1-800-Flowers® Franchise Convention is Floral Industry's Largest Ever

CARLE PLACE, N.Y., Sept. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The theme of the 2012 1-800-Flowers Franchise Convention was "United We Bloom" and the event certainly lived up to its billing, underscored by a collaboration of insights and a sharing of innovative ideas designed to optimize growth opportunities for retail florists.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120920/NY78603LOGO)

Hundreds of florists and other floral industry professionals from throughout the U.S. attended the convention, which was held September 11-13, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  "I am proud to say that in addition to being the number-one floral brand, we have become the largest franchise organization the floral industry has ever seen," said Chris McCann, President of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM. "And we are committed to working closely together as a team with all the highly skilled, talented and knowledgeable retail florists who are part of our organization...putting our unequaled resources behind their businesses, nurturing creative ideas and implementing powerful strategies in a marketplace that offers perhaps more growth potential than ever before through multiple consumer channels including local stores, social platforms and mobile commerce."

Among the highlights of the convention were engaging and informative presentations by leading experts in floral design, social media, customer service and many other areas that are vital to the growth and success of a retail floral business. Best in class exhibitors were on-hand as well to showcase their newest products and services, many of which were unveiled for the first time.  There was also a sold-out TradeFair offering special discounts on the latest products and accessories.

In addition, the convention featured a fully customized mobile app that was created by BloomNet and Gather Digital (http://www.gatherdigital.com) specifically for the event.  The app provided attendees with real-time information and continuous updates about activities throughout the convention. App users were also able to view bios of presenters, download the presentations, send each other messages and get details about exhibitors  and products at the TradeFair.

"I want to personally thank everyone who came to Las Vegas for the 2012 1-800-Flowers Franchise Convention, the most well-attended franchise convention ever in the floral industry," said Mark Nance, AAF, President of BloomNet. "In addition to sharing wonderful conversations with so many friends and associates...the event provided a great opportunity to explore the numerous and exciting ways that BloomNet, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM and retail florists from across the nation can drive each other's success and profitability."

About 1-800-FLOWERS.COM
1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. is the world's leading florist and gift shop. For more than 35 years, 1-800-FLOWERS® (1-800-356-9377 or www.1800flowers.com) has been helping deliver smiles for our customers with gifts for every occasion, including fresh flowers and the finest selection of plants, gift baskets, gourmet foods, confections, candles, balloons and plush stuffed animals. As always, our 100% Smile Guarantee backs every gift.  1-800-FLOWERS.COM's Mobile Flower & Gift Center was named winner of the Mobile Shopping Summit's "Best Mobile Site of 2011."  1-800-FLOWERS.COM was also rated number one vs. competitors for customer service by STELLAService and named by the E-Tailing Group as one of only nine online retailers out of 100 benchmarked to meet the criteria for Excellence in Online Customer Service. 1-800-FLOWERS.COM has been honored in Internet Retailer's "Hot 100: America's Best Retail Web Sites" for 2011. The Company's BloomNet® international floral wire service (www.mybloomnet.net) provides a broad range of quality products and value-added services designed to help professional florists grow their businesses profitably. The 1-800-FLOWERS.COM "Gift Shop" also includes gourmet gifts such as popcorn and specialty treats from: The Popcorn Factory® (1-800-541-2676 or www.thepopcornfactory.com); cookies and baked gifts from Cheryl's® (1-800-443-8124 or www.cheryls.com); premium chocolates and confections from Fannie May® confections brands (www.fanniemay.com and www.harrylondon.com); gift baskets and towers from 1-800-Baskets.com®  (www.1800baskets.com); incredible, carved fresh fruit arrangements from FruitBouquets.com^sm (www.fruitbouquets.com); wine gifts from Winetasting.com® (www.winetasting.com); top quality steaks and chops from Stock Yards® (www.stockyards.com); as well as premium branded customizable invitations and personal stationery from FineStationery.com® (www.finestationery.com).  The Company's Celebrations® brand (www.celebrations.com) is a premier online destination for fabulous party ideas and planning tips. 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. is involved in a broad range of corporate social responsibility initiatives including continuous expansion and enhancement of its environmentally-friendly "green" programs as well as various philanthropic and charitable efforts. Shares in 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, ticker symbol: FLWS.

About BloomNet®
BloomNet® (www.mybloomnet.net or 1-800-BloomNet) is an international wire service and a world class business solutions provider offering quality products and diverse services to a select network of professional retail Florists who utilize BloomNet's resources to grow their businesses profitably.  Professional Florists who are part of the BloomNet network can take advantage of several key benefits including the highest published rebate in the industry with the easiest rebate qualifications, tiered membership costs, state-of-the-art technology solutions, and a complete suite of value-added products and services.  BloomNet has established and maintains the industry's most stringent business standards for participating Florists. BloomNet, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc.

SOURCE 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc.