The Florida Surplus Lines Association (FSLA) will hold itsannual convention at Amelia Island Plantation, Amelia Island, July22-24. This is a very special convention for FSLA as it is the 50thanniversary celebration. An excellent program with informativebusiness sessions and many special activities are planned.

This will be the third time the association has held itsconvention at Amelia Island Plantation. The resort has made manyfine changes since the association was last there. All of the guestrooms at the Amelia Inn have been refurnished and boast high-speedInternet access and spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean. Inaddition to the excellent dining facilities at the Amelia Inn,shuttle service is available to take guests to other restaurantsand fine shops on the property.

Superior Lineup of Guest Speakers Will Mark theAssociation's 50th Anniversary

We have an exceptional lineup of presenters this year. Guestspeakers and panel members include Hank Watkins, president ofLloyd's North America; William Berkley, chairman and CEO of W.R.Berkley, Inc.; Douglas Mang of Mang Law Firm, P.A., general counseland lobbyist for FSLA; and Gary Pullen, executive director of theFlorida Surplus Lines Service Office. We also will hear from anAssociate Member company executive and a representative from theFlorida Department of Financial Services.

The Florida Surplus Lines Service Office will offer a two-hourContinuing Education course during the convention.

The convention activities will begin with registration onThursday afternoon, July 22. Thursday evening there will be areception for new members and first-time attendees, followed by areception for all attendees.

The business sessions, speakers, and panel discussion will be onboth Friday morning and Saturday morning. The Continuing Educationcourse will be on Saturday morning.

Fun and Games at Amelia Include Golf, Tennis, WaterSports, even a Cooking School

On Friday afternoon there will be a best-ball golf tournament atone of the resort's championship courses.

For non-golfers, a cooking school will be offered at the resorton Friday afternoon that will include lunch. Tennis and water sportactivities and a first-class spa also are available at theresort.

On Friday evening there will be a group reception and banquet.Special activities have been planned for this event.

FSLA President Bruce Bowers and the Board of Directors inviteall members to attend this convention. The association is expectinga large turnout to celebrate our 50th anniversary, so get yourreservations in early.

Convention material is available at www.myfsla.com and will bemailed out to all members the first week in April.

Roger Gobler is executive director of theFlorida Surplus Lines Association. He may be reached at904-631-1322 or [email protected].