Dear Friends and Colleagues,

As we close the book on our annual meeting in ‘The Big Easy’ of New Orleans, I just want to again say how much I appreciate all of the personal effort and commitment that went into planning, organizing, and delivering such a wonderful event. From the leadership of our Steering Committee, co-chaired by Dale Conklin, ASLA, and Kerry Blind, FASLA, to the on-site efforts of the Louisiana Chapter, to the spectacular performance of our ASLA meeting staff -- it was a great event.

We had a truly memorable location, a superior program, some outstanding keynote speakers and education sessions, enlightening tours, our biggest expo ever with 639 exhibits, a Gala that will long be remembered and numerous other fun, special events – it was the epitome of “laissez les bon temps rouler!”

It was great to see and hear the enthusiastic response of those in attendance to the general assembly presentations with Dr. Richard Jackson, Joel Kotkin, Steve Thomas, and James Carville. I will long remember this year’s annual awards, medals, and honors presentations, highlighted by those presented to Claire R. Bennett, FASLA, for the President’s Medal, to Lawrence B. Halprin, FASLA, for the ASLA Design Medal, and Jones and Jones, Architects and Landscape Architects, Ltd. for the Landscape Architecture Firm Award.

As we look ahead to 2004 and the new challenges that face us, I hope that you will be able to draw on information gathered, contacts made, and lessons learned in New Orleans. And I hope you will take this year to advance the profession though practice and service at both the Society and community levels.

This was a particularly special meeting for me and I appreciate all those who made an effort to attend. I look forward to seeing you again next October in the beautiful landscape of Salt Lake City, Utah!

Best Regards,

Paul F. Morris, FASLA
Immediate Past President

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