AFE Releases New Strategic Plan
The American Floral Endowment (AFE) recently took a deeper look at how it can better support industry members and businesses through its floriculture programs and funding. Through an eight-month Strategic Planning effort, new priorities, goals, and initiatives were identified to provide for continued growth in the industry.
As part of the plan, the Board also approved a revised vision, mission, and logo update to better identify and promote AFE’s core initiatives. The new logo touts the overall goal of Funding for the Future of Floriculture.
After months of consultation and evaluating input from the broader floral community, a new strategic plan was developed to better position the wndowment to address the ever-changing needs of the floriculture industry.
The three-year plan underscores and strengthens fundamental priorities vital to AFE’s future and mission: supporting innovative research and floral industry education; an irrefutable pledge to keeping young professional development at the center of our work; increased outreach and fundraising efforts to provide more dollars for floriculture-related programs; and, finally and importantly, a commitment to collaboration with like-minded organizations for these and other programs geared toward advancing the industry.
The strategic plan sets goals to expand core AFE programs, provide new and innovative research, develop more targeted and strategic communications, and increase fundraising to support these initiatives. Like the new Vision states, AFE pledges to do these things “to better connect people to flowers and plants in everyday life.”
AFE’s core programming supports better quality flowers and plants and provides best practices for increased longevity of products. Better quality and longer-lasting plants support profitability and happy consumers. Whether you are a grower, researcher, event planner, wholesaler, or retailer, AFE’s work has positively impacted your business. With expanded resources to reach and support the next generation of young professionals through our career center, recruitment resources, and Young Professionals Council, the Endowment is also educating and supporting a workforce for the future. All AFE’s resources are available to everyone in the industry FREE. Industry contributions are the key to providing these programs for all.
“AFE’s new goals show our ongoing commitment and dedication to the industry. These expansions will be extremely impactful both internally and externally. It is exciting to look ahead and see this clear path to success aiding the growth of our industry,” says AFE’s Chairman-Elect Ken Young, owner of Phoenix Flower Shops.
The new Strategic Plan will serve as AFE’s benchmarks for success over the next three years. They will also help AFE continue to address the transforming needs of the industry and further expand their reach to keep up with industry growth.
Learn more about AFE research, internships, scholarships, educational grants, and other industry resources from our home page.
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