Now that the World Conference is over, we are starting to get back to normal again. One of the normal things that we have to do for the club is to start planning for next year. A nominating committee is being appointed to come up with a slate of officers. Most of the present officers are willing to continue for another year, but all would like someone else to assume the position if they have an interest. If you are willing to serve on the board or be an officer next year, please let Fay O’Rourke or another board member know. If you have a question about the job, contact that person or Fay and get more information. We would love to get more people involved, if we all share the load, we will not burn out the few.

The Daytona Beach Resort and Conference Center, 2700 North Atlantic Ave., will be offering special rates of $69.00 plus tax per night. Reservations can be made at 386-672-3770 or 800-654-6216, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You must mention Extravaganza ’02 to take advantage of the low rate. There is supposed to be a cut off date of August 25, so call them ASAP if you are interested.

The extravaganza is a good chance to meet bromeliad people from all across the state and have a really good time in the process. This should be a very good extravaganza on the beach.

One of the leading bromeliad nurseries in the world is right at our back door, just north of Sarasota. Dennis and Linda Cathcart own the nursery and have been members of our society for many years. Dennis received an award at the World conference for his efforts to promote bromeliads and his special contributions to this area of interest.

Tropiflora grows and sells their bromeliads, orchids and other exotic plants all over the world through the mail. They maintain a quarterly newsletter called the Cargo Report, which is well worth reading. Beside being informative, it is also very entertaining, full of Dennis’ tales of life in the wild collecting bromeliads.

In the latest issue of the Cargo Report, they wrote:

"If you missed the
Bromeliad Beach Party
Fifteenth World Bromeliad Conference
You missed one of the best bromeliad conferences ever!

Our hats are off to all those who worked so hard to make the conference such a huge success and so much fun for all those that attended. The host society, The Florida West Coast Bromeliad Society and volunteer BSI members from all over came together in a magnificent way, creating one of the most exciting, entertaining, visually beautiful and monetarily rewarding conferences in memory. Many thanks also to all those who attended, from all over the U.S. and many countries around the world. This was truly a word-class event!

These bromeliad conferences are sponsored by the BSI, and a discounted rate is a benefit of membership. These conferences are the premier events of the bromeliad world, a great time to enjoy the beauty of bromeliads, add to your collection, meet old friends and make new friends.

The 16th Bromeliad World Conference will be held in Chicago in 2004. Start planning now to attend. You’ll be glad you did!"

Dennis never misses a chance to promote bromeliads or the BSI. The FWCBS wants to thank the Cathcarts for their generosity and efforts to help the bromeliad world.

Tropiflora has several special events at their nursery each year, where they sell off their excess stock and bring in some special plants. These events are a lot of fun and a chance to meet other enthusiasts from all over the state and add some very nice plants to your collection.

If anyone in the FWCBS wants to order something from Tropiflora, either by phone or e-mail, you can usually have them delivered at the meeting and save the postage. Keep this in mind as they carry lots of books and growing supplies in stock also.

We want to thank Dennis and Linda for everything that they did to make the World Conference a success and for everything that they do for the FWCBS and other clubs in the state.

Everyone who entered plants in the show is to be congratulated and thanked for their efforts.