We know that our journalists, artists and designers do excellent work, and our industry colleagues also appreciate that work. Again this year, our staff was honored with awards from two important organizations: The American Society of Business Publication Editors, a national organization encompassing hundreds of newspapers and magazines, and the Alliance of Area Business Publications (AABP), which represents more than 70 independent magazines and newspapers in the United States, Canada, Australia and Mexico.

Our executive editor, Mark Howard, and I are particularly proud that the awards recognize work by virtually every designer and writer for the magazine, including the freelance correspondents. Mark asked me to point that out. He said it's also important for our readers to know that over the past 10 years, at a time when many newspapers and magazines have cut back on editorial staff and resources, Trend has maintained its commitment to good journalism by continuing to invest in staff and resources.

He and I believe that commitment has helped keep the magazine's standards high. Most important, we believe it has kept us in touch with our readers and with the trends that are shaping Florida. Just as important, we've been able to make that commitment efficiently. (Mark likes to remind me that he's come in under budget each year since he became editor nine years ago.) He and I think it's the right way to operate a publication that understands business and the need to earn a dollar.

When you have good people and the right organization, you get results. One of those results is awards, and we're proud of them. But our most important award will continue to be the trust we have from you, our readers, and the knowledge that we're meeting your needs. Ultimately, your judgment matters most of all.

Please join me in recognizing Florida Trend's editorial staff and in welcoming its newest member, Amy Keller, a veteran reporter who grew up in Kendall and comes to us from Roll Call newspaper in Washington, D.C. We know she shares the commitment to excellence and fair, accurate reporting that continues to distinguish Florida Trend.

The following AABP awards were judged by faculty at the University of Missouri School of Journalism:
Best Cover: "Damage Control," which accompanied reporting on the four hurricanes that struck Florida last summer. Gary Bernloehr, art director, received a gold award, the top honor.
Best Overall Design: Another gold award for Gary.
Best Personality Profile: Associate Editor Mike Vogel received a gold award for his story, "Genius, Interrupted," on Boca Raton entrepreneur Hank Asher.
Best Body of Work/Single Writer: Another gold award for Mike.
Best Feature Layout: Gary got a bronze award for his layout of "Uncertain Legacy," a story dealing with the state's land acquisition policy. Gary got another bronze for Best Use of Photography/Illustrations for the same story.
Best Feature: Mike got a bronze award for "Shell Shock," a story about the battle over a location for the Scripps Research Institute in Palm Beach County.
Best Headlines: Bronze.
Best Magazine: Silver.
The American Society of Business Publication Editors recognized Mike's "Genius, Interrupted" with a gold award for individual profile. And our "Around The State" section written by Amy Brill, Charlotte Crane, Pat Dunnigan, Ken Ibold, Bob Snell and David Villano won a silver award in the news section category.Lynda Keever can be reached by e-mail at LKeever@floridatrend.com.