July/August 2019

  WOW!! AMAZING!! FUN!! These are just a few of the many words I could use to describe our conference this year at the Caribe Royale in Orlando.

 Our Education offerings were top-notch beginning with Don Wilson and Gary Kent on Wednesday for two separate 6 hour seminars. I attended Mr. Wilson's class on Forensic Evidence and came away from the class knowing a lot more than I did going into it. I heard great things about Mr. Kent's ALTA seminar as well. On Thursday morning, Mr. Wilson and Mr. George Cole presented separate 3 hour seminars. Both were well attended with good reports on each. Saturday's sessions were also well attended with a Panel Discussion on the Laws and Rules. Many thanks go to our volunteer instructors for the Saturday sessions. We have some very talented folks among us.

 What can I say about our Bar BQ on Wednesday night? Absolutely delicious food prepared by teams led by Bob Strayer and Steve Carwile. It was SO good. Well done, guys!!!

 A change this year was having a Top Golf event on Thursday afternoon. Sixty folks attended and I believe I can say that all of us had a really good time. It was comfortable, easy paced with lots of laughter sounding through the bays.

 Many thanks to Trimble for sponsoring our Exhibitor's Reception. The Hall was packed and I believe everyone enjoyed getting a start on seeing what our Exhibitors had to offer. Thanks also go to Trimble for their generous donation of $7500 to the Community Foundation of North Florida Scholarship Fund.

 Thursday evening brought our Legislative Reception which supports FSMPAC. We were pleased to have Senator Kelli Stargel as our speaker and those of us in attendance enjoyed listening to her views and feel we have a friend to our profession in Senator Stargel.

 The Friday General Business Session went smoothly and I hope was informative to our members. Thanks to all who attended.

 Our Exhibit Hall was one of the best I've ever seen. Many interesting things with good diversity including survey equipment, software, fleet support, and medical among many. The sandbox was once again a big hit. The conference wouldn't happen without our loyal Exhibitors and we appreciate them very much.

 Our Friday afternoon meetings included an FDOT Town Hall, NSPS Amicus Brief Presentation by President Lisa Van Horn, Geospatial Users Group, and Surveyors in Government. A big thank you to V.P. Matt Laluzerne who facilitated a Young Surveyors Network meeting and will be assisting with mentoring this group. Our younger generation is the future of our profession and we all need to step up and get them engaged in everything we do as a profession.

 The Recognition Banquet on Friday night was great. I can't say enough about our Award winners and our Chapters. Overall the Chapter contributions which included Conference Sponsorships, FSMS Scholarship Fund, FSMPAC and Door prizes totaled over $36,000. What a great testament to the exceptional efforts of our Chapters and members. Congrats to Charlotte Harbor and Manasota as winners of Small and Large Chapters of the Year.

 You missed a real treat if you weren't there. Next year will be at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens and I hope to see you there.