2013 FLASLA CONFERENCE AND EXPO TO BE HELD IN JULY!

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The conference was last held here over 12 years ago and during the time that has passed, a dynamic urban transformation has occurred steps from the Vinoy. The surrounding area has been transformed into a vibrant pedestrian-oriented center featuring museums, artist galleries, dining, entertainment, recreational and sightseeing venues for all to enjoy. We are excited about returning to the Tampa Bay area and engaging our section members, their families, and our valued sponsors, vendors and industry affiliates in this energizing environment.

The theme for this year’s conference is ‘Connecting Practice and Progress, Art-Science-Ecology-Economy.’ Landscape Architects are uniquely positioned, by virtue of their focus on the exterior environment, to collaborate in a lead role with other disciplines to promote integrated site design solutions on a wide variety of project types. The increasing complexity of many of these projects calls for more sophisticated and inter-connected design solutions that integrate the local community context and project requirements with artistic and cultural values, scientific research findings, emerging technologies, sustainable site practices, ecological stewardship and sound business practices.

At the same time, Landscape Architects are learning to be more competitive by working leaner and more efficiently, re-defining their organizational structures, upgrading their professional business practices and skill sets and grappling with emerging legislative challenges and generational workplace values. This includes "testing the waters" and branching out into new market areas and re-defining existing ones in order to remain relevant and effective in today’s rapidly changing economy. Not to be discounted is the continued emphasis on achieving greater site sustainability as an integral part of promoting the mission of the profession and preserving the environment for future generations. Similarly, the membership can benefit from taking a few moments to re-connect with nature to revitalize the spiritual and creative side of the profession.

We strongly believe that this year’s conference will provide everyone with relevant and different educational opportunities to advance their professional careers and their firm’s success in the marketplace. Members will be able to experience this firsthand through interactive tours, workshops and courses. The conference will engage both the local context of the West Coast of Florida and those from allied disciplines that have worked together to create artful integrated design solutions. On behalf of the FLASLA Executive Committee and the 2013 Conference Committee, we welcome and encourage all of our members, affiliates and allied professions to attend.

See you in July!!

Kenneth B. Sussman, ASLA, AICP. LEED AP
Tampa Bay Section Chair
2013 Conference Chair