Inside Behavior Analysis
Volume 1 | 2009 | Number 1
Florida ABA (FABA)
By H. Allen Murphy
FABA's 28th annual conference was held September 17-20, 2008, at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa in Bonita Springs. This was our first venture to southwest Florida with its wealth of native species. Attendees were able to view dolphins swimming in the adjacent lagoon from the hotel or take a guided boat ride through the mangroves. The natural beauty of this relatively unspoiled bit of Florida was the inspiration for the 2008 logo, "Why are we not acting to save the world?" an obvious reference to one of Skinner's papers. To go along with this theme, reusable cloth shopping bags printed with the logo were provided to all conference attendees.
The 2008 conference featured 11 pre-conference workshops on Wednesday plus four post-conference Saturday workshops. In between, there were 78 sessions, 19 posters, and lots of dancing at the Thursday evening Cocktail Party. Among the presenters were Jon Bailey, John Lutzker, Jim Partington, Brian Iwata, Dave Wilder, Cathleen Piazza, Jack Michael, Ray Miltenberger, Tim Vollmer, and Jim Johnston. For the first time, three presentations were co-sponsored by the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts.
Amy Sutherland's Keynote Address "What Shamu Taught Me about Life, Love and Marriage" was well received as was Tony Gelabert's Presidential Address "How Not to Start a Career, but Still End Up Where You Belong" in which he guided the audience through those fortunate, and some not so fortunate, circumstances resulting in a lifetime vocation of serving those with developmental disabilities. A moving tribute titled "Todd R. Risley (1937-2007): A Giant with His Arms Around Us" was organized by John Lutzker with Nate Azrin, Jon Bailey, Judy Favell, Jack Michael, Jerry Shook, Beth Sulzer-Azaroff, and Cheryl Risley as the speakers.
The current economic downturn was felt by FABA when, two days before the conference, a travel freeze for all State employees was announced. This seems to have taken its toll as the number of conference attendees decreased to slightly fewer than 900, almost 150 less than in recent years. Financial difficulties have dominated the 2009 legislative season with FABA and its members actively involved in attempting to stave off further cuts to services for those with disabilities and higher education. At this point, the differences between the House and Senate budgets may not be resolved until late June. On a brighter note, one bill that did pass proclaimed the week of September 28 to October 3, 2009, as the second annual Florida Behavior Analysis Week.
Perhaps not surprisingly, the 2009 FABA Conference is scheduled for September 30-October 2. We will be returning to the popular Hilton Daytona Beach Ocean Walk Village located right on the Atlantic Ocean. The timely 2009 Keynote Address. "How to Win Friends and Influence Legislators" will be provided by Lorri Unumb. An exciting slate of events is in the works for 2009. Keep posted by visiting www.FABAworld.org where you can shop on line at the FABA Store or stay in touch with your behavioral friends via FABA net.