Tips For Canadians Attending GLFEE

In Tips by Ryan Freeman

It’s no secret that the Great Lakes Floral & Event Expo is my favourite event of the year to attend. And as someone with very little appreciation for cold weather, that says I lot that I look forward to travelling to Grand Rapids in March each year!

The education programming is always top notch (and not just because they sometimes let teach a session or two!), and the attendance is always strong. GLFEE draws a good crowd of great people from several surrounding states, and also from Canada.

GLFEE 2022

This year, though, travel to Michigan might give Canadian florists an extra pause. After all, the border situation is always changing (thank you, COVID), and no one wants to get tangled in a border snafu. With that in mind, and with the help of a very friendly Canada Border Services Agent, I’ve compiled a quick list of important things Canadians need to know to attend GLFEE 2022.

  1. To enter the USA
    1. Have your proof of vaccination ready to present at the US border
  2. To return to Canada
    1. You must have a pre-arrival negative test taken in the USA within the last 72 hours
    2. PCR, NAAT, and RT-LAMP tests are all accepted by CBSA, but the NAAT tests are much faster
    3. All info must be entered in the ArriveCAN app before reaching the Canadian border

What I’ve Previously Tested Positive for COVID-19?

If you have previously tested positive for COVID-19, bring a positive PCR test with you that is at least 11 days old. This will prove you are no longer contagious, and will allow you across even if your recent test is positive.

How Hard Is It To Get A Test In Grand Rapids?

There are numerous clinics and pharmacies in the area around DeVos Place that offer NAAT and PCR testing for travel, including AFC Urgent Care and CVS.

You can always look up the latest info and the Entering Canada Requirements Checklist at https://travel.gc.ca. If you are having any trouble with the ArriveCAN app, you can reach app support directly at 833-283-7403 or 613-954-8485.

I look forward to seeing many Canadians in Grand Rapids this March. GLFEE is always a great event, and this year it will be even more special for having been away from our friends for so long.