Classes and Descriptions

• Niche Marketing – Affordable designs that sell – Lori Reid
  Which niche market is flourishing?  Apartment Complex, Hospitality, Conventions and Tourism?  Learn who to contact, what to say, and what to show to seize the business and meet their budget needs.
• Logos, Labels and Imprinting – Wendy Bentley and Lori Reid
  Little details make BIG results.  Learn how to impress your customers with very little invested.  We’ll show you how to use cello, ribbon, labels, and imprinted ribbon to make the sale and increase perceived value.
• Reach and Keep Your Client / Concierge Partnership – Vivian Shiffman / Lori Reid
  How to work with concierges and learn what the percentages are for someone else taking orders for you. We’ll tell you how it works. Here’s your blueprint for success! You’ve made the contact, set the appointment…now what? You’ll have the complete package of what to “leave behind” as you conclude your presentation. This class will provide you with samples of Introduction Letters, Follow-up Letters, suggested leave behind gift and information that will guarantee a call back for orders!
• Shrink Wrap Made Easy! Really! – Art Marko
  Art will show you the best techniques to shrink under the handle and over the handle to have your gift basket designs reach their destinations exactly how you intended them to arrive … he’ll teach you all you need to know.
• Seven Layer Cookie Bar  –  Marley Majcher
  Come learn the seven key “touches” that will help you gain the corporate clients you really want.  This recipe is a step by step proven process that when practiced, you will be enjoying the sweet taste of success!
• The Party Doesn’t Start Until The Balloons Arrive!   –   Robin NiCastro, CBA
  From small bouquets to combination bouquets of latex and mylar.  Robin has the latest design combinations that will help generate an increase in your sales!
• Details! Details!! Details!!!  –  Emma Alvarez, CBA
• Here Comes the Bride!  Everything you need to know!  –  Mary Jo Gallegos
  Brides are a booming business – love is year round!  Come learn from the Wedding Expert all you need to know to help your brides have their magical moment, a reality.
• Big, Bold, Beautiful Balloons!  Columns, Arches and More!  –  Robin NiCastro 
  Whatever the celebration – balloon décor will definitely create the atmosphere to bring the entire event together!  Robin will show you tips on how to put columns and arches chandeliers and walls together.  Yes, this is a hands-on class!
• Floral “Center of Attention” Centerpiece Class  –  Joe Guggia, AIFD    
  Joe will show you the latest trends in centerpieces that with a few additions can go from “everyday design to showy displays”  Hands-on workshop.   Tools required:  Florist knife, ribbon scissors, wire cutters
• Link-O-Loons – Endless possibilities!  –  Emma Alvarez
  This class is extra special because Emma Alvarez is the actual inventor and owns the patent on the Link-O-Loon balloon!  These special balloons ease the balloon tying and truly have a dramatic look!  Come have fun with this hands-on class and learn to earn more dollars!
• Get a Grip on Basket Construction – Vivian Shiffman
  Use trend-based, profitable basket construction and purchase inventory of “no-fail” product categories.  Develop themes for your target market.  This hands-on class will show you how to get a grip on designs to fit everyday occasions and year round holidays.
• Themed Balloon Centerpieces For All Occasions!  –  Robin NiCastro, CBA
  Baby Shower, Birthday, Casino Night, Bridal Shower…Robin will show you simple techniques that will have your clients hiring you for all of their special events!
• Work the Room! (Opening Rally) – Vivian, Mark, Joe, Robin, Wendy, and Lori
  Don’t be a wall flower. Enjoy this networking session to get a grip on the powerful tools that you need to bulldoze sagging confidence levels and nail that contact!
• Cover Your Assets! From Concept to Completion!  –
  You have to protect yourself when someone places an order.  From small to large orders, we’ll give you the forms you need from a proposal to delivery log sheet.
• No Frou Frou Without The Due Due (Due Diligence that is!) – Mark Zettler
  Sure, you make great gift baskets and balloons, but how do you sell these items over and over? How do you market your business in the 21st Century? Is keeping your books current a problem? Do you really understand the power of Facebook, Twitter and now Pinterest? Do you have a website and really use it to its fullest potential?  If any of this sounds confusing, lets sort it all out in this fast paced class of what you need to know to organize and energize the business side and online side of your company.
• Picture This!  A picture is worth a thousand words! – Mark Zettler/Barry Barthe
  Cameras are everywhere today–in your pocket, in your phone, online, offline. It’s hard to keep up!  Learn how to take the perfect picture of your designs for your catalogs, brochures, and website.  Pictures really do speak volumes about your designs.  If your photos don’t look good, YOU don’t look good.  Let Mark and Barry help you raise the level of your design work simply by showing you how to take great photographs every time.  Bring your camera!
• Toot Your Own Horn! – Lori Reid
  No one else can sell your business than YOU!  Learn how to let everyone know about all of your successes from winning awards, featured articles in the newspaper, and press releases.
• Database Management Made Easy – Wendy Bentley
  Which to use?  Constant Contact, ACT or Outlook?  Which software is right for you?  We’ll help you understand database management and the benefits of keeping in touch with your customers.
• Dollars and “Sense” – Mark Zettler, CBA
  Let this industry veteran of over 30 years in the business of balloons show you quick and easy methods to save time and money with your decorating and business decisions. This fast paced class will feature common sense ideas for centerpiece construction, basic balloon inflation, tying and arch work. A number of simple business issues will also be discussed as you learn to look at the business of balloons and gift baskets in a new, simpler and more realistic way.
• Business Facts – Basics to Entreprenuer – Panel Discussion
  Home-base or commercial lease?  What inventory to buy?  Ship or delivery?  So many questions! We’re here to answer all your questions and show you what’s worked for us and why.  Shop smart and learn to price your baskets and make a profit.
• They Can Have It All:  Gift Baskets/Florals/Balloons  –   Joe Guggia, AIFD, Wendy Bentley, and Vivian Shiffman    
  This combined seminar of mixed talent will reaffirm your need to diversify and join forces with separate entities that can be add on sales to your gifting business.
• Gift Marketing 101 / Year Round Accounts – Wendy Bentley
  Look what you can do with publisher, a color printer, and a little imagination!  Learn how to do your own fliers, brochures, postcards, and leave behind gifts with pizazz.
• Social Media / Web Presence – Glenda Ebersole
  Creating a web presence that brings in new business. Keep-it-simple tips to for search engine and social media marketing. 
  
• From the Ground Up / Floral Class – Joe Guggia, AIFD
  This sharing seminar will touch many facets of floral design, from the mechanics an styles, to the value in today’s total design world.