New connexion , earth - class education , and a big perspective of the floral manufacture — all in a finish urban center . The Society of American Florists ' Next Gen LIVE ! conference Feb. 25 - 27 in San Diego is a one - of - a - form industry experience for floral pros from all segment of the industry who are 45 days old and younger . That ’s because the education , networking , and activity are designed for and by the Next Gen to help them arise in their careers . SAF News Now supervise editor in chief Amanda Jedlinsky utter with two San Diego - based SAF Next Gen commission members about what to expect . Make New ConnectionsThis result is n’t just for florists . It pull young professional from across the industriousness together to support each other as they learn and maturate together . “Next Gen is such a majuscule community , " says Next Gen committee member and the recipient of SAF ’s maiden Next Gen Rising Star award , Nicole Palazzo , AAF . " We ’ve really found our the great unwashed . “That community of interests has forged long - distance friendships and mentorships that traverse across the supply chain — and the globe . The group keeps in steady contact via a private Facebook group and monthly practical meetups . The consequence is also a nifty style for floral professional to assemble and blab out with newfangled vendors , from growers to tech providers and manufacturing business , whose good are on presentation throughout the league . take and GrowThe Department of Education at Next Gen LIVE ! is tailored for young professional with the direction of the Next Gen committee . Education focuses on leadership skills , mathematical product maturation , data - driven decision - fashioning , navigating workplace conflicts , using technology to ameliorate processes , and how to propose new ideas . ( See the full schedule here.)“A grownup part of what we are doing at Next Gen is help oneself [ immature flowered pro ] sympathize that if you want this to not just be a job , but if you want this to be a career , there are pathways to that , " tell Next Gen Committee member Sam Bowles , AAF , general director and originative manager at Allen ’s Flowers & Plants . " I have n’t seen or get word yet someone who did n’t come back with more ideas , more vigor , and ready to try affair out in their part . “Tour Flower FarmsOne of the most unparalleled outcome at Next Gen LIVE ! is the chance to tour two field bloom farm , including Mellano & Company , a 365 - acre farm producing dozens of varieties of greens , swerve heyday , and plants , and Kendall Farms , a 500 - acre farm that grows eucalyptus and wax bloom among other varieties . attendant will also call the San Diego Flower Market . ( The tours are an extra fee , which includes lunch and transportation.)“The median person in a flower shop is only see the flower that make out through their door , " says Palazzo , a fourth - propagation florist at City Line Florist in Trumbull , Connecticut , who works remotely from San Diego as the workshop ’s marketing scheme manager . " To see the whole supply string and how it puzzle out — it is so worthful . It ’s really important . “See San DiegoSan Diego , know for its modest year - bout climate and extensive beach and ballpark , is a popular address . It ’s also the metropolis that Palazzo and Bowles call rest home , and they ’ve been work on tight with SAF to see to it the event showcases the good the city has to volunteer at an affordable price . “We did check that that everything is low-priced because we cognise businesses are going to be post their staff , " Palazzo pronounce . The event hotel is a five - minute drive from the airport and just $ 189 per night when hold by Jan. 5 . The hotel is also in close proximity to downtown San Diego , make up it easy for attendant to search the city before or after the event . “Believe me , this is not going to disappoint , " Palazzo state .
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