Its is always great to hear from delegates and find out their ideas and views….Which is why we are constantly listening to what people say.
Following last January’s show we received lots of comments – here are just a few.
Hi Marcus
I know you like feedback from the SFE so here goes:
Thanks for this Cindy, my comments in red.
Registration was brilliant. No waiting at all, nice helpful lady on the desk and registered in 2 minutes and then on to another equally helpful lady for the teach in tickets which also only took a couple of minutes. That was about 9.45am on Sunday. At previous shows I have waited up to half an hour - mega frustration and aggravation as I felt that I was wasting good time that had been paid for. So top marks for registration.
I thought the show was smaller than usual with less exhibitors, no colleges and some of the large flower importers were missing. Few new products...but that may just be because there are fewer this year! Much fewer competition entries this year too.
This year we had 69 exhibitors plus the displays form various companies. Last year there were 59, we did move the entire floor through 45 degrees to allow more space in the aisles - this may have created the impression of fewer exhibitors. There were a few notable absences - one being Country Baskets - who were in last time but not this time, and Interflora. I guess it will have to take pressure from delegates direct to these two to get a change of heart from them. Or maybe next time they will come in under their own steam - who knows?
Ethnic teach in sessions were good and I learned a lot about different cultures wedding customs. I think it unlikely that an English florist would get many Asian weddings as they would probably prefer to keep to their own community for their special events. But the knowledge gained is always excellent to have as you never know what will happen in the future.
I'm delighted that the ethnic weddings proved to be educational - this is one of the things we were trying to achieve. If I were you, I would make contact with Maz of Leicester - the people who know all about the Asian weddings. In the next month they will start their wedding season and will be handling anything up to 20 weddings each weekend - all over the country. They are looking for florists who now know how to achieve what the client wants as they simply cannot handle all the work that they get.
So the bottom line is that they will get the bookings in, and you should let them know that you are able to do the work. Their number is 0116 268 0822 - and you may want to get on one of the Metz courses so you are fully up and running - Metz are on 003 1 174 747 430 - Good Luck!
I enjoyed the show.
Cindy Prescott
This is the best bit of all - when there is a time that we don't enjoy what we are doing.. well that's the time to pack up and go home. Thanks again for letting me know your thoughts, it is very much appreciated and thanks you for coming to the show.
Kind regards
Marcus
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Thank you for inviting me to the SFE. It was my first time attending this event and I was very satisfied with the outcome. It was organised very well and I am grateful that I was introduced to Rob Wallace. He is a great designer. The location of the venue was very convenient and I hope it will be used for future events. I have a favour to ask, if you happen to see an article on Florigene in a UK floral magazine could you please send me a copy? I noticed that the winner of the floral design competition used Florigene flowers in her design, she had a professional photographer take some photos but I am not sure in which magazines they will be shown. Thank you in advance.
Hope to see you next year at SFE.
Best regards,
Helene Howard
Studio in the Crypt - Hampstead, London
Studio in the Cellar - Smethwick, West Midlands
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Hi Marcus
I thought the show on Monday was well worth the visit – thank you for sorting out the ticket/ e-mail issue for me.
Could you please forward to me e-mail details for Aviva Eckstein? She did not have a card with her, when we spoke and I would be interested in contacting her for the training for the preparation of wedding flowers for Jewish weddings.
Hope you can help
Kind Regards
Martin Clarke
Hi Martin,
I’m delighted that you thought the show was worth coming to, and am pleased that you made the journey. Aviva’s email is ??????????????????? . Alternatively you should contact Metz – speak with Mieke Ovaergaag – her email is mov@metz.com as she is the lady who is actually coordinating them all.
Thanks again for the email and thanks for coming to the show,
Kind Regards
Marcus
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Hi M
many thanks -
whilst writing could you please add my e-mail details to your mailing list? I would want to come to future events!
Kind regards M
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Dear Sir,
I have been attending your show annually for a few years now and have on occasion entered some competitions! I have always been impressed by layout, organisation, help of officials and the high standard generally.
Yesterday my colleague and I attended one of the seminars. We were very excited and were really looking forward to being inspired (as has always happened in the past). Unfortunately, this was not the case. There was a lack of variation in items constructed, not much was spoken about and there was, for the first time ever, a lack of ‘buzz’ in the room. We also feel that we didn’t really learn anything and therefore felt really disappointed.
Everything else about the show was very enjoyable – many thanks.
I am sorry to complain, but I feel that if you have feedback, this will enable you to ensure the success of future shows.
Thank you for listening!
Yours faithfully,
Cindy Prescott,
Scents of Occasion
Dear Cindy,
I value your thoughts and opinions extremely highly and will certainly take on board what you have said.
While yours is the only comment I have had of this sort it makes it no less relevant and I thank you again for taking the time to let me know what you thought.
I do hope the rest of the show met with your expectations (if not exceeded them)
Yours sincerely,
Marcus
Show Organiser
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Sent: 24 January 2008 22:10
This thread is located at:
http://www.floristnews.co.uk/florist-shop/3415-sfe-birmingham-new-post.html
Here is the message that has just been posted:
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Our first time at the ICC and the SFE event and we thoroughly enjoyed the two days. Saw some incredible designs and the hall was full of some amazing creative people. It was also nice putting faces to some of us here on the website especially meeting up with Carrington, Pottyaboutflowers and a few others in the VIP room. Couldn't resist a visit to Country Baskets - wow what a huge place! We spent over 3 hours shopping and filling up 2 shopping trolleys, enough retail therapy to last us a few days
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Dear Marcus,
Many thanks for you email…. Once again well done on a great show on Sunday it is great to see so much talent and design under one roof, really worth the journey – even Brendan (the flower shop owner) was impressed.
Annette Foster
Olivers Flowers
Armagh
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