BFA President's New Year Message

Dear Fellow Florist

As we come to the end of another year and one that has, to say the least been very challenging I just want to reflect a little on 2009.

The BFA has moved forward with great vigour not just representing florists both here and in Europe, but new member benefits, FleurEx and of course promoting the florist to the public at the RHS shows, Chelsea, Tatton and BBC Gardeners World Live.

Looking ahead to 2010…and yes there is a lot to look forward to, and yes it will still be very challenging as there appears to be no immediate signs that the recovery of the economy will be in the early part of the new year. But I am confident that as florists we have a great passion for what we do and adapt well to change so through these traits I believe we can survive what ever the economic situation is next year.

Towards the end of this year there was lots of talk made about the trade associations, F&PA, Society of Floristry and of course BFA. Now I have to tell you that if there is one goal I would like to achieve it is that we have a strong trade body representing our industry, one that encompasses all facets that will ensure we can not just survive the coming years but actually grow. This can be achieved through working together, better training and education, increasing the profile of professional and retail florists and ensuring that the bottom line of a business is increased through affinity schemes that help to save money.

The BFA is well and truly out in front in achieving a lot of what a strong trade body should be about, we have a number of affinity schemes, from insurance to card processing, fuel cards to HR and employment advice lines. We’re also shouting about the professional florist to hundreds of thousands of consumers at all the RHS shows that we have a presence at, as well as the thousands of visitors to our web-site each month. The one last remaining area as I see it is training.

The Society of Floristry and BFA has been in talks for a few months. They’re now so advanced that following the commitment of the Society Council to see through the joining of our two organisations into one that will see the BFA as the umbrella organisation encompassing all that Society has to offer. It’s strengths in the area of training and education would see a new committee taking on this important aspect of our industry over the coming years. It will also greatly improve the way that we communicate with our members and build on the years of hard work by all those involved in both organisations.

Of course members must want this to happen and I encourage all members of both organisations to get behind the proposals and vote for it! A strong trade association encompassing all that our industry needs, listening, reacting and supporting everyone. The industry must also want this to happen and support us too. We’ve been under going an overview of what we do at the BFA and a strategic business plan with focus groups has been established. Our Patron members have been invited to the first of these focus groups in January with Paul Drabble from CBG who has years of experience in carrying out such reviews. It’s a very exciting time and I am confident will result in what the industry needs, just one strong trade body.

May I take this opportunity of wishing you a very prosperous and healthy New Year!

Mark Ward
President.