When it comes to creativity, proper mechanics, concept and creation, there are very few florists gifted with these skills. Rich Salvaggio master floral designer and industry leader came to Sarasota August 17 to train and share ideas with our design team. Rich has a marvelous way of communicating with florists and share many tips and techniques of design and systems for creative designing.

The design staff was so pleased as the questions ad answer sessions were as informative as any I have heard in many years. Richard’s creativity is second to none. One point we both agreed upon is that flowers are already beautiful, it is up to the florist to design and group them with complimenting varieties to bring out their very best.

We always believe in more education of our employees at Beneva Flowers. this was a great several days of training and discussion that will surly be used and referenced for years to come.

For all your gift giving needs please visit: Beneva Flowers & Gifts.]]> http://www.benevablog.com/?feed=rss2&p=753 0 http://www.benevablog.com/?p=738 http://www.benevablog.com/?p=738#comments Thu, 19 Aug 2010 13:35:30 +0000 admin http://www.benevablog.com/?p=738 As you know, challenging retail environments demand more attention to detailed creative ideas for better retailing experiences and teamwork.  To insure we are doing our very best to make the most of the opportunities which lie ahead of us, we have been very selective in looking for the very best individuals to join our team.  From weddings and special events to our outreach programs with various organizations, it takes people to make it work. It also takes heart and dedication to make it successful! I would like to take this opportunity to announce and welcome the following employees to the Beneva Flowers family.

We would like to welcome Mary Visser to our Beneva team.  Mary will be our Operations Director and Executive Assistant.  Mary’s past career includes over 30+ years in industry as a Sr. Buyer, Project Manager and Commodity Manager.  Her experience includes Project Mgmt, Cost Savings, Contract Negotiations, Process Improvements, Strategic Planning, Team Building, Customer Service, Supplier Relations and working with internal cross functional teams as well as multiple external geographical teams (Mexico/China).

Lets’ also welcome Shirley Johnson who joined our design team last week, Shirley has extensive design experience and will bring a new level of creativity to our Design Team.  Shirley owned Celebration Flower Shop in Lubbock, TX for 14 years.  She has over 25 years of experience creating floral designs and specializing in weddings and special events.

And John Speziale, our newest floral designer. John has been designing for 36 years.  He owned two shops and a catering company in New Jersey.  In January 2005, John relocated to Broward County and owned and operated Enhance Your Habitat, a home remodeling and landscape company.

Ann Picard will be assisting the Sales Team.  She will round out our most capable Sales Team.  Ann operated and owned Annie’s Flowers & Gifts in Woonsocket, RI for ten years.  Her shop came in first place in 3 FTD designer competitions representing the New England area for three consecutive years.  Ann also worked on large scale special events internationally and locally in East Greenwich for Stone Blossom.

I feel confident that this is the very best staff we have had in many years and look forward to reinforcing a positive atmosphere that can only be created by quality employees who will compliment the many talents of our existing staff. Again, welcome to Beneva Flowers where we truly strive to always exceed expectations!

With the final month of summer check your floral horoscope and see how your summer will end. Visit Beneva.com today and check your horoscope!

To answer that question, BabyNameWizard.com tracked the names that hundreds of thousands of name-searching parents looked for most. They’ve given us an exclusive peek at the hottest names of 2010 so far — the names that rose the fastest from a year ago. The fast risers might not be common now, but we’re likely to hear more from them in the years to come.

The #1 fastest rising girl’s name is Tenley, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Kinley, Tinsley and Kinsley also made the top 20. Together, they point to a signature sound for the year’s baby girls. Also keep an eye out for Everly, which placed two different spellings in the top 20.

For boys, the country’s love affair with “-n” names is set to continue. More than half of the hottest rising boy’s names end in that super-popular letter. Look for a fresh crop of surname names, too, especially luxurious ones like Sterling, St. John and Bentley.

The top 20 fastest rising boy’s and girl’s names are below. If you’re afraid that your favorite names are rising too fast, check out the list of secret hit baby names that are more popular than they appear, and these appealing alternatives to the new hit names.

FASTEST-RISING GIRL’S NAMES
1. Tenley
2. Harper
3. Everleigh
4. Martina
5. Sookie
6. Navi
7. Charlotte
8. Eloise
9. Lorelai
10. Ursula
11. Briella
12. Kinley
13. Tinsley
14. Mhairi
15. Leighton
16. Maelle
17. Ever
18. Kinsley
19. Lux
20. Everly

FASTEST-RISING BOY’S NAMES
1. Castiel
2. Bentley
3. Eoin
4. Easton
5. Lucian
6. Aarav
7. Zion
8. St. John
9. Kaiden
10. Sterling
11. Callan
12. Leland
13. Harper
14. Mikah
15. Dashiell
16. Eliah
17. Dawson
18. Kayden
19. Lennon
20. Dorian

Courtesy of parentdish.com

Beneva Flowers had the privilege over the Father’s Day weekend to declare Tyler Bowser as Sarasota’s Favorite Dad! Tyler overcame all other entries and was able to get the votes from fellow Beneva Flowers customers to win this title. Tyler was given the option of 3 prizes and chose a 1/2 Day Charter for four on Bay Walker Charters with Captain Jonnie Walker.

We here at Beneva Flowers would like to thank all those whop participated and entered the contest. We look forward to naming the 2011 Sarasota’s Favorite Dad next year.

We are proud to announce the release of our new Everyday Catalog. Featuring selections for all occasions! Click here to flip through our interactive catalog and send a bouquet today!

For all your gift giving needs please visit: Beneva Flowers & Gifts.]]> http://www.benevablog.com/?feed=rss2&p=718 0 http://www.benevablog.com/?p=713 http://www.benevablog.com/?p=713#comments Tue, 01 Jun 2010 14:33:07 +0000 admin http://www.benevablog.com/?p=713

Whither you are looking for love this Summer or just looking for a change of pace our floral horoscope will help you plan your summer. Visit Beneva.com today and check your horoscope!

Father’s Day is June 20th and we need your help in naming Sarasota’s Favorite Dad! Simply follow the detailed steps below and your Father could be named Sarasota’s Favorite for 2010. Best of all your Father will have the choice of three fabulous Prizes.

Sarasota’s Favorite Dad will pick one of the following prizes:

• 1/2 Day Charter for four on Bay Walker Charters with Captain Jonnie Walker

• Four Tampa Bay Rays Tickets (Game TBD)

• Master of the Grill BBQ Gift Basket

Our First Runner-Up will chose from the two remaining prizes and our Second Runner-Up will receive the final remaining prize. Nominate your Dad today! Click here to enter.

Arthur Conforti, president of Beneva Flowers had the privilege to award Maddie Hazuda her kid’s gift basket for winning our “What My Father Means to Me” Coloring Contest. Arthur Conforti also presented Maddie’s Father, Steve Hazuda with a ½ day fishing trip for 4 with Captain Jonnie Walker, which Maddie had also won for her father by having her picture being chosen as the grand prize winner. Maddie’s Father Steven was very touched by his daughter’s winning and was very moved by the contest. Maddie is very special to him, as his only daughter, and was very appreciative to both Beneva Flowers and Phillippi Shores.

Maddie also won her class, Miss Schott’s fourth graders, a lunch from Jersey Mike’s. We would like to thank all the students at Phillippi Shores Elementary for participating and making it such a difficult decision to pick a winner.