As I sit by a warm fire trying to escape this record cold weather, I began to think of what 2010 has in store for us as an industry and association.  In December I recapped the many accomplishments of our association and its efforts to help our businesses and our industry.  While a "what have you done for me lately?" report is important to remind us of the accomplishments of our association, as leaders and business owners we are always more concerned with what is in store in the future.

While feelings are mixed as to what will happen in our industry, it is safe to say it will be another lean year.  At FICAP, however, 2010 promises to be another year full of informative meetings that will no doubt provide each of us with helpful tools to assist us in our businesses.  Our line-up of meetings includes our quarterly education event in March, a presentation on antitrust guidelines, and roving meetings at two of our producer members' plants.  April will bring our economic forum with the national economist from the National Association of Home Builders, and other distinguished economists.  In July we return to the beautiful Sandpearl Resort in Clearwater for our annual convention. Mark you calendars now for July 14-18 as we look forward to another exciting convention.

We start off the year with a very important meeting.  During our social hour we will have a "meet and greet" session with some of our legislators, giving us a great opportunity to get to know these elected officials who are friends of our industry, and express our desires and concerns directly to those who can make a difference.  Our speaker for the evening is Adam Babington, legislative counsel, Florida Chamber of Commerce.  Mr. Babington will be speaking on Hometown Democracy, a constitutional amendment that will appear on the November ballot in Florida.  Passage of this amendment, also known as Amendment 4, will without question be devastating to our industry.  Please make every effort to attend this important meeting on January 26^th, and learn what you can do to help your company, your community, and your industry fight this anti-growth proposal.  "All that is necessary for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing." - Edmond Burke

Constitutional amendment discussions, an economic forum, antitrust education, a free industry specific education event, and a fun-filled convention, all in the first half of the year.  I can't think of another organization that gives its members more value for their membership dollar than FICAP.  Thank you for your continued support and service to your association.