The frigid temperatures did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm at the 55th Annual Conference and Exhibition of the NYSAPLS at the Rochester Riverfront Convention Center and the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Approximately 600 attendees enjoyed 35 plus seminar sessions by 20 different speakers, plus nine optional shortened (one-hour) programs featured in the exhibit hall and as hands-on learning lab sessions. Many surveying students from a variety of New York programs also experienced the education and camaraderie of the three-day conference, beginning with the 1st annual “student day” which brought both students and licensees together on the opening day of conference to network for an afternoon.

Conference Chairman Ken Stigner, PLS, with Director of Operations, Amber Anderson, and the Conference and Education Committees, prepared an offering of courses from communications to highway law, and ethics to cloud modeling to meet the varied interests of the attendees.

The large exhibit hall was filled with vendors of equipment, supplies, educational opportunities, and the expansive NYSAPLS book store. The hall was also the location for strolling lunches with the exhibitors, as well as the Welcome Reception Wednesday evening.

Thursday evening was the President’s Gala Dinner, which included the installation of officers for 2014, with the passing of the gavel to incoming President Joe Malinowski, who for many years has been instrumental in the selection of continuing education courses at the conference.

The evening also included Donald (Dick) Thomas receiving the NYSAPLS Lifetime Achievement Award. The retiring Chris Westbrook, from the SUNY Ranger School, received the Friend of the Association Award for his many years of service to the students and surveyors of New York. The influential and well respected Malcom Shaw was honored as Surveyor of the Year. Keynote speaker, Dr. Steve Sobel, entertained the assembly with his down-home humor and life truisms to hopefully assist everyone in leading a happy and fruitful life.

Scholarship was also an important part of this conference. Approximately $7,500 was generated at the Annual Scholarship Auction. The Scholarship and New Licensee presentation was the scene of scholarships being awarded to surveying students. 

The NYSAPLS Auxiliary also had a fun-filled three-day program including wine tasting and pairing, a session on the Erie Canal Legacy, a “Ghost Walk: Stories from Rochester’s Past”, a desert bar along with the popular auxiliary lounge.

The Turning Stone Resort and Conference Center will be the site for this impressive conference in January, 2015