Sunrise in Ft. Lauderdale takes place over the Atlantic Ocean. The Broward County Convention Center is within walking distance of the Port Everglades Marina.

A total of 41 new fellows were inducted on Oct. 8 at the annual ASLA meeting in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. The record-breaking class was inducted at the Saturday night ceremony that was a highlight of this year's gathering of landscape architects.

Reaching fellow status is one of the most elite career achievements in the field of landscape architecture. The annual ceremony brings together some of the most recognizable names in the field, and is a never-to-be-forgotten experience for new inductees.

Many honorees, like Al Bohling of the Shive-Hattery Inc. design firm in Cedar Rapids, Ia., attended the event surrounded by family members. He said the best part of the evening was reconnecting with colleagues and other friends. "To me, it's not about my own accomplishments," Bohling said at the event. "It's about all the people I've worked with who have brought out the best in me. I'm seeing a lot of people here who I haven't seen in a long time."

A look around this year's EXPO show in the Broward County Convention Center also gave design professionals a peek at new products and trends. Several commented on the rapidly-growing selection of shade structures. Other hot product catagories included permeable paving technology, new fountains and waterproof light fixtures.

Also at this year's show, outgoing Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF) president Phil Arnold handed over the charity's reins to Len Hopper, a former ASLA president now with the City of New York. Held at Ft. Lauderdale's historic Sheppard House, this year's LAF fundraiser drew more than 100 patrons who paid $175 each to support the group's mission. Among LAF's upcoming events is a forum scheduled for Oct. 28 at U.C. Davis which will look at the influence of population growth on American landscape architecture over coming decades. More information on LAF events is available at www.laprofession.org

Editors and ad reps for Landscape Architect and Specifier News spent the show sharing ideas with design professionals and advertisers at the magazine's booth on the show floor. The staff expresses its thanks to everyone who stopped by, and looks forward to meeting again at next year's event in Minneapolis, Minn.