IFA Meet 6, held on August 7th and 8th, 2024 at Radisson Blu, Dwarka, New Delhi, represented a key moment for the floriculture industry in India. Emerging as a dynamic B2B platform for professionals to collaborate, share knowledge, and explore new growth avenues, the IFA Meet 6 was a success because of the wholehearted participation of the IFA members.
Focus on Expansion
With a focus on expansion, the event highlighted the need for the floriculture industry to integrate with complementary sectors, thereby unlocking new opportunities and maximizing potential for growth. The central theme of this year's meet was the importance of unity and collective effort in overcoming industry challenges and driving forward innovation.
The sixth edition of the Indian Florist Association (IFA) annual meet took place in the heart of the country—New Delhi at the Radisson Blu, Dwarka. The meet spanned two days, drawing together 202 delegates from 22 states, including florists, vendors, industry experts, and business leaders from across the country.
For a review of the 5th edition read the article IFA Meet 5: Blooming Together in the Heart of India’s Floral Industry.
Besides the core proceedings, the venue was abuzz with a variety of exhibition stalls that catered to the diverse facets of the floriculture industry. Vendors displayed an impressive range of products, from exotic cut flowers and floral accessories to innovative floral design tools.
Particularly notable were the unique stalls featuring bamboo crafts and preserved real flowers, which highlighted the intersection of traditional crafts and modern floristry. This year's gathering not only served as a meeting point for florists but also provided a platform for related industries to showcase their offerings, fostering a business-enhancing B2B environment of shared learning and exploration.
Overview and Key Themes of IFA Meet 6
Celebrating its sixth annual meet, the Indian Florist Association (IFA) continued its mission of expanding India's floriculture industry. The vision driving IFA Meet 6 was clear: to create a larger, more inclusive floriculture industry that works in tandem with other sectors.
This strategic shift emphasized pairing individuals from different ends of the industry—the breeders, growers, vendors & traders, and florists & designers. The aim was to leverage the strengths of these collaborations to maximize opportunities and drive growth. Anand Kumar, President of IFA, shared his vision with his inspiring words:
"We are thrilled with the success of IFA Meet 2024 and grateful for the support of our delegates, sponsors, and partners. Started in 2016, this is our 6th Meet, and we have been growing year on year with the support of our dedicated members. We look forward to continuing to foster growth and innovation in the Indian floral industry."
Drawing inspiration from previous meets, the event underscored the importance of networking, knowledge sharing, and innovation. It highly emphasized the need for the floriculture industry to expand its horizons by integrating with complementary industries, ultimately fostering a more dynamic and profitable future for all members and stakeholders involved.
Insights From Industry Experts
At the IFA Meet 6, industry experts came together to discuss the pivotal role of the Indian Florist Association (IFA) in transforming the floriculture industry. Discussions emphasized leveraging innovative tools, strategic partnerships, and data-driven decision-making to navigate the evolving landscape.
Representing the growers' community, Mr. Madhav from Heartyexotica, Mr. A Sridhar Varma from the Ganjam District Flowers Growers Association, and Mr. Murugesh from Pollachi also addressed the members. Their discussions focused on the challenges and opportunities in floriculture from a grower’s perspective, highlighting the critical importance of collaboration between florists and growers to ensure the sustainability and quality of the floral supply chain.
Strategic Insights from Wedding Industry: Srikant Kanoi's Masterclass for Wedding Planners
Srikant Kanoi's masterclass at IFA Meet 6 is a highlight for many attendees, particularly those interested in the booming Indian wedding industry. India hosts over 10 million weddings annually, making it the second-largest wedding market globally, valued at approximately $75 billion. Kanoi shared that the wedding market is growing at an annual rate of 25-30%, with budgets ranging from 500,000 to 50 million Indian Rupees ($6K to $600K). He emphasized the significance of florists and decorators in these grand celebrations, noting that flowers alone contribute billions to the industry annually.
Kanoi's session was not just informative but also highly engaging. He provided practical tips on how wedding planners and florists can tap into this lucrative market. He discussed the importance of understanding client expectations, the rising trend of destination weddings, and how to curate unique, personalized experiences that resonate with modern couples.
By focusing on creativity, strategic partnerships, and leveraging digital platforms, Kanoi encouraged participants to explore new avenues within the wedding industry, which continues to thrive despite economic fluctuations.
Combining Networking, Creativity, and Commerce for Profitability
In the meeting Mr. Sharad Ojha (Joint Secretary, IFA) and Vineet Chopra (Executive Member, IFA) also shared valuable insights into merging creativity with commerce to achieve profitability in the business.
Mr. Ojha, known for his keen business acumen, delivered a compelling session titled 'From Petals to Profits', guiding florists on how to increase profitability through smart product choices, efficient sourcing, impactful displays, and strategic marketing. He emphasized the importance of balancing creative excellence with practical business operations, ensuring that every element, from sourcing to customer service, aligns with profitability goals.
Mr. Vineet Chopra from Bagiya captivated the audience with his presentation on 'The Big Fat Wedding Floral Decor', where he showcased grand and opulent designs. His session was filled with inspiration, motivating members to elevate their craft and strive for excellence.
Mr. Chopra, who has built a multi-crore business, attributed much of his success to the connections he forged through previous IFA Meets. His story highlighted the significance of networking and collaborations within the industry.
By focusing on high-end wedding decor and leveraging his extensive network, Mr. Chopra was able to scale his business significantly, now managing over 200 staff members across multiple ventures. His approach demonstrated how blending creativity with strategic business practices could lead to substantial growth and sustained success in the industry.
