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FOWA Executive Director’s Message 03/24/08
Corporate Members
Greetings...just a few updates and some new member news:
2008 Conference, Punta Gorda
Planning for the 2008 Conference is well underway and all looks under control. The folks at Charlotte County CVB have been a great help and the only problem seems to be that we're going to just have too much to do! Registration materials will go out in early June, but mark your calendars for September 10-13 NOW!
In addition to the Conference, FOWA will be sponsoring a 'Hook Kids on Fishing' program on Sunday, September 14. FOWA Corporate Member Coastal Angler Magazine (Rodney Smith, Tom Van Horn, Chris Myers) has been doing these programs for a few years now with great success.
FOWA's Board of Directors recently voted to sponsor the September program at Punta Gorda as part of our 501(c)(3) not-for-profit obligation. As Karen Smith (Rodney's much better half!) puts it, "There something very special about taking a kid fishing. There are a lot of spectacular things happening about getting hundreds of kids plus parents and volunteers together on the waterfront to go fishing and learn more about fishing, safety and conservation." Of course, we'll need FOWA member volunteers, so plan to stay later at Punta Gorda if you can. We'll have more specific details soon.
New Board Members
The Board of Directors elected Walt Jennings to replace me as Chairman of the Board for the balance of the year and elected Mary Craven (Citrus County VCB) to serve the balance of an unexpired term as our Tourism Liaison Board Member. Thanks to both of them for volunteering their time and energy. I look forward to working with them.
TO OUR TOURISM MEMBERS
We don't want our Tourism Members to just pay their dues and go away. You are the lifeblood of our organization. We appreciate your support by way of your annual dues and in your hosting of FOWA Conferences. And, we enjoy knowing you're there to assist us when we travel the state on assignments.
I know times have been tough in the tourism industry recently, so don't forget that you have unlimited use of FOWA's membership lists (Excel Databases and E-Mail Document) for mailings and promotions. As you know, there's great value in editorial coverage, and our members are the right folks to target with new ideas and destination information. Just let me know, and I'll send you a disc with the latest files. If you need it, there is a complete listing available from last year's Membership Directory at fowa.org
FOWA Tourism Liaison Mary Craven (mary.craven@visitcitrus.com) is your direct line to FOWA. You'll be hearing more from her as we get closer to Conference time, where we hope to see you exhibit your wares'. I'm going to continue the Auction Chairman job (Like I need something else to do!), so you'll be hearing about that, too.
TO OUR CORPORATE MEMBERS
We don't want our Corporate Members to just pay their dues and go away. You are the lifeblood of our organization. We appreciate your support by way of your annual dues, sponsorship of our EIC awards categories and our fund-raising auction. We also enjoy seeing you at our Annual Conferences and at the Breakout Session there.
I know times have been tough in the outdoors industry recently, so don't forget that you have unlimited use of FOWA's membership lists
(Excel Databases and E-Mail Document) for mailings and promotions.
As you know, there's great value in editorial coverage, and our members are the right folks to target with new ideas and product information. Just let me know, and I'll send you a disc with the latest files. If you need it, there is a complete listing available from last year's Membership Directory online.
FOWA Corporate Liaison Paul Michele is your direct line to FOWA. You'll be hearing more from him as we get closer to Conference and Breakout time. I'm going to continue the Auction Chairman job (Like I need something else to do!), so you'll be hearing about that, too.
NEW FOWA MEMBERS
We've got a nice group of new members to welcome to FOWA. If you need contact information on new members before the Membership Directory comes out (in April, je pense), please give me a click or call.
Active Members: Jim Sutton (Jacksonville/St. Augustine), Chris Myers (Longwood), Sondra Jack (Jacksonville), John Baumann (Orlando), Bob Buehn (Orange Park/Jacksonville)
Tourism Members: Pickett's Landing at Carrabelle, Ocala/Marion County VCB, St. Lucie County TDC, Visit Jacksonville, Flagler County C of C
Corporate Members: The Gauntlet Fishing Series , Evolution Products (rods), H.D. Wood Advertising (Triton Boats, U.S. Reel), King Sailfish Mounts, Innovative Textiles (PowerPro), Smith & Wesson, Lamiglass (rods/rod blanks), Xtra Look, Inc., Costa del Mar (sunglasses), SmartShield Sunscreens, C&H Lures.
Welcome, all!
Tommy Thompson
Executive Director, FOWA
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