Flowers exported to the United States from Colombia may be given permanent duty-free access if Congress approves a controversial trade pact sent by President Bush on Monday.

A bill that would cripple any chance of passing real immigration reform during this Congress by forcing a tough vote on enforcement-only legislation is getting closer to the House floor. 

Small industry suppliers now have more affordable access to the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD). The new Regional Partner AIFD designation gives suppliers, including local wholesalers, regional sales representatives and local distributors, access to select marketing benefits.

How to differentiate your business tops the agenda of the 23rd annual Seeley Conference at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., June 21-24.

Hortica Insurance & Employee Benefits has announced Mona Haberer as the new company president and CEO, effective as of April 1, 2008. Haberer takes over the position from Robert McClellan, who is set to retire in July after 21 years with the company.

John Hanford Jr., 85, WWII veteran and floral and gift industry leader, died of heart failure on April 7, 2008, at his home in Charlotte, N.C. Hanford, president of WF&FSA from 1975-1976, was the older brother of U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Hanford Dole (R-N.C.).

Monday's issue of Woman's World magazine uses SAF research to explain why, "This is a great week to ... Relax by visiting a flower show." It describes the healing power of flowers: "Flowers can bring us closer to loved ones! The first thing they make us want to do is share them, elevating each other's spirits and strengthening our bonds, explains Rutgers University researchers. Now that's flower power!"

A recent segment on the Chicago-based ABC-7 morning news show urged consumers to think ahead and order their prom flowers early from florists and offered tips on "picking the perfect blooms."

While the longtime couple and Grammy-winning artists Beyoncé (R&B) and Jay-Z (rap) won't confirm whether they are married, one thing is confirmed — Amy Vongpitaka of Amy's Orchids got some prime coverage on Access Hollywood on Monday, for her connection to the duo's alleged recent nuptials.

Small business employees typically chose coverage under their spouse's insurance when their husband or wife works at a larger firm, a recent study reports.

Thinking of "going green" by changing a few light bulbs in your showroom? If you're hoping to use that eco-friendly change as the center of your next marketing campaign, think again.

Looking for new ways to build your customer base and diversify your sales? Ken Young, AAF, of Phoenix Flower Shops in Arizona highly recommends capitalizing on "local flavors" of your region.

SAF wants to help you market your floral business for Administrative Professionals Week (APW)/Professional Secretaries Week (April 20-26). Take advantage of the online resources available on SAF'S Web site. There, you'll find Business-to-Business materials, offering a large number of promotional tools, advancing the findings of SAF's Impact of Flowers and Plants on Workplace Productivity Study. The study proves flowers and plants in the workplace increase productivity and inspire better business ideas. SAF provides members with valuable downloadable resources like a library of B2B sales tools and promotional ideas including discount cards and fliers. Sample press releases and radio scripts are also available.

• "Keys to Communication" by SAF's PFCI featuring Sharon McGukin, AAF, AIFD, PFCI: July 7, 2-3 p.m. in Chicago, in conjunction with the AIFD National Symposium.
• SAF Palm Beach 2008: Sept. 17-20, 2008, at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Fla.

Our story about SAF's Can We Bury "In Lieu of Flowers"? ad campaign in the National Funeral Directors Association's magazine captured the most E-brief "clicks" last week. Here are the "top-5" stories readers found of interest.

Help get better benefits for you and your employees by enrolling in ScriptSave, a premier prescription savings program. This no-cost prescription drug savings program is available to SAF members, their employees, and even employees' families. The program can save members an average of 22 percent on brand name and generic prescriptions with the possibility of saving up to 50 percent based on national program savings data! The ScriptSave card is accepted at more than 53,000 participating chain and independent pharmacies nationwide. It's a great way for your business to attract and retain quality employees.

 Members certainly have had a lot to say on the discussion forum this past week.

A little more than 63 percent of retailers who responded to last week's e-poll said they had not invited a local funeral director to come and tour their shop.