08/03/2026
How are you? I am so looking forward to seeing you at the beautiful Guy Harvey Oceanfront Resort St. Augustine Beach for the 2026 SGMP Florida Education Summit - Oceans of Potential - Coastal Collaboration Meeting Professionals. For tomorrow's welcome reception, we have a special start to our service project during our networking. I couldn't be more excited to welcome you.
On behalf of the SGMP Florida Chapter, thank you for being part of learning, collaboration, networking, and giving back at the Summit. From Tuesday evening's welcome reception through Wednesday's educational program, we've created an experience designed to strengthen professional relationships, spark new ideas, and provide practical strategies you can immediately put into practice.
Our theme, Oceans of Opportunity – Coastal Collaboration, reflects the spirit of this year's Summit. Together, we'll learn from exceptional speakers, reconnect with friends, build new professional relationships, exchange ideas, and celebrate the important work of meeting professionals. From interactive educational sessions to meaningful networking and our Back to School service project, the Summit is designed to provide practical learning, genuine collaboration, and lasting connections.
Continue to Help Us Make a Difference
This year, we're proud to partner with the Clean Start Initiative for the Growing Brighter Young Minds Back-to-School Drive. Together we'll be filling backpacks for 48 children, ages 4 to 18, whose lives have been shaped by circumstances beyond their control. Many of these children have one or both parents who are incarcerated and are being raised by grandparents or other caregivers with limited resources. Many are homeless or living in poverty. Tragically, three fathers have been killed by gun violence in the past 18 months, leaving nine children to navigate unimaginable loss.
Thank you so much to those of you who already helped with our wishlist. If you would still like to help, consider bringing stuffed animals or coloring books for the younger kids, or reusable cups for older kids. Thank you for helping us give these children the tools they need for a successful start to the school year.
Keep These Things in Mind
- Participants are encouraged to dress the theme in business casual, coastal attire.
- Parking is complimentary on a space available basis.
- Bring plenty of business cards.
- Meeting rooms can be cool, so you may want to bring a light sweater or jacket.
- Be sure to visit our sponsors and exhibitors during planned networking and breaks.
- If you're participating in the backpack drive, please bring any remaining donations to the Summit.
SGMP Florida Education Summit 4-5 August 2026
Oceans of Potential - Coastal Collaboration for Meeting Professionals
Guy Harvey Oceanfront Resort, St. Augustine Beach, Florida
Agenda
Tuesday 4 August
1300-1700 Fair Winds - Board Strategic Planning Retreat
1400-2100 Fair Winds - Sponsor and Exhibitor Set-Up
1730-1930 Nautilus Ballroom and Terrace - Welcome Reception and Networking
Wednesday 5 August
0730-0830 Nautilus Ballroom - Coffee and Healthy, Light Breakfast
0800-1800 Fair Winds - Sponsor and Exhibitor Showcase
0830-0845 Nautilus Ballroom - Welcome, Introductions, and Ice Breaker - Gabrielle Gabrielli
0845-1000 Fair Winds - Collaborative Connections - Gabrielle Gabrielli
1000-1015 Break
1015-1130 Nautilus Ballroom - Event Documentation and Archiving - Cris Coniglio
1130-1145 Break
1145-1300 Nautilus Ballroom - Soaring with Purpose: Leadership Communication That Builds Trust and Collaboration (Lunch Keynote with Taco Bar) - Reenee Williams-Walter
1300-1315 Break
1315-1430 Nautilus Ballroom - Meeting Technology and Innovation - Teresa Guastella
1430-1500 Fair Winds - Networking and Ice Cream Break
1500-1615 Nautilus Ballroom - Budgeting and Cost Saving Strategies - Steven Hall
1615-1630 Nautilus Ballroom - President's Wrap-Up - Gabrielle Gabrielli
You'll enjoy an exhibitor showcase, a collaborative networking event, and the opportunity to learn and earn 5 CEUs while connecting with planners and suppliers from around Florida and beyond.
2026 SGMP Florida Education Summit Educational Programming
Cris Coniglio, CGMP, PMP, CMP, DES - Event Documentation and Archiving
Effective event documentation preserves institutional knowledge, strengthens continuity, and provides valuable resources for future planning. In this session, Cris Coniglio will share practical strategies for documenting meetings and events, organizing critical information, and developing systems that improve efficiency, support compliance, and strengthen organizational success.
Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:
- Develop practical strategies for documenting meetings and events throughout the planning process.
- Organize event records to improve efficiency, continuity, and knowledge transfer.
- Apply documentation practices that support compliance, accountability, and future event success.
Reenee Williams-Walter - Leadership Communication That Builds Trust and Collaboration
Strong communication is the foundation of effective leadership and successful professional relationships. In this engaging keynote session, Reenee Williams-Walter will explore communication strategies that strengthen trust, encourage collaboration, and inspire confidence. Participants will leave with practical techniques to improve communication, build stronger relationships, and create more positive outcomes in the workplace.
Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:
- Identify communication strategies that strengthen trust and professional relationships.
- Apply techniques that foster collaboration and improve workplace communication.
- Evaluate personal communication practices to increase leadership effectiveness.
Teresa Guastella, CHSP - Meeting Technology and Innovation
The meetings and hospitality industries are evolving faster than ever. Shorter booking windows, shifting attendee behaviors, economic uncertainty, and rising expectations are reshaping how planners and hotels work together. Technology has become more than a convenience. It has become a strategic advantage.
Drawing on more than 20 years of experience working on both sides of the hospitality industry as a hotel executive, live event producer, and hospitality technology founder, Teresa Guastella shares practical insights into the innovations transforming meetings today. Attendees will explore emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, hotel systems, planner industry intelligence tools, and collaboration strategies that help planners and hotels save time, strengthen partnerships, and create exceptional attendee experiences.
Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:
- Identify emerging technologies and industry trends that are transforming meetings and hospitality.
- Evaluate technology solutions and collaboration strategies that strengthen planner-hotel partnerships and improve operational efficiency.
- Apply innovative tools and practical approaches to enhance attendee experiences and event outcomes.
Steven Hall - Budgeting and Cost Saving Strategies
Budget pressures continue to challenge meeting professionals as they work to deliver high-quality events while maximizing limited resources. In this practical session, Steven Hall will share proven budgeting strategies, cost-saving techniques, and negotiation approaches that can help planners and suppliers achieve greater value without sacrificing the attendee experience. Participants will explore ways to identify hidden costs, strengthen financial decision-making, build productive partnerships, and develop budgets that support organizational goals while demonstrating fiscal responsibility.
Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:
- Develop realistic event budgets that align with organizational goals and financial constraints.
- Apply practical cost-saving and negotiation strategies to maximize value while maintaining quality.
- Identify opportunities to strengthen planner-supplier partnerships that improve outcomes and support long-term success.
If you have any questions before the Summit, please don't hesitate to reach out. Thank you again for being part of this excellent event. I look forward to welcoming you to the Guy Harvey Resort St. Augustine Beach soon for an outstanding SGMP Florida Education Summit.
Safe travels, and I look forward to seeing you soon! For those who haven't yet registered, it's not too late!
https://tinyurl.com/sgmpflsummit2026
Warm regards,
Gabrielle
Gabrielle K. Gabrielli, Ph.D.
President, SGMP Florida Chapter
https://www.sgmp.org/florida
