UNION FLEURS - International Flower Trade Association

Heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Dutch Flower Group for the special recognition given at the 2024 Dutch Flower Awards Ceremony last week during the RFH Trade Fair in Aalsmeer! I am honoured, proud and humbled to have been put in such a spotlight on behalf of UNION FLEURS - International Flower Trade Association, alongside Matthijs Mesken and Floor Schamp (M.A) from our Dutch member association the VGB. Dutch Association of Wholesalers in Floricultural Products. The work carried out by trade associations, either at international or at national level, is often done in the background 'behind the scenes' and usually with long-term perspectives - as we do our best to serve the common interests of our members, anticipate and tackle policy and regulatory issues on their behalf, in order to secure market access and a workable policy environment. So our members can do their business in a seamless manner and keep supplying beautiful flowers & plants to the market, for the ultimate delight and well-being of consumers. To keep delivering on our collective mission as associations, collaboration and trust with our members is essential. Dutch Flower Group Executive Committee members, present and past, have consistenly and over the years supported the activities of UNION FLEURS - International Flower Trade Association. "Long-term partnerships" was a perfect theme for this year's Dutch Flower Awards and for this special recognition. From a personal level: may I express here my gratitude and my thanks to all of them for the very pleasant cooperation, the unwavering support and for always going the extra mile to show their appreciation. Merci beaucoup à vous tous! Marcel Zandvliet Jan van Dam Joost Gietelink Michel van Hout Marco Van Zijverden Harry Brockhoff And sincere congratulations to all the nominees and winners of these 2024 Dutch Flower Awards! Read the full press release here for more details: https://lnkd.in/ex-Nd84v; 📷: Melinda-Lou van der Linden fotomel.nl / Augusto Solano ASOCOLFLORES #dutchflowerawards2024 #dutchflowergroup #makinglifecolourful #flowerpower #cooperation #tradeassociations

FLORIFORUM 2024 | We look back with pride and great satisfaction on a stimulating and energizing afternoon at the start of the flower fairs’ week in the Netherlands with a very successful #Floriforum2024 on 4 November in the #IFTF Auditorium! Our heartfelt thanks go to our keynote speaker Jan van Dam, CEO of Dutch Flower Group, to our top panellists Sibbe Krol (Bloom & Wild Group), Yvonne Watzdorf (Flower Council of Holland, Ian McNair (Fleurop Interflora Global Flower Services , James MacGregor (Fairmiles and Simon Derrick (Fairmiles / Blue Skies) for their engaging and expert contributions on the topic " Cultivating Sustainability Together, Shaping Tomorrow's Floriculture", and to Arnold Wittkamp (Thursd.) for his eye-opening inputs on AI. Not to forget Augusto Solano, President of ASOCOLFLORES and UNION FLEURS - International Flower Trade Association for his introduction and our skilled moderator Simone van Trier for her unmatchable energy and masterful guidance! We are also very grateful to the 250+ industry participants who all took time out of their busy schedules to join the conversation and share their views, and helped make this event a very rewarding success! Although we should all remain humble and acknowledge that #sustainability is a journey and improvements are always possible, the floriculture industry should also embrace its achievements and tell its story proactively and confidently. As society and consumers are changing and public scrutiny is growing, we should be prepared with a collective and positive narrative that all industry professionals can be the proud ambassadors of. The floriculture value chain is in many instances a pioneer in sustainable and #responsible practices and our beautiful #flowers and plants bring unmatched social and well-being benefits to people. Let's strenghten our collective voice through the power of #cooperation! Together, we can only be stronger! If not yet done: any attendee who wishes to continue being part of this conversation and to contribute to the follow up of #Floriforum2024 is invited to send their name and contact details to: contact@floriforum.com #Floriforum2024 was organised by UNION FLEURS - International Flower Trade Association in partnership with Floriculture Sustainability Initiative. Many thanks to our sponsors: HPP Exhibitions, for their support and for hosting us in the IFTF auditorium, and Kuehne+Nagel. 📸 Rob Metsers Fotografie / Sylvie Mamias #floriforum2024 #jointheconversation #conference #floriculture #sustainability #flowerpower #cooperation Sylvie Mamias UNION FLEURS - International Flower Trade Association Jeroen Oudheusden Floriculture Sustainability Initiative Jasper van Dijk MBA Dick van Raamsdonk HPP Exhibitions

