BloomaPalooza Prelude

As of 7/1/2013, BloomaPalooza 2013 has been canceled. Click here for more information, https://www.gardencentermagazine.com/bloomapalooza-2013-cancelled.aspx

We sat down with BloomaPalooza keynote speaker Dr. Charlie Hall, Ellison Chair in International Floriculture at Texas A&M University, to get his take on the upcoming event.

Garden Center: Why did you decide to come on board as a keynote speaker at BloomaPalooza?

Charlie Hall: It’s something new and because it’s such a different format, it’s intriguing to me. This is a chance to come together and have a little bit of fun in addition to doing a little learning. Also, whenever you’re out in nature, learning retention is enhanced by as much as 20 percent. The fact that we’re going to be outside in the midst of all this, in an outdoor classroom type of environment, makes it even more exciting. We’ll be out experiencing some of what we provide as an industry.

So it seemed to me like a great opportunity, and any time there’s some fun being had, I like being right in the middle of it!

GC: What are you most looking forward to about BloomaPalooza?

CH: Well, I’m a music buff. So I’m looking forward to the music because it’s a neat type of atmosphere to enjoy some music. But above and beyond that, the interaction with peers is invaluable. Some of the industry experts are going to be there and [attendees will have the] chance to be in an informal environment, talking with them, and talking with folks from across the industry, and the country. You can’t beat that kind of setting particularly if you’re willing to engage.

Now a lot of folks like going to a conference and sitting in the back row and as soon as it’s over with they hop outside and get in the car and go home. But for those who are willing to engage their peers in informal discussions and have these impromptu meetings, you can really get a lot out of it.

GC: What message do you hope to convey to attendees who are looking to improve their business?

CH: The basic point is we get beaten down by the media’s message of fiscal cliff this and economy doing that and consumer confidence is up or down, so part of my basic message is to know enough to know the difference. Know which economic indicators are important for your business and then secondly, even in the midst of poor economic performance, there are opportunities for folks to make some serious money in this business. Consumers will come to purchase products that enhance the quality of their life [during a recessionary time period]. We don’t just sell pretty. We enhance the quality of people’s lives.

To hear Charlie's take on the importance of attending industry events, listen to this podcast interview between Garden Center editor Karen Varga and Dr. Hall here.

WANT TO HEAR MORE about how you can improve your business from Dr. Charlie Hall? Come see him at BloomaPalooza, which will be held at the Raker Trial Gardens in Litchfield, Michigan this August 1-3. For more information and to register for this innovative event, visit www.BloomaPalooza.com, where you’ll also find links to our social media pages.