SAF Wednesday E-Brief - 01/02/2008  (Plain Text Version)

Return to Graphical Version

 

In this issue:
Headlines
•  Des Moines Businesses Benefit from Iowa Caucuses
•  Resolutions 2007: The Follow Through
•  Pajaro Valley Sold to Rocket Farms
•  University Horticulturist Unveils New Poinsettia
•  Read My Mood: Buy Flowers
Trends and Tips
•  At Grocery Stores, Bigger Isn't Always Better
•  Mommy Marketing
Newsmakers
•  Flowers Among 'Most Romantic' Celebrity Proposals
•  Parker The Flower Shop Dog
Mark Your Calendar
•  Upcoming Events
Regular Features
•  Xmas Decor Goes Fast for Most Florists
•  Product Spotlight: ScriptSave
•  Talk on the Forums: Designers as Artists
•  In January 2007 Florists Predicted Sales Growth or Status Quo

 

Des Moines Businesses Benefit from Iowa Caucuses

As the politically conscious turn their heads towards Iowa on Thursday, the politicians themselves are bringing business to the city of Des Moines, causing a boom in the area's economy.

Retail businesses, including Des Moines florists, are benefiting from the upcoming Iowa caucuses, with the candidates, campaign workers, and volunteers spending so much time in the city.

Greg Edwards, president of the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau told the American Public Media that the caucuses bring in $25 million to Iowa's capital city, and an additional $75 million to the rest of the state. "This is definitely a big shot in the arm for the economy," Edwards says.
How much of this translates into floral business?

Tom Boesen, owner of Boesen the Florist, in Des Moines, says the influx of an additional 700 to 800  people into a city for four to five months translates into additional business related to regular floral holidays, birthdays, Christmas, etc.

"Anytime you bring in a bigger population it helps," Boesen says. However, even though Boesen says they provided some arrangements for some political events, such as a dinner hosted by Hillary and Bill Clinton, the work added up to less than a $1,000 in additional business. Limited budgets make for sparsely decorated campaign headquarters, Boesen says, and the politicians' appearances are typically brief and at different locations, so they aren't usually thinking about flower arrangements.

Jan Doherty, owner of Doherty's Flowers, also in Des Moines, says they've had about 15 additional  orders over the last month, mostly going to the candidate headquarters and from the candidates to their volunteers and campaign workers — business that basically fell in their lap without any effort. 

"It's been great for the area," Doherty says. "It's been great for business."

Doherty jokes that the store is trying not to take too many orders in the downtown area the day of the caucuses, however, because of all the traffic from the events.

— Kori Kamradt
kkamradt@safnow.org