| In this edition of the Flower Market Circular:
– How to get involved in the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show
– Listen to the Valentine’s Day campaign ads
– New free Wi-Fi available |
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Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show
The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (MIFGS) is only a month away, and there are lots of ways florists and growers can get involved. |
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Wedding Table Display
 Flowers Victoria are seeking bespoke florists and boutique wedding stylists to set their own on-trend wedding table style, by setting a table at the Flowers Victoria Wedding Table Display. The central theme of the table will be fresh flowers and each entrant will have a separate 0.8m table to use.
The Flowers Victoria Wedding Table is a people’s choice award and voting will take place throughout the duration of the show. The prizes for the Flowers Victoria Wedding Table competition are as follows:
- 1st Prize – Right to style the next Flowers Victoria activation or event (huge publicity opportunity!)
- 2nd Prize – Double-page feature article in the Melbourne Wedding & Bride Magazine
- 3rd Prize – Flowers Victoria Membership (one year)
The entrant fee is $250 per exclusive table, but only 10 tables are available.
To enquire or apply, please contact Kate Rogers on krogers@vff.org.au.
Flowers Victoria Cocktail Party
The Flowers Victoria Cocktail Party is sure to be the prettiest event on your social calendar this year. Enjoy live entertainment as you network over drinks and canapes in The Great Hall of Flowers. Get your tickets today! Click here to download the invitation with full event details. |
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Market Stand
 Flowers Victoria are looking for growers and flower wholesalers to support the MIFGS by supplying flowers for the Market Stall.
Message from Flowers Victoria: Would you like to see your flowers sold at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show? We are looking for stock to fill the Annual Flowers Victoria Flower Market! All proceeds from the market are utilised to support our marketing campaigns such as Valentine’s Day and lobbying efforts for issues affecting our growers. If you wish to see your flowers on our stand and support the industry please contact Kate Rogers on krogers@vff.org.au or Alana Pittard on apittard@vff.org.au |
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Win Tickets
The MMA are giving away 10 double passes to MIFGS. To enter, post a picture of your favourite flower from the Melbourne Flower Market to Instagram using the hashtag #melbourneflowermarket, and in your post, tell us in 25 words or less why it’s your favourite flower.
10 winners will be chosen on Thursday 14 March. |
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Valentine’s Day Promotions
 This year, the Melbourne Market Authority in conjunction with Flowers Victoria developed a Valentine’s Day marketing campaign to drive the purchase of flowers.
As Valentine’s Day fell mid-week, the campaign focused on encouraging the public to order and send flowers to their loved one’s work, scoring them extra brownie points and bragging rights for the public display of affection.
The radio ads could be heard on Nova and Triple M in the week leading up to Valentine’s Day.
The Melbourne Market also worked with Fox FM, providing flower giveaways used by the Black Thunder street team, in return for additional commercials and on-air mentions, encouraging the public to order flowers from their local florist.
You can listen to the radio ads via the links below.
Valentine’s Day Radio Ad 1
Valentine’s Day Radio Ad 2
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Increase to biosecurity measures for flower imports
The Government is stepping up its biosecurity measures on cut flower and foliage imports, and for local growers it could be the advantage they’ve been waiting for.
Last year, the Federal Government announced an increase to biosecurity measures after a 2017 review found less than half of imported flowers complied with environmental safeguards.
The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources said cut flowers now need to be fumigated in their country of origin before they are sent here, or undergo an alternative pest control system approved by a National Plant Protection Organisation.
That extra safeguard, in addition to existing biosecurity measures, mean costs could be increasing for flower importers.
Read more on ABC News. |
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New free Wi-Fi for Melbourne Market users
 A new free Wi-Fi service is now live across the entire Melbourne Market site for all Market users to take advantage of.
The free Wi-Fi has a simple two-click registration process with no need to enter any personal details.
Once registered, a user will receive 24 hours free Wi-Fi which can be re-activated after each 24-hour period.
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Market Charity Golf Day
Raffle tickets are now selling in the Market!
The Lions Club, the MMA and Fresh State have come together and ask you to dig deep, to support DEBRA Australia by purchasing a raffle ticket, in a letter co-signed by each organisations leader.
The raffle is open to everyone in the Market, and with a prize pool valued at over $40,000 you’d be mad not to be in the draw!
So what can you win?
This year there are some amazing prizes on offer, like a brand new car, seats in an MCC corporate box, and a $1500 travel voucher. Click here to see the full list of prizes on offer.
Raffle tickets can be purchased at, 1 for $50, 3 for $100 or 8 for $200 from the Customer Service Centre, Fresh State office or download a raffle ticket form here. |
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Annual access card renewals
Last week Business Principals received a letter asking them to review all access card holders currently listed at their business.
The MMA ask that Business Principals inform us which card holders to renew, and which to remove, in the lead up to April’s Market-wide access card renewal to ensure you are not invoiced for card holders who are no longer in your employment.
Please ensure you action ASAP as invoices will be generated early next week.
All you need to do email the completed form to customerservice@melbournemarket.com.au, or pop it into the mailboxes at:
– Market Express Cafe (in the Flower Market), or
– Customer Service Centre
Should you have any questions please visit the Customer Service Centre. |
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Labour Day Public Holiday
The Market will be closed for the Labour Day public holiday on Monday 11 March.
There is no change to Market trading hours on the days before or after the public holiday. |
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Search tool for business grants and support
 Did you know that business.gov.au is a great web resource designed to help businesses easily find tools and services to help them succeed? The website has search functions allowing you to input your business details to find programs that might work for you.
There are three search functions available:
Grants and assistance programs – Find grants, funding and support programs from across government to help your business grow. Click here to access.
Business experts and advisors – You don’t have to do it alone — working with an experienced business adviser or expert can help solve business problems, connect you to funding and grow your industry networks. Click here to access.
Business events & training – Business workshops, networking events, conferences and webinars can help you to improve your business skills and grow your network. Click here to access.
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Flower Funny
So much time is spent carefully arranging the perfect wedding bouquet, only to see it tossed in the air at the end of the night.
Check out these wedding bouquet toss fails! |
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Key Dates
Monday 11 March – Labour Day Public Holiday, Market Closed
Friday 15 March – Market Charity Golf Day |
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Ask the MMA
If you’ve got a question or suggestion for the MMA email it to submissions@melbournemarket.com.au. |
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