SAF’s 2019 Petal It Forward campaign date is set for Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019, and the Society of American Florists is spreading the word to increase industry participation and make it easy for members to start planning their local events now.
“The Petal It Forward concept is simple and easy to do, and it is one of the most engaging floral promotions in the industry’s history,” said SAF Vice President of Marketing Jennifer Sparks. “The ROI is huge for industry participants, as the program’s random-acts-of-kindness premise raises visibility with the local news, social media and consumers.”
Since 2015, the Society of American Florists has choreographed Petal It Forward. What started as an SAF-led promotional event in New York City has grown into a nationwide phenomenon that connects the entire floral industry bringing smiles, hope and encouragement (as well as hugs and tears of joy), and positioning florists as do-gooders in their local communities.
Last year, floral teams in 410 cities in all 50 states, plus Washington, D.C., took to the streets in 457 local Petal It Forward events with one simple goal: Share the power of flowers to strangers, giving them the opportunity to be both a recipient and giver of kindness. Passersby received two bouquets — one to keep, one to share — and were asked to post a picture about it on social media with the hashtag #petalitforward.