Every two years we bring the springs advocacy community together.
This February, seasoned experts and new advocates will gather at Stetson Law's beautiful old Florida campus in Gulfport to learn and network together in the interest
of restoring and protecting Florida's springs and waterways.
This event is free to attend thanks to our generous sponsors and partners,
including host Stetson Law and title sponsor Save the Manatee Club.
But space is limited so you must register.
Friday & Saturday, February 5th and 6th
Stetson University College of Law Campus
1401 61st St S, Gulfport, Florida
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Before you register
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Registration is free. All that is required to save your spot is your name and email address.
But take a look at the other options before you complete registration!
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Lunch is provided, but you must reserve one during registration. Lunches are vegetarian: roasted vegetable & rice wraps, chips, and cookies. You may instead bring a lunch or leave campus to pick up a lunch nearby. Tea and citrus infused water is provided, and we ask that you bring a water bottle to reduce the use of single use cups.
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Summit Tees are available during registration! They are once again designed by 5801 Print House in St. Pete. Your purchase of a tee helps fund the weekend's activities, and keeps the Springs Summit free. Tees must be pre-ordered on the registration form, and will be available at check-in.
Click on tee to enlarge
Lodging - don't wait
We recommend staying in the area Friday night so that you can attend the
Summit Social the evening before and easily get to the Summit bright and early.
Possibly Saturday night depending on how long your drive home is -
Saturday activities will end around 6:30pm.
All lodging discounts are good for both nights, the 5th and 6th.
February is peak season in Gulfport and St. Petersburg, so don't wait to reserve
lodging (the other season is hurricane season and we tried that last time -
it went as you would expect.) We've put together a guide to some lodging HERE,
including hotel partners offering discounts to our attendees and even nearby
camping options.
Sponsors, donations, and purchases keep the Springs Summit free for everyone
Please consider purchasing a Summit Tee, leaving an optional donation at checkout, gifting items for our silent auction, or becoming a sponsor. Contact Engagement Director Brenda Wells at brendawells@floridaspringscouncil.org for information on sponsorships, donations, and other ways to support.
SCHEDULE
FRIDAY NIGHT: Summit Social at Outcast Brewing Company 5-9
Saturday's Summit is so packed with sessions, if you want some time to socialize and catch up with other Conservation Folks before the busy day begins, plan to join us Friday night for the SUMMIT SOCIAL at Outcast Brewing Company.
We'll have drink tickets for registered Summit attendees, space to gather over drinks, and generally guarantee a good time.
📍 1776 11th Ave N, St. Petersburg,
about 15 minutes from Stetson Law.
SATURDAY: The Springs Summit
📍 STETSON LAW is at 1401 61st Street South, Gulfport, FL 33707
🕒 CHECK IN begins at 8am.
☕ COFFEE AND PASTRIES will be waiting for you.
🥪 Vegetarian lunch is provided but you must register for one.
THE AGENDA will be posted here and sent to all registered attendees
as it is finalized. Check out last Summit's agenda HERE.
Stetson Law's
gorgeous campus ->
SATURDAY EVENING: Banyan Bash
Immediately after the Summit closes we'll all move outside to this beautiful Banyan-filled courtyard. This brief social hour ensures that we all have the opportunity to exchange ideas and contact information with other springs advocates before we part ways.
Awards will be given to some of the shining stars of springs conservation.
Drinks and light food will be available before you close your day.
SUNDAY: A late breakfast
For those of you still in town, we will meet, not TOO early, for a very informal breakfast at Stella's in downtown Gulfport. More information will be available at the closing of the Summit.
REGISTER
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Each person attending should fill out the registration form separately. One registration = one seat.
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Space is limited - if you find that you cannot attend, please let us know so that we can make that seat available to someone else.
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If you don't order a shirt or lunch now, and decide to add one later, simply register again - our system will recognize you and add the shirt or lunch to your existing registration.
Title Sponsor
SAVE THE MANATEE CLUB
Presented by
FLORIDA SPRINGS COUNCIL
Hosted by
STETSON UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF LAW
Also Sponsored by
Founded by cartographer James Gaddis, Ridgeline Geographic is a map production startup based in Midtown Tallahassee, Florida. James worked on two springs maps with FSC and will have other maps and information about opportunities to commission unique maps during the Springs Summit.
Sponsoring Partners
LODGING
Featured Lodging Partners with discounts
THIRTY PERCENT DISCOUNT at CRYSTAL BAY HOTEL
Eight minutes from Stetson Law campus, at 7401 Central Ave. St. Petersburg, Crystal Bay Hotel is a Mediterranean Revival boutique landmark built in 1915 and features views of Boca Ciega Bay, free parking, and complimentary hot breakfast.
Crystal Bay Hotel is offering a generous 30% discount for Springs Summit guests; this rate isn't available online. To get this discount, call 727-914-7676 and mention the Summit.
