It is hard to believe that the time is flying past so fast that we have just returned from another Mid-Winter Conference in St. Augustine. I think that all will agree that this conference was one of the most successful in anyone's memory. There were several areas of the conference that I was particularly proud of and I would like to share those with you

The overall attendance at the conference not only surpassed any winter conference in recent years; it actually surpassed what we have been experiencing during the summer conferences. We had a total of 181 members that registered and attended the conference! I think that everyone should be proud of that number, especially considering the number of hours that have been spent trying to come up with ideas to stimulate attendance. In times of shrinking training and travel budgets, these numbers more than exceeded our expectations.

I attribute this increase to several factors, including the creative thinking of our staff members and our board of directors. The staff came up with the idea of encouraging early registrations through two drawings of free registrations and I think it accomplished just that. The executive board and board of directors commitment to involving the new members and first time attendees has done a great deal to encourage fresh ideas into how we do business. Our new member orientation was again very successful with the first time attendees having an opportunity to meet and greet with the executive board and to find out the "nuts and bolts" of what to expect at the conference.

Again we had a terrific turnout from our loyal vendors and there were many positive comments from them about the increased traffic in their area. Between the quality of products, the availability of door prizes in the area and the granting of training hours for time spent with the vendors, I think that our vendors were very pleased. For the time that you spent with them I am very appreciative, as their continued support is so vital to the success of our organization.

Last but certainly not least, I can not say enough about the training program that was facilitated by Chief Doreen Thomas and the Training Committee. I cannot begin to tell you how many times I was stopped during the course of the week because someone just wanted to tell me that the training was "excellent", "right on target", "entertaining", "timely" and so on and so on. I hope that all of our members appreciate the time and effort that goes into putting on a successful training conference for months ahead of time. If you have the opportunity, please take the time to thank one of the people that worked so hard to make it a success.

I would also like to thank the many people that asked me how they could better serve the association and offered to be assigned to a committee. I would ask that if you have not heard from anyone regarding these assignments by the time that you read this, please contact me directly and we will be glad to put you to work. It is certainly nothing personal, it is just that during the hectic activity of the conference things are sometimes forgotten. Again I would like to give my thanks to each member that attended the conference and to the staff and committee members that worked so hard to make it the best yet!

With the success of the conference, we now look ahead to the challenges that lay before us in the upcoming Legislative Session. I would ask each of you to be aware of the agenda that has been prepared by Chief Al Hogle and the Legislative Committee. These items are of vital interest to all of our agencies and the overall quality of law enforcement in the State of Florida. Take the time to speak with your representatives in your area and let's present a unified voice in the halls of the capitol during this session on our issues that we support and oppose. Our legislative breakfast has been scheduled for April 19th at 7:30 am on the 22nd floor of the capitol building. This is an excellent opportunity for you to help us present our items for consideration. Please make your plans now to attend this event, as there certainly is strength in numbers!

It is so hard to believe that half of my term has already flown by, and before we know it we will be gathering for the Summer Conference at Saddlebrook! Our dedicated members and staff certainly make it a pleasure for me to have the honor to represent you and this fine association. See you on April 19th!

May God bless you and yours.

Chief Jay Romine