Florida Sister Cities State Conference
May 2-4, 2013
Helmsley Sandcastle Resort - Sarasota
The Florida Sister Cities State Conference will be held May 2-4, 2013 at the popular Helmsley Sandcastle Resort on Lido Key in Sarasota. The conference will be hosted by the Sister Cities Association of Sarasota as part of their 50th Anniversary commemoration of their Culture Coast Sister Cities program.
Dynamic keynote speakers at the Conference will include Mary Kane, President and CEO of Sister Cities International and futurist David Houle who is recognized as a leading thinker about the future by US and global corporations.
Mary Kane has been seasoned in her new role with Sister Cites, having been in this leadership position since Oct. 2011. Many have already met and were impressed by Mary at the SCI International Conference in Jacksonville last July. Her prior experience as Executive Director of the US Chamber of Commerce matched well with her SCI Responsibilities as she was responsible for building business partnerships and strategic alliances. She was also on point with similar responsibilities when she served as Secretary of State in Maryland.
David Houle, who resides in Chicago, spends much of his time as high-level long term strategy advisor and discussion leader at conferences and retreats that have encompassed six continents and 10 countries in the past two years, provoking audiences to think about the future. He is the author of four books dealing with the "Shift Age" that we are now entering. Houle will provide us insight into the shift changes tand how they will inpact non-profit organizations and Sister Cities endeavors during the next 20 years and beyond.
The conference will begin with the Paradise Poolside Reception with small bites and libations to enchance a “getting to know you” event beginning at 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 2nd. This ice breaker will provide an informal opportunity for attendees to get reacquainted, make new friends and meet with conference speakers. You will also have free time to explore nearby amenities of St Armand's Circle or take in the varied culture events both Thursday & Friday evenings.
A full program of topics focusing on synergies on our working together. We have selected issues you have indicted are of high interest to Sister City members and community leaders. These sessions will be held on all day Friday and Saturday morning. Primary interactive discussions on Friday will be led by:
- Dr. Charles Steilen, former dean of business for the Chinese University of Hong Kong and of Hawaii Pactific University in Honolulu, will lead discussions about enhancing your global business outreach & initiatives;
- Dr. Melissa Sloan of the University of South Florida will lead discussions on measuring results with an eye on assisting you in measuring the value of your outreach programs to your community;
- Craig Hullinger, AICP, former economic development director for Peoria, IL with city manager experience in several Chicago suburbs, will lead discussions on using social media in the Shift Age to extend your reach and generate interest by your membership and the publics you serve;
- Dr. Ray Young, Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin, will lead interaction discussions about inovative youth and eduction outreach programs involving mutiple city exchanges.
On Saturday the focus will be roundtables by nation or region. Here the idea is to get attendees together to (1) get to know each other better & (2) to discuss how we can work smarter together to gain impact by scale, and sharing experiences and contacts. Table hoping will be encouraged. Discussion leaders will be by those who are city directors or have responsibility for a specific sister city.
Also on Saturday morning will be a breakout session for attending Mayors, City Managers or other elected officials to have interactive discussions led by Sister Cities International President & CEO Mary Kane and Sarasota Mayor Suzanne Atwell.
Of special interest during the convention will be an Authors Showcase where Florida Sister City members who are authors can display and offer their books for sale during the conference. We want to highlight "our own" Florida authors and provide an opportunity for your city to gain new members from local authors. The Showcase will be free, but participation will be only by authors affiliated with a Florida Sister City organization.
The outstanding location for the 2013 Florida Sister Cities State Conference is the Helmsley Sandcastle on the sugar-like white sand beaches of Lido Key. The resort décor has been updated with a new tropical look, has two heated swimming pools, two restaurants, pool side Tiki bar, indoor lounge with live entertainment, free Wi-Fi throughout the resort, free covered parking, safes for your valuables, complimentary irons and ironing boards, and a complete line of water recreation vehicles (kayaks, aqua-cycles, and sailboats).
The Helmsley Sandcastle is just minutes away from world famous St. Armand’s Circle shops and restaurants, and the many attractions of Sarasota. All rooms are for 1-4 persons at the discount rate of $99 per night. No resort fee will be charged for this conference, and attendees who may want to stay longer in Sarasota can book using the conference rates up to 3 days before and 3 days after the conference.
We look forward to seeing you in Sarasota and your participation in a great convention. As our contact information may be outdated as emails change, please forward this announcement to others you know who should attend!
Our new web site is under construction. Up to date information on Sister Cities Association of Sarasota is available on our blog site: sarasotasistercities.com.
For additional information contact:
Alice Phillips, Convention Chair or Tom Halbert, President
630-561-7120 941-485-8596
Florida Sister Cities State Conference 2013
Room Reservations
Note: The Room Reservation deadline is Wednesday, April 16, 2013
or until our room block is full.
Use the hotel's direct reservation phone numbers. Just mention the Florida Sister Cities State Conference as the group code. Reservations can be made Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Group reservation rate is valid for 1-4 persons per room and for 3-days before the conference to 3-days after the conference for those who may to take advantage of Sarasota’s cultural venues, beaches and attractions.
