FGCU Alert

FGCU is closing campus to all activities and operations, including all events and classes, Tuesday, October 8 and will remain closed through Friday, October 11. For more information visit FGCU’s Emergency Management website.

2024 Florida Summit

2024 Florida Summit

Florida Gulf Coast University is excited to welcome our state colleagues to the 2024 Florida Summit! We can't wait to host you in Fort Myers Thursday, June 13 & Friday, June 14.

florida summit save the date

Register Today

Register for the Florida Summit today! Registration closes Monday, June 3.

REGISTER

Submit a Presentation Proposal

Interested in presenting? Submit a proposal by by Wednesday, May 15.

SUBMIT A PROPOSAL

Need a presentation template? Download one here.

Become a Sponsor

Looking for ways to support the conference? Check out our opportunities below.

SPONSORSHIPS

Have Questions?

For any questions about registration, presentation proposals, sponsorship opportunities, and more please contact our University Recreation & Wellness team.

Want to learn more about the department? Visit our website

Contact

University Recreation & Wellness

 (239) 590-7733
 urecwell@fgcu.edu

Lodging

Book Your Stay

FGCU Recreation & Wellness has teamed up with a local non-profit, Lee County Sports Housing, to offer discounted hotel accommodations for the conference. 

Reservation specialists are available Monday through Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm EST by calling 239-541-1800.

Discounted rates are only available by calling the above number or reserving directly through the event's housing website link. For tax exemption, you will need to contact the Lee County Sports Housing staff at 239-541-1800 to inform them of your school's tax exempt status before booking. Once a certificate is received, the staff will work with you and the hotels to book.

Reserve Today

Please click the link to view accommodation choices/rates and reserve your lodging. Rates are available for lodging options June 12-15. Everyone is encouraged to reserve through this special housing link and find the best option for your stay!

NIRSA Florida Summit at FGCU - June 12-15, 2024

How to Find Us

We can't wait to welcome you to FGCU! All sessions will be held in FGCU's Academic Building 9 (AB9), also known as the Water School. When you arrive to campus, follow signage to Academic Building 9 (AB9). Parking is available in Garage 1 or Lot 8. Both options are near Academic Building 9 (AB9), also known as the Water School. Please download and print the parking pass to display in your vehicle when parking in either lot.

ACADEMIC BUILDING 9DOWNLOAD PARKING PASSparking map

Conference Schedule

*All sessions and roundtables will take place at FGCU's Academic Building 9 (AB9), also known as the Water School. Facility tours will meet at AB9 and transportation will be provided to and from the respective locations. View the summit program for all session details.

SUMMIT PROGRAM

Time Event location
11:30am - 1:00pm

Check in, Lunch, & Vendor Fair

Lunch & Vendor Fair sponsored by: s 3 design logomatrix logo

AB9 Atrium
1:00pm - 2:00pm

Welcome & Updates

Keynote: Blazing a Path Forward: Do what we do best! presented by Andrea Snead

sponsored by: s 3 design logo

AB9 222
2:15pm - 3:00pm
  • Session: Outdoor Recreation: Alternative Spring Break, Connecting Students to Nature While Giving Back presented by Alicia Ramsdell
    • Location: AB9 106
  • Roundtable: Aquatics & Risk Management
    • Location: AB9 222
  • Tour: of University Recreation & Wellness Center
    • Location: meet in AB9 atrium for bus transportation

AB9 106, 222, or Atrium

3:15pm - 4:00pm
  • Session: Bridging the Gap: How Architecture Reflects Your Campus' Definition of Wellness presented by Bryan Dunkelberger & Kevin Chea
    • Location: AB9 106
  • Roundtable: Wellness & Fitness
    • Location: AB9 222
  • Roundtable: Marketing & Communications
    • Location: AB9 211
  • Tour: of Waterfront, Aquatics Center, and Recreation Outdoor Complex 
    • Location: meet in AB9 atrium for bus transportation
AB9 106, 222, 211, or Atrium
4:15pm - 5:00pm
  • Session: Safety First: Empowering Student Employees through Emergency Response Training presented by Michelle December & Lane Goodwin
    • Location: AB9 106
  • Roundtable: Outdoor Recreation
    • Location: AB9 211
  • Tour: of University Recreation & Wellness Center
    • Location: meet in AB9 atrium for bus transportation
AB9 106, 211, or Atrium
6:30pm - 8:30pm

