A statewide gathering of student union directors focused on collaboration, best practices and advancing the student experience.
Sun., June 14 – Tues., June 16, 2026
Student Services Building (SSB)
874 Traditions Way, 2nd Floor
Tallahassee, FL 32304
hosted by
Florida State University, Student Union
Hotel reservations can be made at a discounted rate with the AC Hotel Tallahassee Universities at the Capitol.
801 S. Gadsden St.
Tallahassee, FL 32301
850-392-7700
Discounted hotel rate available thru Monday, May 18, 2026 until 12 p.m.
Sunday, June 14, 2026
Student Services Building, 874 Traditions Way, 2nd Floor, Tallahassee, FL 32304
Parking in Traditions Way Garage, 860 Traditions Way, Tallahassee, FL 32304
| 2 - 2:30 p.m. | Meet & Greet Room 201C |
Snacks provided. Sponsored by Legacy Catering. |
| 2:30 - 2:45 p.m. | Welcome | Darrien Simmons, Director, FSU Student Union |
| Tour of the Union Facilities (in three groups) | ||
| 2:45 - 4:45 p.m. | Askew Student Life Center | SLC: Theater | Garnet Gaming Lounge | Paint-A-Pot |
| Flying High Circus | Big Top Tent | |
| Student Services Building | Conference Center | |
| Student Union | Art Center: Class Space, Artwork, Frame Shop Bowling & Billiards: Mutisport Simulator, Full Service Pro Shop Club Downunder/Union Productions: Club, Office Space Campus Event Services: Ballrooms, Meeting Spaces, Senate Chambers Retail and Food Court |
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| 4:45 - 5:15 p.m. | Hotel Check-In | (if needed) |
| 5:30 - 8 p.m. | Dinner & Networking | Proof Brewing Company, 1320 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32301 Sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Burroughs Company Owners and Operators |
Monday, June 15, 2026
| 8 - 9 a.m. | Breakfast Room 201C |
Sponsored by Legacy Catering. |
| Session One | ||
| 9 - 9:50 a.m. | Room 214 | It’s Just Food Outside Catering- What are your rules and procedures? |
| Room 218 | Learning Time Yearly/semester student staff “big trainings” and what are you teaching/discussing? |
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| Room 208 | They want us to do what? A&S budgets and the creative things you do to accomplish your yearly goals. |
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| Room 219 | We Are Family, I Got All My Students With Me The dichotomy of student staff AV vs information desk vs set-up team vs building managers. |
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| Session Two | ||
| 10 - 10:50 a.m. | Room 218 | It Takes a Village A discussion about the relationship between the Union administration and the SGA. |
| Room 208 | Time to Work Student staff scheduling thoughts, (e.g., scheduling platform used, how often is a schedule made, the scheduling process, etc.) . |
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| Room 219 | What Do You Charge? Discussion on rental and services rates and any additional fees. |
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| Room 214 | I Am More Important Than You Competing priority events - how to handle them. |
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| 11 a.m. - Noon | Talks With Me Room 201C |
Dr. Brandon Bowden, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs at Florida State University |
| 12 - 1 p.m. | Lunch Room 201C |
Sponsored by Legacy Catering. |
| Session Three | ||
| 1 - 2:45 p.m. | Room 219 | Directors Revenue generating ideas, contracts and retail spaces, financial status and challenges, (rising wages for student and professional staff, rising energy costs), Union post COVID, staff retention and sustained morale. |
| Room 208 | Operations Student staff reporting structure, work study vs. OPS workforce, how do you bridge the gap between student and professional staff? |
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| Room 218 | Event Planning/Coordinating Payment deadlines for students or departments, fronting, corporate pop-up tours, inflatable or carnival rides. |
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| Room 214 | Programming Using numbers and data to tell your story, social media procedures, volunteer vs. paid positions, how to use programing to generate revenue. |
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| Session Four | ||
| 3 - 3:45 p.m. | Room 219 | Directors Maintenance and custodial agreement or services, Deferred maintenance plans, how to leverage ACUI with staff development. |
| Room 208 | Operations What is your student staff pay structure? Sharing set-up tips. What AV do you provide to enhance the client’s experience. |
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| Room 218 | Event Planning/Coordinating Do space showcases work? How do you handle unruly clients, how to motivate your team. |
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| Room 214 | Programming What companies do you use to book student entertainment? how do you measure an event’s success? Reinvesting vs sunsetting events. |
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| 4 - 4:45 p.m. | Presentation Room 201C |
Griffin Harrington, CEO, Co-Founder, RecRe Automated Rental Platform for Universities |
| Session Five: Roundtable Discussion - How are you incorporating AI into your areas? | ||
| 5 - 5:40 p.m. | Room 219 | Directors |
| Room 218 | Associate/Assistant Directors | |
| Room 208 | Event Planners/Coordinators | |
| Room 214 | Operations/Facilities/AV Managers | |
| 6 - 9 p.m. | Dinner & Networking Room 201C |
The Filibuster, 102 W. Jefferson St., Tallahassee, FL 32301 Sponsored by Griffin Harrington, CEO, Co-Founder, RecRe |
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
| Wear Your T-shirt for Group Photo | ||
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| 8 - 8:45 a.m. | Hotel Checkout | |
| 9 - 10 a.m. | Breakfast & Chat Room 201C |
Dr. Amy Hecht, Vice President for Student Affairs at Florida State University Sponsored by Legacy Catering. |
| 10 - 11 a.m. | Group Roundtable Session Room 201C |
Young professional questions to seasoned professionals on career paths, and next steps. |
| 11 - 11:30 a.m. | Group Photo | |
| 11:30 a.m. - Noon | Box Lunches & Depart | Sponsored by Legacy Catering. |
Reserved parking is on the second floor of the Traditions Garage located at 860 Traditions Way, Tallahassee, FL 32304. See other options here.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Florida A&M University
Florida Atlantic University
Florida Gulf Coast University
Florida International University
Florida Polytechnic University
New College of Florida
University of Central Florida
University of Florida
University of North Florida
University of South Florida
University of West Florida
FSUGuest is the university’s guest Wi-Fi network. It provides free, public Wi-Fi to visitors to the main campus. To connect:
- Go to the settings on the device you'd like to connect.
- Select the Wi-Fi option.
- Select the FSUGuest network.
- Click on Guest Registration.
- Fill out the provided form.
On Campus
- Student Union, Lower Level
- Askew Student Life Center
- Visit the FSU Lakefront Park located on Lake Bradford, visitors can rent kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards or go swimming.
- Get a tour of FSU through the FSU Visitor Center
Tallahassee
Tallahassee has quite a lot of fun things to offer! Whether you are looking to explore on campus or off, take a look at what Tallahassee has to offer Visit Tallahassee.
Please send questions to studentunion@fsu.edu.
Other Campus Resources
- Student Union Welcome Desk: 850-645-5075
- Directory Assistance: 850-644-2525
- University Police Department: 850-644-1234
Attending Schools
Sponsors
