Literally dozens of members, as well as vendors from all over the state, have contacted our executive director and me to congratulate FPCA on the very professionally organized conference. We also appreciate the feedback from members on how to improve future conferences. Working together with our business and professional partners is the proven way to achieve excellence.

For a Mid-Winter Conference, this one was well attended by both vendors and members. More than 165 members attended, 19 of which were new and took advantage of our new member's program.

About 130 exhibitors provided state-of- the-art equipment and information. We also are so thankful and appreciative for the continued relationship FPCA enjoys with long-term sponsors, who underwrite many of the costly activities. These sponsors and vendors in general are so vital to our association's financial stability. I want to personally thank you for your continued support and friendship.

Chief David Thompson of Atlantic Beach did an outstanding job as chairperson of our Training Committee to develop and coordinate numerous diverse presentations that were interesting, informative and extremely well- attended. We thank you, David, and look forward with great anticipation to another great training experience at our upcoming Summer Conference, which will be held June 27 through July 1 at the Baypoint Marriott in Panama City Beach.

Besides outstanding training, excellent networking, and meeting and greeting new members, there were a few other happenings worth noting. Your board officers advanced an aggressive strategic plan that was approved by our membership. Also, your Legislative Committee is very active with legislative issues and is working closely with our criminal justice partners to bring about the desired results during this legislative session.

Executive Director Hal Robbins, even with his busy schedule, has agreed to become FPCA's legislative coordinator in Tallahassee! Hal is going to be awesome in this new role. Because of limited space in these magazine articles, I'll outline much of the significant work being accomplished by our many committees at the summer conference.

I would like to conclude this article with what I personally believe was one of the significant highlights of this year's Mid-Winter Conference. Our new Commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Guy Tunnell, along with his Deputy Commissioners Scotty Sanderson and Dr. Jim Sewell, received a hearty, warm welcome from FPCA.

The new commissioner obviously has a huge heart and passion for service and is working closely with his professional partners throughout the state. His friendly and genuine remarks both to your board of officers on Sunday and our general membership on Monday, speaks volumes about his character and leadership style. We look forward to our continued excellent partnership with FDLE under its new leadership.

Paul G. Rumbley