Putting together a conference, much less one the size of hosting the Flying Short Course, is no small task. Our event would not be possible without the help of many, many people.

I specifically want to thank Patricia Cummings and Prof. Raleigh Souther, both of whom have been incredibly generous with their time and energy, often lightening  my load when I needed it most.  I also must offer my sincere thanks to Ron Taniwaki of Nikon and Amy Kawadler of Canon. Both Amy and Ron helped teach me the many things I did not know, and both have helped create what I think is one of the best photojournalism seminars in the country this year.  And it is also important that a lot of this came to be with the help of Robert Hanashiro of SportsShooter. Bert and I emailed a great deal about how best to host the Short Course well before we even submitted a proposal to the NPPA.

Special thanks need to go to the following people, whose help has been and continues to be crucial: Dave DeVries, Nancy Byrne, Wendell Crow, Peggy Bockman, Terence Love III, TC Baker, Christina House, Songha Lee, Marcia Prouse, Colin Crawford, Ira Mark Gostin, Dr. Tony Fellow, Leslie Umali, Sal Aguilar, Maria Raspanti, Jaime Gomez, Matt Petit, Kristen Moore, Kevin Rogers, Corey Morgan, Aimee James, Maria Elena Martinez and Carmella Gomez.

And thanks to, of course, the speakers.  We have been blessed by many of the world's top photojournalists, and it is an honor to have them here. It is very humbling to know there are so many richly-talented people so willing to share their time and talents with so many of us. To them we are grateful.

Thank you, and I hope you enjoy the weekend.

Davis Barber