EVENT | Floriforum: “Cultivating Sustainability Together - Shaping Tomorrow's Floriculture” (4 November 2024) : Meet the panellists   UNION FLEURS - International Flower Trade Association and Floriculture Sustainability Initiative are pleased to announce the confirmed lineup of panellists who have all accepted the invitation to contribute to a stimulating conversation at Floriforum on Monday 4 November afternoon (4pm-6pm) in the auditorium of IFTF on the eve of the opening of the trade show: • Sibbe Krol, Director of Sustainability, Bloom & Wild Group • Yvonne Watzdorf, Managing Director of the Flower Council of Holland • Dominic Weston, Director Product and Supply Interflora UK & Ireland and Sustainability Manager Fleurop Interflora Global Flower Services • On behalf of the Fairmiles initiative: Simon Derrick, Global Head of Sustainability Blue Skies and James MacGregor, Development Economist and author of the ‘Fair Miles: recharting the food miles map’ They will join on stage Jan van Dam, CEO of Dutch Flower Group, following his opening keynote speech and will share their views and insights with the audience through a mix of short presentations and moderated panel discussions. The conversation will focus on the important steps we collectively need to take for both B2B and B2C communication, aiming to share knowledge and best practices in order to create a unified, positive message. This approach will help sustain the future of the flowers and plants market and keep attracting the consumers of tomorrow. Professional moderator Simone van Trier will conduct the programme and facilitate interaction and co-creation with the audience to ensure a dynamic and stimulating afternoon.   Interested to attend? Registration to Floriforum is free of charge and still open to qualified participants directly involved in the international floriculture industry. But seats are almost sold out. If you are not yet registered, don’t miss out and sign up now using the conference registration form here to join the conversation: https://shorturl.at/ZKIgn   More info: https://lnkd.in/exnuGqjS Floriforum is organised by UNION FLEURS - International Flower Trade Association in partnership with Floriculture Sustainability Initiative and sponsored by HPP Exhibitions and Kuehne+Nagel. It will take place on Monday 4 November 2024 from 4pm to 6pm in the auditorium of IFTF, EXPO Greater Amsterdam in Vijfhuizen, the Netherlands and will be followed by a networking cocktail at 6pm. A welcome coffee will be offered to attendees from 3pm.   #floriforum2024 #jointheconversation #conference #sustainability #floriculture

EVENT | Floriforum: “Cultivating Sustainability Together - Shaping Tomorrow's Floriculture” (4 November 2024) : Keynote speaker announced   UNION FLEURS - International Flower Trade Association and Floriculture Sustainability Initiative are pleased to announce Jan van Dam, CEO of Dutch Flower Group, as the keynote speaker to open Floriforum, taking place on Monday 4 November afternoon on the eve of the opening of IFTF at EXPO Greater Amsterdam in Vijfhuizen, the Netherlands. He will set the scene and inspire the afternoon programme with stimulating perspectives on the theme “Cultivating Sustainability Together – Shaping Tomorrow’s Floriculture”.   After the keynote speech, there will be panel discussions led by a moderator. Panellists from different parts of the industry will share their thoughts and contribute to the discussion with transparent and data-driven insights. The conversation will focus on the important steps we collectively need to take for both B2B and B2C communication, aiming to create a unified, positive message. This approach will help sustain the future of the flowers and plants market and keep attracting the consumers of tomorrow. Professional moderator Simone van Trier will conduct the programme and facilitate interaction and co-creation with the audience to ensure a dynamic and stimulating afternoon.   Interested to attend? Registration to Floriforum is free of charge and still open to qualified participants directly involved in the international floriculture industry. But seats are almost sold out. If you are not yet registered, don’t miss out and sign up now using the conference registration form here to join the conversation: https://shorturl.at/ZKIgn     Floriforum is organised by UNION FLEURS - International Flower Trade Association in partnership with Floriculture Sustainability Initiative and sponsored by HPP Exhibitions and Kuehne+Nagel. It will take place on Monday 4 November 2024 from 4pm to 6pm in the auditorium of IFTF, EXPO Greater Amsterdam in Vijfhuizen, the Netherlands and will be followed by a networking cocktail at 6pm. A welcome coffee will be offered to attendees from 3pm.   #floriforum2024 #jointheconversation #conference #sustainability #floriculture