Digital Transformation: Leading the Way With Technology
One of the major challenges that the industry faces today is the form of digital adoption. Many florists are not tech-savvy, which hampers their ability to compete in a rapidly digitalizing market. This digital gap affects everything from marketing to consumer engagement, limiting growth opportunities.
The IFA Meet 6 highlighted the need for florists to embrace technology, not just to stay relevant, but to thrive in a competitive environment. Integrating digital tools can enhance operational efficiency, improve customer service, and open new revenue streams, ultimately driving the industry's future growth.
Anand Kumar on Harnessing AI and Digital Tools for Business Growth
Anand Kumar (President, IFA) did his best efforts to make IFA Meet 6 a game changer with a session on AI and digital tools. His hands-on workshop introduced florists to the power of AI technologies like Meta AI, ChatGPT, and Canva, showing how these tools can revolutionize their businesses.
Kumar demonstrated how AI can automate routine tasks optimize marketing efforts, and enhance customer engagement, freeing up time for florists to focus on creativity and client service.
By pairing up AI tools with marketing channels like social media, florists can significantly boost their visibility online and attract more customers. The session was practical, with real-time demonstrations that allowed participants to experience the potential of these tools firsthand.
Women Entrepreneurs: The Pillars of Floristry
Women are the backbone of the floriculture industry, both in India and globally. While men have traditionally dominated areas like trading and growing, women lead as florists, designers, and business leaders. In India, over 80% of the floriculture workforce comprises women, shaping the industry’s identity and ensuring its growth.
At IFA Meet 6, the spotlight was on women-led enterprises, showcasing their innovation, resilience, and leadership. A panel of esteemed IFA Women Entrepreneurs, including Ms. Lata Gupta, Ms. Madhulika Mahadik, Ms. Kanupriya Mali, and others, shared insights and encouraged fellow florists with their experiences.
General Challenges Faced by Women Entrepreneurs
Women in floriculture often come from modest backgrounds, starting their ventures independently. This resilience was a key highlight of the Meet. The primary challenges they face include managing human resources and navigating e-commerce partnerships.
Pay gaps, unfair treatment, and high staff turnover are persistent issues, yet many have overcome these with empathy and strong interpersonal skills, fostering a supportive work environment.
The shift to e-commerce presents both opportunities and challenges. While it offers visibility and sales, stringent Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and franchise models can be demanding. Those who have successfully navigated these challenges have reaped significant rewards.
Transforming the Industry With Innovation: Women Leading the Charge
The Motivational series also highlighted how these entrepreneurs broke through typical industry stereotypes, achieving high-value orders that were once thought to be beyond reach.
The flower buyers in India traditionally focus on inexpensive flowers for everyday use, which definitely has seen its shifts of modernization and time. However, today's floral industry has changed this narrative, embracing innovation, leveraging technology, and tapping into new markets have expanded the businesses to capture significant market share.
During the meet, several women entrepreneur members of IFA including Ms. Puja Singhania, Ms. Suchita Mehta, Ms. Sweety Purushotham, Ms. Padmakala Rekhapalli, Ms. Kiran Kothari, Ms. Seema Gharwra, and Ms. Noopur shared their stories of overcoming the challenges associated with gaining high-end orders. They spoke of the difficulties in convincing end customers that floral designs could command premium prices, particularly in a market where flowers are often considered a low-cost commodity.
Despite these challenges, many have successfully transitioned from small-scale operations to handling large, high-value projects. Their success is a testament to their ability to innovate and adapt to the market's evolving demands, proving that the floral industry in India is not just growing, but also diversifying into more lucrative segments, reflecting the fact that the leaders will be those who dare to push boundaries.
Celebrating Success and Looking Forward
The IFA Meet 6 concluded with a celebration of the industry's achievements and a forward-thinking perspective on its future. It underscored the collective success of its members who have contributed to the industry's growth. As participants reflected on the knowledge shared and connections made, there was a clear sense of optimism about what lies ahead. The meeting served as a reminder of the industry's resilience and the potential for further expansion in the coming years.
The Continued Legacy of IFA - Leadership and Collaboration
The legacy of the Indian Florist Association has played a crucial role in uniting the floriculture community, fostering a culture of mutual support and shared growth. The leadership of figures like Anand Kumar, Srikant Kanoi, Sharad Ojha, Amit Singhania, Vinay Thakur, Pandharinath Mhaske, Daman Anand among others has been instrumental in driving association's success, ensuring it remains a cornerstone of the industry.
Inspiring Growth - The Future of India's Floriculture Industry
Srikant Kanoi, the Vice President of IFA shared a bold vision that encapsulates the future trajectory of the association. He spoke passionately about expanding the scope of IFA's influence, encompassing not just florists but also e-commerce players, growers, wholesalers, floral designers, wedding planners, tourism boards, government bodies, hotels, influencers, bloggers, and even AI and technology partners.
His dream is to see this initiative grow beyond India's borders, taking the spirit of collaboration and partnership to a new country every year. By doing so, IFA aims to create a global ecosystem of innovation and cooperation, strengthening the industry's foundation and driving it toward new horizons.
The future of India's floriculture industry looks promising, with opportunities for growth across various segments. The industry is poised to benefit from increased collaboration, digital transformation, and innovative practices that cater to evolving consuming demands.
As the market expands, there is significant potential to explore new avenues, from high-end decor to sustainable practices. With the continued support of IFA and the visionary leadership of its key figures, the industry is well-positioned to capitalize on these opportunities, ensuring that floriculture remains an essential part of India's ecomony for years to come.
Feature image and header image by IFA, India.
