OFA to host ‘Grow & Sell for Profit Conference’

The OFA Grow & Sell for Profit Conference is scheduled for Nov. 8-9, 2011 in Raleigh, N.C. OFA – The Association of Horticulture Professionals is partnering with the North Carolina Commercial Flower Growers Association, the South Carolina Greenhouse Growers Association, and the Virginia Flower Growers Association on this education event.

For growers, a three-part series on minimizing shrink at the grower level will be one of the event’s features. Industry experts Brian Whipker, Kelly Ivors, Steve Frank, and Juang Horng Chong, will share practical solutions to combat shrink to rev up one’s business. In addition, James Gibson and Roberto Lopez will present a two-part series on production inputs for growing quality crops to get maximum dollar returns. Their focus will be on water, media, nutrition, light, and temperature.

Other grower topics include new crops that create consumer excitement; energy saving technology; packaging for profit; breaking into retail; effective PGR strategies; production inputs, and industry trends.

Profit Connection is an area where growers and retailers will get one-on-one time with industry experts like Charlie Hall and Bridget Behe to answer questions one may have.

Merchandising principles will be the focus for the garden center tour. Two area retailers, Homewood Nursery & Garden Center and Logan Trading Company, will showcase innovative yet practical merchandising solutions.

Social media experts Heather Claus and Katie Elzer-Peters of The Garden Words will hold “office hours” on Wednesday, November 9 to help attendees better understand how to use social media to boost their bottom line.

Garden center sessions include secrets of successful selling, profitable events in the garden center, relational retailing, customer service, and finding your niche. The conference’s trade show will have nearly 40 vendors from across the country.

Embassy Suites Raleigh-Durham/Research Triangle in Cary, North Carolina, will host the conference. The registration fee is $149($99 for OFA members) includes lunch on the trade show floor and allows additional staff to register at $49.

Additional information is available online at www.ofa.org.