Reservation Phone: (800) 225-2181 or (941) 388-2181
Group Code: Florida Sister Cities State Conference
Group Rate: $99/night + tax.
Note: No daily resort fee will be charged for this conference.
Check In is at 3 p.m.
Check Out is at 11 a.m.
Hotel Address:
Helmsley Sandcastle Resort
1540 Ben Franklin Drive
Sarasota, FL 34236
Note: Use street address or front desk phone number (941-388-2181)
to set GPS destination
Web Site: www.helmsleysandcastle.com
Florida Sister Cities State Convention
Helmsley Sandcastle Resort
Lido Key, Sarasota, Florida
May 2-4, 2013
Thursday - May 2
Registration (Lobby) - 1:00 - 5:00 pm
Sister City Authors’ Showcase (Lobby Board Room) - Set Up 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Open for Sales/Viewing - 3:00 -7:00 pm
Paradise Poolside Reception - 5:00 -7:00 pm
Friday - May 3
Registration - 7:30 - 10:00 am (Lobby)
Sister Cities Authors’ Showcase (Lobby Board Room)
Open for Sales/Viewing - 8:00 - 11:00 & 1:30 - 5:00 pm
Morning Sessions (Conference Center)
Administrative Announcements, Re-Introduction State Coordinator - 8:30 - 8:45 am
Welcome - Sarasota Mayor Suzanne Atwell - 8:45 -9:00 am
Futurist David Houle - Sister Cities Entering the Shift Age - 9:00 -10 :00 am
Coffee Break - 10 :00- 10:15 am
Facilitating Business Exchanges - Discussion Leader Chuck Steilen 10:15-11:15 am
Keynote Luncheon (Main Dining Room) - 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Lou Ann Palmer, Mayor Emeritas - Mayor’s Eye View of Sister Cities
Afternoon Sessions (Conference Center)
Measuring Results - Dr. Melissa Sloan, University of South Florida - 1:15 -2:15 pm
Coffee Break - 2:15 - 2:30 pm
Shift Age Technology Outreach - Discussion Leader Craig Hullinger - 2:30 - 3:15 pm
Youth & Education Inovation - Discussion Leader Dr. Ray Young - 3:15 - 4:30 pm
Saturday - May 4
Sister Cities Authors' Showcast (Lobby Board Room)
Open for Sales/Viewing - 8:00 - 11:00 am
Morning Sessions (Conference Center)
Administrative Announcements - 8:30 - 8:45 am
Global Roundtables - 8:45 - 9:45 am
Coffee Break - 9:45 -10:00 am
Global Roundtables - 10:00 - 11:00 am
Florida Sister Cities Update - Pat Buchanan, State Coordinator. 11:00-11:15 am
Mayor's Conference (Small Conference Room) - 10:00 - 11:15 am
Discussion Leaders - Mary Kane, President & CEO Sister Cities International &
Mayor Suzanne Atwell
Keynote Luncheon (Main Dining Room) - 11:30 - 1:00 pm
SCI President & CEO Mary Kane
Sister Cities Authors' Showcase (Lobby Board Room)
Open for Sales/Viewing - 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Convention Registration Form
Name: __________________________________________________________
Address: __________________________________________________________
E-Mail: __________________________________________________________
Phone: ___________________ Cell Phone:______________________
Guest(s) Name (s): __________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
How do you want your name/guest names to appear on name badges?
Is this your first FL Sister Cities State Conference? ( ) Yes ( ) No
Page 1 of 3
Full Registration (May 2-4, 2013)
Advanced Registration Ends April 20
Delegate/Guests-All Events at advanced registration rate _____ x $79 = $_______
Delegate/Guest-All Events late registration rate _____x $89 = $_______
Total Remitted $________________
Note: Registration at the door without advanced payment will be $95
*For Diet Restriction: Advise in advanced to sarasotasistercities@gmail.com
Registration is complete for those attending all functions.
Registration is due April 20, 2013
Mail Check to SCAS and form to: Credit Card Payment
Convention Chair. AmEx__MC __Visa __Discover_
Sister Cities Assn of Sarasota. Card #
City Hall __________________________
1565 First St
Sarasota, FL 34236 Exp Date ________ CVV ______
Billing Address ZIP Code_______
.
Those who plan to only attend individual events skip page 2
and go to page 3
Page 2 of 3
Individual Event Registration
Delegates/GuestsAttending Welcome Reception May 2 _____ x $29 = $_____
Delegates/Guests Attending Keynote Luncheon May 3 _____ x $28 = $_____
Delegates/Guests Attending Keynote Luncheon May 4 _____ x $28 = $_____
For diet restrictions: advise in advance to sarasotasistercities@gmail.com
Total Remittance $___________________
Mail Check to SCAS and Form to: Pay by Credit Card
Convention Chair AmEx__MC__Visa__Discover__
Sister Cities Assn of Sarasota Card #
City Hall ___________________________
1565 First St
Sarasota, FL 34236 Exp Date_______ CVV ________
Page 3 of 3
Florida Sister Cities
State Convention
Helmsley Sandcastle Resort
Sarasota, FL 34236
May 2-4, 2013
