I wish to thank all who made our first IEA Eastern Region conference meeting very worthwhile. Many could not make this meeting, however I realize many tried - we missed you!
Cheryl Samilio-Meyer from Buffalo Execs first educated the Orlando Assoc. (and opened many eyes), as to the value of belonging to the IEA. She then spent the entire day educating the rest of the attendees at the Marriott Hotel in Lake Mary, FL. Cheryl was invaluable and I want to thank her personally & publicly for all her hard work (and giving up her 32nd Anniversary with her husband to attend this meeting). WOW!
More thanks to Betty Hillman of the Orlando Execs. Assoc. for her outstanding presentation. Thanks also to David Levesque for coming all the way in from Buffalo to attend and bringing in one of Orlando's former longtime members Jim Cook. Fort Lauderdale's Executive Director, Debra Parker-Smith, drove all the way and was a great support, thanks Debra. It was a pleasure to have Randy Crews from the Dayton Beach Assoc. as well. (Thanks, Scott F for sending him) I believe Daytona Beach will be back as IEA members again.
Last but not least I would like to thank Doug Belton of the Orlando Assoc. who supported me (as always) with participating in the entertainment portion of this conference.
Last but not least (again), I would like to Thank Sara Nixon (the new ED in Orlando) for her participating and support.
Thank you all so much for all you contributed to this First IEA Regional Conference.
Best regards, Jerry Barrett/Orlando
