It's hard to believe that it has been eight years since I began my tenure as editor of then Insurance Conference Planner. Nearly 50 issues later, there is so much I am proud of — from the heartfelt November/December 2001 issue of ICP with the story of how the meeting planners at Aon Corp. survived the loss of 200 of their colleagues and used meetings to help move on after the 9/11 terrorist attacks; to the November/December 2005 rebranding of ICP into FIM; to my work on Financial & Insurance Conference Planners' design team education committee for FICP's 2007 and 2009 annual conferences and 2008 Education Forum.

Most meaningful to me are the relationships I have made during these years — with readers, industry partners, and my many talented colleagues. Particularly in these challenging times, our friendships mean more than ever.

I will continue to contribute to FIM as FICP liaison and editor-at-large for all the MeetingsNet magazines. I look forward to catching up with you in person at industry conferences and events, and to being in touch about future stories. I have no doubt that, together, we will not only weather the changes facing our industries but will forge exciting new beginnings with strength and creativity.
Regina Baraban, editor, rbaraban@comcast.net