FSAE26 Full Program

Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Trade Show

 THURSDAY, JULY 16 

7:00 Am - 8:00 Am Coffee & Conversations with Exhibitors

8:00 am - 9:00 am - Leadership Breakfast - All Attendees Invited

Start your day with a hot, plated breakfast and networking while learning more about the FSAE and Foundation Leadership. 
Beverages sponsored by Opal Collection

9:00 am – 4:30 pm - Learning Lounge Open

Sponsored by St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches VCB

9:00 am - 10:00 am Breakout Sessions

Breakouts are sponsored by AC Hotel Tallahassee/Residence Inn Universities at the Capitol, Video Request, and Visit Jacksonville

Turning Words into Wins: Making Communications Pay Offers
Tamara Perry-Lunardo

Communications are often viewed as a way to keep members informed, but when approached strategically, they can be one of your most powerful revenue tools. We will cover how to embed sponsor visibility into content, leverage data to reach the right audiences at the right time, and craft messaging that not only informs but inspires investment. You will leave with practical examples of campaigns that converted audience interest into event registrations, sponsorship commitments, and membership renewals, proving that every word counts when it is tied to a growth strategy. 

• Build communications strategies that directly connect to measurable revenue.
• Develop content that appeals to both audiences and sponsors. 
• Create a messaging framework that aligns with financial and relational goals. 

Stop the Spin: Breaking Out of Ineffective Operational Loops
Avi Olitzky

Does your association keep circling the same problems, launching new initiatives, recycling old solutions, yet never moving forward? This session examines the operational loops that drain energy and stall progress. Participants will learn how to spot recurring patterns, disrupt ineffective cycles, and implement practical strategies to create forward momentum. The focus: moving from repetitive reaction to intentional action.

• Identify recurring operational loops that stall progress.
• Apply strategies to disrupt ineffective cycles.
• Build systems that enable sustainable forward momentum. 

Session Coming Soon

10:00 am - 10:45 am -  Networking Coffee Break

Get some coffee and snacks while you network with attendees and visit the Trade Show in the Auction room!
Sponsored by Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach VCB 

10:45 am - 11:45 am Breakout Sessions

Using AI/ChatGPT in Associations

Details coming soon

Government Affairs & Advocacy Panel Discussion
Presented by the Government Affairs Committee

More information coming soon

Epic Missteps and Smart Comebacks Roundtable Discussions
Presented by the Associate Advisory Committee (AAC)

More information coming soon

12:00 pm - 1:30 pm  General Session Luncheon & Organizational Awards

The A.R.T. of Connection: Authenticity, Relationships, & Trust

Will Baggett

Keynote speaker Sponsored by: Florida's Sport Coast

Luncheon Sponsored by: Visit Tampa Bay

In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing world, genuine connection is more than a soft skill—it’s the foundation of lasting influence and impact. The A.R.T. of Connection uncovers the three pillars that drive meaningful relationships: Authenticity, Relationships, and Trust. Through powerful storytelling, practical strategies, and real-world examples, this session equips leaders, professionals, and teams with the tools to build credibility, foster collaboration, and create environments where people feel valued and engaged.

• Lead with Authenticity – Understand how embracing your genuine self builds credibility and inspires confidence in others
• Strengthen Relationships – Gain practical tools to create and nurture meaningful, lasting professional and personal connections
• Build Unshakable Trust – Learn strategies to establish and maintain trust as the foundation for collaboration and influence
• Communicate with Impact – Discover techniques to engage others in ways that foster respect, understanding, and connection

1:45 pm - 2:45 pm Breakout Sessions

Marketing Campaigns: From Personas to Posting 
Michael Copeland

Details coming soon

Beyond the Ballroom: Events that Drive Year-Round Revenue 
Taylor Kessel-Salomonsson

Events are often seen as one-time revenue spikes, but the most successful associations treat them as year-round engines for both income and influence. We will cover how to build multi-touch sponsorship packages, repurpose event content for ongoing engagement, and connect attendees with your organization through post-event programming. By the end, you will have a framework to turn every event into an ongoing revenue generator that strengthens your connections with members, sponsors, and partners throughout the year. 

• Build event models that deliver value before, during, and after the main experience. 
• Expand sponsor engagement through sustained touch points. 
• Tie event outcomes directly to broader organizational growth goals. 

Strategic Board Leadership: Elevating Governance for Impact 
Donna Oser, CAE

Association executives will be equipped with the tools, insights, and practices to strengthen board performance and governance outcomes. Blending legal responsibilities with strategic foresight, participants will explore what makes boards highly effective, how to foster productive communication and collaboration, and how to engage in meaningful, future-focused decision-making that supports organizational resilience and growth. 

2:45 pm - 3:30 pm   Networking Break - Silent Auction Final Bidding

Sponsored by Margaritaville Hotels & Resorts

Grab a snack while you network with attendees and visit the Trade Show in the Auction room. Auction bidding ends at 3:30 sharp!

3:30 pm – 4:30 pm Breakout Session

Topic Coming Soon

NETWORKING EVENTS

3:30 pm – 5:00 pm Beer Tasting Fundraiser

Sponsored by Holiday Inn Gainesville, Visit Central Florida, and Visit Tallahassee

Beer tasting is limited to 100 people, and you must pre-register to participate. Just add it to your conference registration!

6:00 pm – 10:00 pm Conference Gala: Catch the Wave, Join the Rave - All Attendees Invited

Hosted & Sponsored by Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld and SeaWorld Orlando

Ride the tide into an unforgettable night at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld. Experience a fusion of beach vibes and neon energy at our Thursday Night Gala, where the coastline transforms into a glowing playground and surf culture collides with rave‑ready intensity. Lounge in the glow of illuminated furniture as you sip something tropical and savor bold, boundary‑pushing culinary creations. Expect innovative flavors, elevated coastal inspirations, and artfully presented bites designed to fuel the night’s electric atmosphere.

Plus, experience an electrifying summer night at SeaWorld Orlando! Enjoy the high-energy vibes of Electric Ocean, sip cocktails, indulge in desserts, and end the evening with Ignite — a spectacular show featuring fireworks, lasers, fountains, and a dazzling drone display. Don’t miss this unforgettable celebration!

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