Over 80 Wholesale Florists and Suppliers Gather in Minneapolis for Hands-On Development Experience

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On July 27-29, Minneapolis became the central hub for members of the Wholesale Florist & Florist Supplier Association (WF&FSA) to share in on a unique opportunity experiencing personalized education, hands-on training, and a road trip to several industry and company locations. For 39 years, the association has provided unmatched educational programs for members to interact with industry peers. The Development Experience (DevX), formerly Management Institute, is a better way to describe this premier event.

Over half of those who participated were first-time attendees sharing similar sentiments relating to the program’s overall value to business operations. “I absolutely loved the road trip,” stated one attendee. “It was so awesome to see how some of our customers operate in real time and gain a better understanding of their business.”

Stops on the road trip included a visit to Koehler & Dramm, Tonkadale Greenhouse, well-known retailer Bachmans, and concluded with a night at Len Busch Roses—owned and operated by WF&FSA President Patrick Busch.

Education for the three-day event included sessions from sales strategist and leadership expert Meridith Elliott Powel, as well as sales trainer and author Paul Reilly. Dynamic in both content and delivery, attendees gained valuable knowledge applicable to current business practices. A networking lunch and discussion took place on July 28, followed by an offsite reception at Punch Bowl Social which allowed for additional time to engage with colleagues over drinks, food, and games.

The Flower Movement, WF&FSA’s newest initiative, was also on full display. As a precursor to Flower Movement Awareness Week, DevX attendees assembled at Len Busch Roses to take part in some competitive fun for charity. Dividing into several groups, teams went head-to-head to create floral bouquets which were later delivered to a local charity.

Overall, DevX was an immense success with over 88% of attendees saying it either met or exceeded their expectations. We are looking forward to planning an even more engaging event for 2023.

Visit wffsa.org to view photos from the event.

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