Philly Flower Show Lost $1.2 Million, And Leader Blames TV

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society usually makes about $1 million in profits from the Philadelphia Flower Show.

But not this year.

The 2013 show actually fell short about $1.2 million, not an unprecedented event in its 184-year history but a short-term disaster for the many urban “greening” programs it supports.  PHS president Drew Becher is now scrambling to cut costs – and to raise $1 million for programs and $200,000 for Flower Show expenses from PHS members and an insurance policy.

For all this, he blames local TV and radio stations.

With unusual bluntness, Becher accuses them of “hyping up” a major snowstorm during Flower Show week that never materialized – but led to scores of canceled tour buses and visitors, and the loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars in ticket and merchandise sales.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/20130519_Flower_Show_lost__1_2_million__and_leader_blames_TV.html#Gok7XbSLiFH34U2D.99

Philadelphia Flower Show Opens Tomorrow

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Philadelphia ...

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Philadelphia County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

You may not have even noticed, but after just three years, the Philadelphia International Flower Show is back to being the Philadelphia Flower Show.

The global moniker was always a stretch, but its quick demise was surprising, given the fanfare surrounding its debut.

“Calling something international doesn’t really mean anything, and ‘Philadelphia International Flower Show’ was a mouthful,” said Drew Becher, who became president of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society in mid-2010, after the new name had gone into effect.

Produced by PHS, the show runs Saturday through March 10, at the Convention Center, following sneak peeks this afternoon and Saturday morning for members. [Tickets run from $15 in advance for children to $32 for adults at the door.]

Officially, the new name is PHS Philadelphia Flower Show – and it’s all about branding.

Read more:  http://www.philly.com/philly/home/gardening/20130301_Flora_Fantastic.html