Moving onto the next step! Well done Floriculture Sustainability Initiative on the launch of this benchmarking process. Calling now on all the tool providers out there using #FloriPEFCR methodology to measure the environmental footprint of flowers & plants to make use of this opportunity ! More information on the benchmarking process here: https://lnkd.in/dfniy-Ma UNION FLEURS - International Flower Trade Association is proud to have participated in the FloriPEFCR consortium and supported the work leading to the validation of the guidelines by the European Commission earlier to year.

EVENT | Registration now open for Floriforum international industry conference (4 November 2024): “Cultivating Sustainability Together - Shaping Tomorrow's Floriculture”   Floriforum, organised by UNION FLEURS - International Flower Trade Association Fleurs – International Flower Trade Association in partnership with Floriculture Sustainability Initiative, will take place on Monday 4 November 2024 at 4PM on the eve of the opening of #IFTF in Vijfhuizen, the Netherlands. Dedicated this year to sustainability within the global floriculture industry with the theme “Cultivating Sustainability Together – Shaping Tomorrow’s Floriculture”, this unique conference will offer a space where the international floriculture industry meets for an open conversation on changes and challenges as well as opportunities and future dynamics.   Join us and engage in enlightening panel discussions covering the latest market dynamics and trends, the imperative for sustainability messaging to global buyers, and the crucial task of presenting a unified, positive narrative surrounding floriculture cultivation and trade to sustain the future of flowers and plants.   Interested to attend? You are now invited to register using the conference registration form here: https://shorturl.at/ZKIgn Registration to this conference is free of charge but mandatory. Attendance to the conference will be open to qualified participants directly and actively involved in the international floriculture industry and subject to admittance confirmation. Once your application is processed and approved, you will receive a confirmation of your registration via email. Don’t miss out! Register and join the conversation! More info here: https://lnkd.in/dcaTimR Floriforum will take place on Monday 4 November 2024 from 4pm to 6pm in the auditorium of IFTF, EXPO Greater Amsterdam in Vijfhuizen, the Netherlands. It will be followed by a networking cocktail at 6PM. Floriforum is organised by UNION FLEURS - International Flower Trade Association in partnership with Floriculture Sustainability Initiative and sponsored by HPP Exhibitions Worldwide and Kuehne+Nagel #floriforum2024 #jointheconversation #conference #sustainability #floriculture

