The Senate yesterday approved the U.S./Peru Free Trade Agreement (FTA), sending the measure to the President for his signature.  

International Floral Distributors (IFD) announced this fall that it has established an award in honor Dave Mears, AAF, one of its founders and key leaders who passed away Jan. 17, 2007.

The benefits of sympathy flowers got attention recently in an article on FuneralWire.com. "Flowers are a tremendous gift," said the article's author, Kim Stacey, to E-Brief editors. "This article was from the heart."

SAF member, past American Floral Endowment board member and lifelong florist James Earl Durio died Nov. 20, 2007. He was owner of Durio's Flower Shop and Jim Durio Florist, Inc., in Opelousas, La., and a longtime member, director and president of the Louisiana State Florists Association.

In an effort to get its brand name out to more consumers, while at the same time working to have more of an impact on communities, Rio Roses, headquartered in Miami, has begun sponsoring numerous celebrity and charitable events.

It's that time of year. You're busily working trying to get those orders filled, installments done, and event work blocked out, while choreographing your own holiday season — gift lists, meal plans and calming your mother-in-law down about holiday dinner plans. It's the life of a florist, and you've come to accept it — but the American Psychological Association (APA) warns the mental juggle could have an affect on your health as well as your work.

When the boss is away, the employees will play, according to new research that examines the connection between poor employee performance and poor management.

Looking for simple ways to pamper your staff during the holiday rush? Setting out a tray of Christmas cookies may do more harm than good.

Hoping to either meet or exceed the success of the business’s Cyber Monday promotion from the previous year, Phoenix Flower Shops sent out an e-mail to customers promoting its 2-day “Cyber Weekend Savings” online sale, on the Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving.

The word is out ... SAF's popular Congressional Reception returns to the Cannon Caucus Room as the delightful closing event of Congressional Action Days, February 25-26 in Washington, D.C. Veterans will find something new this time.

• Deadline for SAF Awards nominations and PFCI and AAF applications: Feb. 1, 2008.
• SAF's Congressional Action Days: Feb. 25-26, 2008, in Washington, D.C. Register online.
• SAF's Pest Management Conference: Feb. 28-March 1, 2008, in Atlanta. Register online.
• SAF Palm Beach 2008: Sept. 17-20, 2008, at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Fla.

Inquiring minds (i.e. E-Brief editors) want to know: what is on your holiday wish list for your business? A new gadget or product to help increase efficiency? More time to start a really creative e-mail marketing campaign? A super-powered rose that smells nice AND can do your accounting? Send us your business-related wishes to vmachir@safnow.org and we'll print the best ones in E-Brief. As an added incentive, everyone who writes in by Dec. 19 and includes their company's name and mailing address in their e-mail will receive a FREE copy of SAF's "The Marketing Edge" to help power up their marketing campaigns in the New Year.

Added bonus: Place your order over the phone and mention your coupon in the back of SAF's 2007-2008 Resource Guide to receive free shipping (on orders totaling $50 or less)

One florist is looking for a company that will imprint cello wrap with his business' logo. Any ideas?

About 78 percent of florists responding to the previous week's e-poll said that selling gift cards or certificates is not a significant part of their business during the holiday season. About 13 percent said they don't sell gift cards, and 9 percent said that gift cards or certificates are a significant part of their holiday business.

Retail florists hired an extra 32,000 employees over the Christmas holidays in 2006, according to SAF's post-Christmas online survey.