After wrapping up the CFA Summer Convention in New Mexico, I was extremely impressed with the energy and participation of all the attendees. Thank you’s need to go out to Ed Sauter and Jim Baty for what I believe is the best summer convention I have attended.

The content and theme “How to Survive a Down Economy” were timely and meaningful. The energy level and excitement by all was very rewarding. Although we had a low turn out this year and believe me, I understand why with the housing market the way it is, I would encourage all members of CFA to try to make next year’s summer convention at Amelia Island, Florida. The meetings continue to get better every year and next year promises to continue this trend. Most meetings provide me with something I have learned and that I can take back to my business, which pays for the cost and time of attending.

Some of the highlights of the summer convention were:

• The Initial Kick Off of CFA member Companies Certification, certificate testing, and CMU’s granted for the education. The testing was difficult, we wanted a program that has teeth and means something and we got it. We hope as CFA Company Certification grows and matures that it will have a major impact for CFA and our member companies.
• Secondly, participation in a committee meeting was outstanding and very productive. The major highlight of CFA Board planning retreat last fall was to encourage more participation on committee’s by non-board members. Well, we are off to a great start with the participation we saw at the summer committee meeting. To all of you that took part, thank you.

And finally, I would like to say thank you to Brad Schrock for his leadership and direction over the last two years as President of CFA. He has given me personally and the board a lot to live up to. Thank you again, Brad.