As the final reviews come in, I'm happy to report this was one of the best conferences we have had in a long time. More than 600 landscape architects and vendors joined us this year for four days of outstanding CE, multiple networking opportunities and, yes, food and fun! I'm proud to say that this year each one of the highly popular tours were sold out, prior to the conference even starting. A big thank you to Ken Sussman and the entire conference committee for an outstanding job. Also, we can never say thank you enough to our sponsors and exhibitors for your continued support. The results of this year's conference will help keep the chapter in solid financial shape this year and allow us to continue to advocate on your behalf.

And speaking of advocacy, the Government Affairs Committee (GAC) recently sent out a survey to determine your priorities for the next year. If you have not already done so please click here and take a moment to share your thoughts with us. Your feedback will help us best determine what issues should be our priorities in the coming year. The Florida Chapter is looking to take much more proactive steps on behalf of the profession and the GAC is helping to lead the way!  

Additionally, I encourage each of you to join the Friends of Landscape Architecture Political Committee. The Friends of Landscape Architecture provides the resources necessary to promote and advance Landscape Architecture in Florida. As a statutorily regulated profession, Florida's Landscape Architects are recognized as state registered professionals. This distinction results from the Florida Legislature's recognition of the practice of Landscape Architecture. The FLAPC is currently having a membership drive! Please click here to join!

Chapter nominations have closed and the slate of candidates is set! We have a strong slate this year and voting will be open very soon. This is your opportunity to choose who will represent your section and your chapter, so please cast your vote.

Finally, I'm very pleased to announce that one of our very own, Christopher Flagg, ASLA, of Flagg Design Studio in Jacksonville, has been named an ASLA Fellow. The designation of Fellow is conferred on individuals in recognition of exceptional accomplishments over a sustained period of time. Individuals considered for this distinction must be full members of ASLA in good standing for at least 10 years and must be recommended to the Council of Fellows by the Executive Committee of their local chapter, the Executive Committee of ASLA, or the Executive Committee of the Council of Fellows. Congratulations Chris!!

Until next month,

Michael Miller, ASLA

FL|ASLA President

FL|ASLA Conference 2014 at the Ocean Reef Club, Key Largo – July 24-26