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott St. Petersburg North, discounted rate of $159 plus tax
This is located 15-20 minutes from Stetson Law campus, just off I-275 in St. Pete. 2575 54th Ave North, St. Petersburg. The last day to book at this rate is Friday, January 15th. The rate is good for both nights or just one.
Other options, no discount
Air BNB or VRBO - If you have friends with whom to share a rental home, this has been an affordable option, often providing better per-rooom prices than a hotel. Gulfport and St. Pete offer plenty of options.
The Peninsula Bed & Cocktails - a boutique 4-star cocktail-themed historic hotel located right in the middle of downtown Gulfport, within walking distance of local art galleries, restaurants and the water. Averages $260/night. 5 minute drive to Stetson Law.
Camping
Terry Tomalin Campground at Boyd Hill Park - This primitive family campground is about 15 minutes away from Stetson Law campus, the only camping option we'd consider "close by," and is operated by the city of St. Petersburg. It has 18 campsites that are open Friday and Saturday nights. (There are cabins but all are booked for the Summit weekend.)
https://www.stpeteparksrec.org/parks___facilities/terry_tomalin_campground.php
- Edward Medard Conservation Park: 6140 Turkey Creek Road Plant City, FL 33567
- E.G. Simmons Conservation Park: 2401 19th Ave NW Ruskin, FL 33570
- Lithia Springs Conservation Park: 3932 Lithia Springs Road Lithia, FL 33547
These three campgrounds are all run by Hillsborough County and are a little over an hour's drive from the Springs Summit, just across Tampa Bay. All camping fees are about $24/night; $18 for adults over age 55-64, and they offer both tent and RV sites.
All can be reserved through the same site: https://flhillsboroughweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/splash.html?interfaceparameter=WebTracCELM#camping
SPONSOR THE 2027 SPRINGS SUMMIT
It is important to us that the Springs Summit is free for anyone to attend. Thank you for considering a sponsorship.
Choose your sponsorship below, then go to our Summit Sponsorship form to submit your sponsorship gift.
$10,000 Title Sponsor - CLAIMED Save the Manatee Club
The title sponsor will be recognized as the primary sponsor of the 2027 Springs Summit
alongside Stetson and FSC.
$5,000 Premier Sponsor
Our Premier sponsor stands out a leading supporter, and receives prominent recognition at the Summit, second only to our Title Sponsor, including more prominent logo placement on the Springs Summit T-shirt, acknowledgment from the stage, and additional sponsor recognition throughout the lobby/marketplace area. We welcome the opportunity to work with Premier Sponsors on additional ways to showcase your support.
$2,500 Summit Social Sponsor
Make the fun happen. On Friday evening, attendees will gather for pre-Summit socializing at Outcast Brewing Company. We'll have food, entertainment, and drink tickets for attendees to kick off the weekend. Recognition includes the opportunity to address attendees or show a video, recognition on digital screens throughout the venue during the Summit, and a logo on the official Springs Summit tee shirt.
$2,500 Lunch Sponsor
Nourish 300 springs advocates! To keep the momentum going and ensure no one has to waste time leaving the venue to seek out mid-day nourishment, we're bringing in a local establishment to provide a plant-based lunch at no charge to attendees. Recognition includes the opportunity to address attendees on stage before lunch, recognition on digital screens throughout the venue during the Summit, and logo on the official Springs Summit tee shirt. We're open to other creative ways to show your support during lunch!
$1,000 Bookstore Sponsor - CLAIMED Hoyt Architects
This was a popular element during the last summit. There are so many authors who have written about springs and wild Florida, it's only fitting that summit attendees can pick up their books during the day. Recognition includes thanks on digital screens throughout the Summit day and at the bookstore during the day and your logo on the official Springs Summit tee shirt.
$1,000 Banyan Bash Sponsor
Make the fun happen. As the sun sets Saturday evening, attendees will gather in Stetson Law's brick courtyard full of beautiful Banyan trees for socializing and celebrating. We'll have food, and drinks amongst the banyans while attendees make connections before heading back home. Recognition includes the opportunity to address attendees or show a video, recognition on digital screens throughout the venue during the Summit, and a logo on the official Springs Summit tee shirt.
$500 Coffee Sponsor - CLAIMED Florida Natural Plant Society
Another popular stop for attendees! Ensure everyone starts the day happy, thanks to plentiful coffee and pastries. If you'd like to provide branded cups, or something else special at the coffee table for our 300+ springs enthusiasts, it's up to you! Recognition includes thanks on digital screens throughout the venue and at the coffee table and your logo on the official Springs Summit tee shirt.
$250 Partner - nonprofits and small businesses
Add your organization or business name to the springs summit shirt and other sponsorship recognition during the day, and pitch in to make this free event possible.
