#INTHEAIREVERYWHERE
Wednesday
February 5,
2025
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#INTHEAIREVERYWHERE |
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| Vol. 24 No. 5 | Wednesday
February 5,
2025 |
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Petal To The Medal Grows SAF |
With Valentine’s Day love just around the corner, featuring flowers tentatively scheduled to appear everywhere in the next few weeks, here is a smiling group of floriculturists attending a trade show event all about the flower business. The catch is that these nice looking folks are all under 45 years of age attending an event dubbed “NextGen Live!”. If you think air cargo might benefit from flowering events taking place elsewhere, please read on. Next Gen Live! is organized by The Society of American Florists (SAF) Maybe you’ve never heard of this group, but SAF was chartered in 1884 by an Act of the U.S. Congress. SAF was formed in Chicago by 21 members of the American Association of Nurserymen, Florists and Seedsmen, all growers and associated others with need to gain hail insurance security to survive the at-times furious and destructive mid-western USA weather. Annual membership dues in SAF way back when, were two dollars. Interestingly, 1884 was the same year the Statue of Liberty arrived in New York Harbor from France. We, in the air cargo industry, tend to think about flowers in February and during other occasions like Easter, but what about considering the values of an organization like SAF, that in 2025 has plenty of regional events and holds its annual big convention in August. As example, SAF during the flower-driven season of love operates an intriguing event targeted at attracting new members and connecting with everyone “45 or under,” branded Nex Gen Live! Next Gen Live for two days, jam packed with 23 speakers all under 45, is being held this month in Dallas, Texas February 23-25, as hundreds of young people, both members and others are registered there to kick the tires. The concentrated two-day encounter features eleven sessions, offering numerous networking opportunities during breaks, luncheons, and receptions, designed to help meet new peers and make valuable connections. “Join us and learn.” SAF promises NexGen Live! attendees some hands-on advice declaring: “Curious how SAF can help you grow? “Our Floral Education resource collection will offer a sample of the content that SAF provides to its members.” Interestingly, in this digital landscape SAF has aimed a direct connection with Nex Gen sponsoring monthly events such as an under 45 SAF Next Gen Floral Pros Facebook Group that welcomes “all up-and-coming retail florists, flower growers, wholesalers, suppliers and floral designers.” And of course, like most trade shows anywhere in the world, Next Gen Live! offers Awards: “The Next Gen Rising Star Award is given to a young floral industry professional in recognition of professional achievements and commitment to the industry.” Nice thing here is that “the award” is not a “vote for one and done” deal. SAF says that when someone is nominated for an award, they stay active and in the running for votes as a possible award winner for three years. Keep thinking, why is it that air cargo events and publications, some, who make a living with awards and dinners don’t offer nominees three-year eligibility to win? Both readers and award nominees deserve a second chance. Over the years a lesson learned is that the key of any organized effort to better an industry is in no small part the ability to generate inclusive ideas as part of its an ongoing effort to attract new people. Nice to see SAF, an organization that began licking stamps and hand lettering invitations to gain members 141 years ago, is still strong, whilst firmly dedicated to building leadership by staying vibrant and wholeheartedly attracting younger people! Bravo SAF! GDA |
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 Vol. 24 No. 2 Port Strike Averted Chuckles for January 14, 2025 EMO Trans By The Book Fruit Logistica February 5 |
 Vol. 24 No. 3 Air Cargo At The Kursaal Chuckles for January 24, 2024 Scoring Between Flights Year Of The Snake A Tale Of Two Airports |
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Publisher-Geoffrey Arend • Managing
Editor-Flossie Arend • Editor Emeritus-Richard Malkin |
Send comments and news to geoffrey@aircargonews.com
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