President's Welcome

Print this Article | Send to Colleague

Saying we’re back has much more meaning than the fact that this is the second time we have hosted the Annual Conference and Expo at the Historic Renaissance Vinoy and Golf Club in downtown St. Petersburg. It also speaks to the ups and downs faced by our profession and FLASLA during the past few years. We all know the economic downturn had a significant impact on all of us. But I can confidently say that we are beginning to see signs of positive growth and expansion not only for landscape architects but also for your professional association. 

After declines and then stagnation, we are seeing our membership begin to grow and it looks like attendance at this year's conference will be close to historical highs! So in a way ‘we’re back’ is as much about the vibrant return of our profession and the continued efforts of FLASLA to work on your behalf. It hasn’t been easy; but make no mistake, FLASLA has been busy this past year. Building upon a brand new website, continuing efforts to protect our licensure through focused advocacy initiatives, delivering new up-to-date content in print and online, and a new initiative to begin a series of online training courses in partnership with Distance Learn Pro! None of this would be possible without the hard work and dedication of our volunteers at the state and section level. 

To all who have supported us this year and in years prior, I offer my heartfelt thanks. And to those of you who will be attending the conference, welcome back to St. Petersburg!

Michael D. Miller, PLA, ASLA
2013 FL|ASLA Chapter President