Social: full dinner will be served

sponsored by: matrix logo

The Boardwalk @ FGCU

FIND US 

Facility tours sponsored by: 

play logo

Time Event location
7:00am - 7:45am

Early Morning Workout

sponsored by: s 3 design logomatrix logo

Join Lisa Caldwell of Florida Gulf Coast University for Vinyasa Yoga. Those interested in participating are encouraged to email Lisa at lacaldwell@fgcu.edu. Summit attendees may also utilize the University Recreation & Wellness Center for their own workout if they choose. Summit name badges are required to enter the facility for any workout.

University Recreation & Wellness Center
9:00am - 9:45am

Breakfast & Vendor Fair

sponsored by: s 3 design logomatrix logo

AB9 138
9:45am - 10:15am Florida Business Meeting AB9 222
10:30am - 11:15am
  • Session: A New Era of Student Health & Recreation in Florida and Beyond presented by Jim Gabel & Ritsaart Marcellis
    • Location: AB9 214
  • Session: Tennis is a Vibe presented by Andrea Snead
    • Location: AB9 106
  • Roundtable: Directors
    • Location: AB9 211
  • Roundtable: Facilities & Events
    • Location: AB9 222
AB9 214, 106, 211, or 222
11:30am - 12:15pm
  • Session: Take the Party Outside: The Next Generation of Outdoor Fitness Recreation Facility Design presented by Erik Kocher, Suzanne Ries, & Amy Swingle
    • Location: AB9 106
  • Session: Bilingual Group Fitness Instruction - Quick Start presented by Sofia Moron Marquez 
    • Location: AB9 211
  • Roundtable: Sport Programs
    • Location: AB9 222
AB9 106, 211, or 222
12:15pm

Boxed Lunch & Depart

lunch sponsored by: s 3 design logomatrix logo

AB9 Atrium

Keynote Speaker

Sponsored bys 3 design logo

Andrea has been a professional and advocate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for over 20 years, and has proudly served ten of those as a spirited facilitator. She joined the USTA as Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in July of 2021 and works closely with the USTA Community Tennis department to increase awareness, relevance and engagement among all diverse communities.

She began her career facilitating and educating on DEI with the University of Central Florida’s (UCF) Recreation and Wellness Center. During her time at UCF, Andrea spearheaded the inclusion of gaming and adaptive clubs to broaden aspects of diversity within sport clubs, which included the first collegiate wheelchair tennis team in Florida. She also served as chair of UCF’s Recreation and Wellness Center Diversity Committee, a member of the UCF Police Department’s Chief Advisory Council, and was a team lead for the university’s bias incident group on campus. Andrea is also a champion for DEI within her professional association, NIRSA, where she has served on the Board of Directors, as well as the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Commission.

Andrea holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, a Master’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and her and her wife Laura have 4 boys, Jaylin, Jordan, RJ, and Xxavier, and 4 fur babies, Tony, Nippy, Jaxon, and Saint.

Andrea Snead headshotAndrea Snead

Enjoy Your Time in Fort Myers!

Looking to make a trip out of your visit? Explore all that the SWFL area has to offer!

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

The Florida Summit would not be possible without the support of our partners and sponsors. Thank you to the following vendors for their help with this year's event:

Eagle Sponsors

s three design logo
matrix logo

Cobalt Blue Sponsor

plae logo

Emerald Green Sponsors

fitrev logo
globetrotter wellness solutions logo
mondo logo
woodway logo
ecore athletic logo
hastings and chivetta logo
specialized fitness resources logo
 

Cool Slate Sponsors

cannon design logo
fusion logo

In Kind Donations

college promo logo

k w a branding group logo

Shoutout to This Year's Conference Planning Committee:

Joe Arledge

Renee Barr

Andrew Funari

Chris Halle

Emily Helm

Nikki Kirdahy

Kristen LaFleur

Aisha Lewis

Jenny Louisa

Billy Marcantel

Sharon McLaughlin

Emma Reeners

Suzanne Ries