IFPA’s Floral Conference Heads to Miami
The International Fresh Produce Association will bring the global floral supply chain together May 19–20, when its Floral Conference returns to the Hyatt Regency Miami, offering a tightly focused program built around education, networking and direct access to retail buyers.
Designed as an intimate, highly interactive gathering, the event connects breeders, growers, importers, wholesalers and retailers from across the floral business, with a format that prioritizes meaningful conversations and actionable insights.
A defining feature of the conference is its strong buyer presence, with retail floral decision-makers participating throughout—from roundtables and meet-ups to the Breeder Showcase. That access is paired with a schedule that features a select group of named industry speakers spanning association leadership, retail, government affairs and market insights.
The conference begins Tuesday, May 19, with breeder setup followed by roundtable meetings between retailers and suppliers, offering a forum for candid discussion around merchandising, sourcing challenges and category growth. The day concludes with the Welcome Reception and Breeder Showcase, where attendees can connect informally while previewing new floral varieties and innovations.
Education takes center stage on Wednesday, May 20, beginning with the “State of Floral” session, led by Miriam Wolk, chief membership officer for the International Fresh Produce Association. Wolk will provide a data-driven overview of the floral category, examining the past year’s performance while outlining trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the year ahead.
The program then shifts to one of the conference’s most policy- and supply chain-focused sessions, “Market Access, Trade, and Risk: What Floral Businesses Must Prepare For.” This panel brings together a trio of speakers offering distinct perspectives across government affairs, importing and retail. Leading the discussion is Dr. Joe Bischoff, principal at Cornerstone Government Affairs, who will provide insight into tariffs, trade barriers and geopolitical risk. He is joined by Carlos Oramas, CEO of Gems Group, bringing a global supplier perspective, and Laura Perkins, vice president of national floral merchandising at Albertsons, offering a retailer’s view on navigating supply chain volatility.
Following lunch, the focus turns to data and performance with “How Point-of-Sale Data and Consumer Behavior Can Drive Floral’s Next Wave of Growth.” This session is led by Rachel Blake, manager of global insights at IFPA, who will explore how companies can translate shopper behavior and sales data into actionable strategies to improve assortment, pricing and promotional effectiveness.
The afternoon continues with “The Floral Consumer Lens,” a consumer panel designed to provide attendees with direct insight into how shoppers make purchasing decisions.
Throughout the day, attendees will also participate in Breeder Meet-Ups, a series of pre-scheduled appointments connecting buyers with breeders and suppliers. These sessions are designed to streamline product discovery and facilitate discussions around availability, innovation and future partnerships.
The event concludes with a networking happy hour among the breeder showcases, allowing attendees—including speakers, buyers and suppliers—to continue conversations and strengthen relationships formed during the conference.
Beyond individual sessions, the structure of the Floral Conference underscores its role as a working event. Rather than relying on a traditional trade show floor, the format emphasizes direct interaction—both with buyers and with the experts leading the conversations on stage.
The choice of Miami as host city further reinforces the event’s focus. As a major gateway for imported flowers entering the United States, the location aligns with the conference’s emphasis on global supply chains, logistics and trade dynamics.
With a schedule that combines named industry speakers, targeted education and direct access to retail buyers, the 2026 Floral Conference offers a timely opportunity for stakeholders to come together, exchange insights and position the category for continued growth.
For more information, visit www.freshproduce.com/events/the-floral-conference/.
