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Hello everyone,

If you weren't one of the more than 350 people who came together for FSCA's first annual convention this past month, you missed a great deal of talent, energy, significant learning focused on school counseling, rave reviews of sessions and pre and post-convention workshops, a celebration dinner for Florida's finest school counselors at each level, administrators and supervisors, a Delegate Assembly where six Chapters were seated and where the slate of officers for 2009-10 were accepted. The hotel was a wonderful upscale site for celebration and collegiality.

The First Annual Convention for the Florida School Counselor Association is now history and what a historical event it was. Thank you to all those who helped to make the convention a success by attending the professional development and networking opportunities from the pre-convention workshops, to the breakout sessions, our fantastic Keynote speaker Julia Taylor and capping off the events with three post-convention workshops. Attendees loved the exhibits and catered breaks- Both the continental breakfasts and the delicious candy and cookies in the afternoon!

The feedback kept pouring in with kudos to the presenters, and on the diversity of topics and the variety of levels addressed in the breakout sessions. In summary, FSCA’s convention was relevant, well attended, and well rated. More than one attendee asked those at the registration table for assistance-there were too many interesting and relevant sessions to attend in each period!

The gala awards dinner was a celebration of school counseling honoring winners for the year with a sumptuous meal. Our first General Assembly for the membership and the Delegate Assembly at which six new chapters were chartered were definitely highlights for the counselors present.  

The Renaissance Orlando Resort at SeaWorld was an excellent venue and plans are already underway to return to the same facility next year. More on this as soon as the contract is finalized.

Thanks to the many volunteers who facilitated sessions, worked the registration tables, ran errands, stuffed bags, or did any of the other many things necessary for a convention of this magnitude. Finally, a special thank you to our three sponsors, Universal Technical Institute, Nova Southeastern University, and The Salon Professional Academy. With over 300 in attendance and more than 20 exhibitors, the convention was a resounding success.

Sue Gertel, MS Ed., CE, NCSC, NCC
FSCA President
sgertel@cfl.rr.com