TRADE | Today 1 July 2024 marks the entry into force of the Economy Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the #EU and #Kenya. UNION FLEURS - International Flower Trade Association, on behalf of its global membership and the international floriculture supply chain, warmly welcomes this major #milestone. This trade agreement, the most ambitious deal ever negotiated by the EU with an African country in terms of #sustainability, is expected to boost bilateral #trade and #investment flows and to strengthen the strategic ties and partnership between the EU and Kenya, East Africa's major economic hub. More info here: https://lnkd.in/ej648FaX Kenya is a major partner of the #flower supply chain in the EU and supplies quality flowers all year round to the EU market. Economic operators on both sides need to rely on stable and clear market access and investment conditions, thereby securing long-term sustainable growth and new business perspectives. The Kenya flower industry contributes to over 1% of Kenya’s economy and provides vital employment opportunities to more than 1 million people in Kenya, women in particular. It also brings a wealth of financial and social empowerment to local communities in rural areas. Import flows generate in turn valuable economic activity and employment in EU-based flower trading companies, flower auctions, wholesalers, logistics and service providers etc. UNION FLEURS - International Flower Trade Association and its member the Kenya Flower Council have actively supported the EPA negotiation process since its first inception close to 20 years ago. It is highly satisfactory to see this long journey now come to a #blooming achievement, especially in the current challenging times and uncertainties faced by economic operators at all levels. Sincere congratulations and thanks to all involved over the years who have made this happen! Hongera sana! They are too many on both sides to be thanked personally here but they know who they are and should be proud of this achievement. Here's to mutually benefitial #trade relationships and long -term #sustainable economic partnerships! 🇪🇺🤝🇰🇪🌹🌼🌸💐🌱 Kenya Flower Council #EUKenya #TradeAgreement #flowersupplychain #seamlesstrade #marketaccess #flowerpower #sustainablemarketgrowth

WEBINAR | How to ensure a balanced and fair approach to Net Zero & airfreight without stopping vital market access for producers and exporters of fresh produce (fruits, vegetables and flowers) in developing countries? A must-have conversation took place in Brussels earlier this week at the initiative of the Fairmiles consortium, bringing together over 200 stakeholders and interested parties from more than 30 countries. Check out 👇 the recording of the session if you missed it. Impactful contributions from the various speakers and key facts & figures that definitely give food for thought. Just finding out that an estimated 18 million livelihoods in developing countries are being supported, directly or indirectly, by airfreighted fresh produce exports calls for a 'big picture' reflection. With congratulations and thanks to the organisers and speakers for raising awareness on this important issue and for advocating for Net Zero guidance that can help businesses take into account the full direct and indirect impacts, including climate justice implications for vulnerable communities. Consumers and businesses alike, we shall all make an effort to get the facts and the full perspective to be able to take informed decisions and act responsibly and impactfully! Fairmiles COLEAD.link Beanstalk.Global Kenya Flower Council Wester Schepers Simon Derrick James MacGregor Dr Ebenezer Laryea Martijn Boelen Jeremy Knops Clement Tulezi Simone van Trier #fairmiles #horticulture #airfreight #SDGs #flowerpower #freshproduce #marketaccess #perishabletrade

UNION FLEURS - International Flower Trade Association welcomes the decision of the UK to suspend import tariff duties on all cut flowers, with effect from 11 April 2024 and until 30 June 2026. The tariff suspension at 0% applies irrespective of the origin country and for unlimited quantities and is expected to directly benefit cut flowers of non-EU origin routed and traded via the EU, ultimately securing seamless markets & trade for all flower suppliers and benefitting businesses and consumers in the UK. Union Fleurs has deployed intensive efforts since 2020 to bring this tariff issue to the attention of the British government in close cooperation with industry stakeholders across our membership in the #UK, #Netherlands and #Kenya in particular. This new measure introduced by the UK is a direct testament to the importance and relevance of industry #cooperation to resolve disruptive settings impacting existing international supply chains and to support Governments in making informed decisions securing, in practice, a level-playing field. Our thanks go to all those involved who have contributed in reaching this positive achievement, UK officials and industry stakeholders alike. Read more here: https://t.ly/xbrZu https://t.ly/4lOYM #industrycooperation #trade #flowerpower #seamlesstrade VGB. Dutch Association of Wholesalers in Floricultural Products Kenya Flower Council Royal FloraHolland

On this International Women's Day, a shout-out to all the amazing #women in the #floriculture industry who strive to keep it thriving! May they be recognised, appreciated, encouraged, empowered, applauded and celebrated! And may they continue to inspire! 🌸💐🌷🌹🌻🪴🌿 #IWD2024 #InvestInWomen #InternationalWomensDay #InspireInclusion