"As we embark on the third year of the three-year European Union funded program for promoting European flowers in the United States, the Flower Council of Holland's USA team is looking forward to building on the great promotional strides we made in 2006 and 2007."

Event Planners

"Our focus in 2008 will remain on the USA's large and lucrative event planning sector. There is still great untapped sales potential in this sector for European cut flowers. More and more American event planners are now relying on premium European flowers, because of their specialty and novelty selections, for their special events."  

Event Planners Shows / Trade Fairs

"We'll, of course, continue to promote European flowers at trade shows across the USA. In January we will have a large booth at 'The Special Event' show for event planners in Atlanta. Then in November we'll be promoting European flowers at the annual BiZBash Event Show in New York City, where we plan to introduce the third European floral design catalogue for weddings and events."

Europe Trip

"The 'Europe Trip' will also be back by popular demand in 2008. This trip for 12 leading US event planners, offers our American guests an up close and personal view of the Dutch flower industry. During the trip they learn all there is to know about European flowers."

Donations

"The Flower Council continues to look for high profile events in the US to donate European flowers to. Last year flowers were donated to the Award Gala held by the New York Chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences. During this event elegant arrangements of European flowers complemented the glitz of Jon Bon Jovi and Alicia Keys."

Catalogue

"Following the success of our first and second Party Flowers book we publish a new edition entitled "Party Flowers3". This book is a 'must-have' for US floral designers and event planners."

Website

"The Flower Council's website received a great deal of positive feedback from visitors over the past year. It will continue to serve as a vital tool in our strategy for promoting flowers from Holland among US florists and wholesalers. We'll be continuously updating and improving the website throughout the year, as well as expanding the number of subscribers to our monthly newsletter."    

Trade Support

"We will also be offering trade support to our exporters: if one of their US importers needs help organizing an event for florists, we'll provide it. With the fine reputation of European flowers continuing to spread across all sectors of the US floral industry, we are all looking forward to another stellar year promoting European flowers in the USA."

Wedding Shows

"Last but not least, we plan to host two special 'Wedding Shows' in the US in 2008."