Conference Proposal

CONFE R E NCE PROPOSALApril 13 -15, 2016

Coast al G eorgia Center, Savannah, GA

GULF SOUTH S U M M I T 2 0 1 6

All Aboard For Service-Learning and Civic Engagement!

BUILDING INCLUSION AND INSPIRING DIVERSE VOICES IN

SERVICE-LEARNING COLLABORATIONS

DIVISION OF CONTINUING EDUCATION AT GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSIT Y

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April 13 -15, 2016Coast al G eorgia Center Savannah, GA

GULF SOUTH S U M M I T 2 0 1 6

Welcome to beautiful, historic Savannah!

Savannah, established in 1733, is the oldest city in Georgia. A strategic

port city in the American Revolution and during the American Civil

War, Savannah is today an industrial center and an important Atlantic

seaport. Each year Savannah attracts millions of visitors, who enjoy the

city’s architecture and historic buildings. It is the birthplace of Juliette

Gordon Low (founder of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America),

the Georgia Historical Society (the oldest continually operating historical

society in the South), the Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences (one of

the South’s first public museums), the First African Baptist Church (one of

the oldest African-American Baptist congregations in the United States),

Temple Mickve Israel (the third oldest synagogue in America), and the

Central of Georgia Railway roundhouse complex (the oldest standing

antebellum rail facility in America). Savannah’s downtown area, which

includes the Savannah Historic District, the Savannah Victorian Historic

District and 22 park-like squares, is one of the largest National Historic

Landmark Districts in the United States. Other attractions include River

Street, City Market, Old Fort Jackson, the Cathedral of Saint John the

Baptist, the Mighty 8th Air Force Museum, Tybee Island, Bonaventure

Cemetery, Skidaway Island, the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum and the

alligators of the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge.

Savannah is easily accessible from I-95, I-16, and through the Savannah/

Hilton Head International Airport.

Local committee headed by Gulf South Executive Committee Member and Georgia Southern Associate Professor Dr. Jerri Kropp, and including Assistant Director for Service-Learning at Georgia Southern University, Wendy Denton.

Supported by Mary Jernigan and the professional services of Georgia Southern University’s Division of Continuing Education, which has considerable experience hosting numerous conferences each year.

Proposed Organiz ation

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April 13 -15, 2016Coast al G eorgia Center Savannah, GA

GULF SOUTH S U M M I T 2 0 1 6

Georgia Southern University

Georgia Southern University is the state’s largest and most comprehensive center of higher education south of Atlanta. With 124 degree programs at the baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral levels, Georgia Southern has been designated a Carnegie Doctoral-Research university and provides the classic residential campus experience and online learning options to more than 20,500 students from 48 states and 89 nations. Georgia Southern’s nationally accredited academic programs prepare diverse scholars for leadership and service as world citizens. A unit of the University System of Georgia, the University boasts 200-plus student organizations, outstanding Division I athletics, and state-of-the art residence halls and campus facilities. Since 1906, the University’s hallmark has been a culture of engagement that bridges theory with practice, extends the learning environment beyond the classroom, and promotes student growth and life success.

The Coastal Georgia Center

The Coastal Georgia Center, a component of the University System of Georgia and a unit of the Division of Continuing Education at Georgia Southern University, opened in the mid 1980’s, and has been a thriving facility ever since. An expansion project completed in 2003 has insured that our graduate programs continue to grow. The Coastal Georgia Center is operated by Georgia Southern University, in partnership with Armstrong Atlantic State University and Savannah State University. We are located behind the Savannah Convention and Visitors Bureau, in beautiful downtown Savannah. Our location is close to major highways and several hotels and restaurants. Located in the heart of the city, our center benefits from everything Savannah has to offer including top rate evening restaurants, entertainment, and the historic-district. And with all the conveniences of being located at the intersection of two major U.S. highways, connected with an international airport, and a full 150 privately owned parking lot, being downtown has never been made easier.

The Coastal Georgia Center has the latest in audio visual equipment to meet the hi-tech demands of contemporary presentations including:

• Projectors with 2500-5100 Lumens• Laptop / Computer station• Full Audio system with Hand-held and Lavaliere Microphones• VCR/DVD• Satellite downlink• Wireless Network connectivity• all with an IT Specialist on site

CONFE R E NCE Facil it ies

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The Georgia Southern University Division of Continuing Education will be coordinating the details of the 2016 Gulf-South Summit. Services include:

• On-Line registration services• Registration processing• Prepare name tags and other conference materials• Collect & submit CEU information• Marketing of the conference• Financial Services, including program expense processing• Facility coordination by negotiating contracts • Work with catering and process event orders• Arrange room setups, AV requirements and other arrangements• Provide on-site management, including a staffed registration desk• Electronic abstract submission through Digital Commons

Conference Hotels

Guests of the Embassy Suites & The Hampton Inn will receive access to the Embassy Suites nightly evening Manager’s Reception featuring complimentary snacks, drinks and bar service.

Embassy Suites – Historic District$209/night, plus taxes, projected 2016 rates

Make yourself at home at the Embassy Suites Savannah hotel. This modern, all-suite Historic District Savannah hotel offers an ideal location in the heart of downtown, just 12 miles east of Savannah Hilton Head International Airport and 12 miles from Tybee

Island Beach. Visit nearby attractions including River Street, City Market and Savannah College of Art & Design, as well as shopping, dining and the Savannah Civic Center, all within walking distance from the hotel. Start your day with a free cooked-to-order breakfast, and in the evening indulge in drinks and snacks at the complimentary nightly evening reception.

The Hampton Inn – Historic District$199/night, plus taxes, projected 2016 ratesThoroughly immersed in old-time hospitality, the Savannah Historic District offers a welcome traditionally associated with the Old South. The Hampton Inn Savannah-Historic District hotel is located in the heart of Savannah’s Historic District, just across the river from the Savannah International

Trade & Convention Center. Leave the car parked; this Savannah hotel in the Historic District is within walking distance of River Street and City Market. Visit the Savannah History Museum, Owens Thomas House, Fort Pulaski National Monument and the Telfair Museum of Art. Prepare in the morning with Hampton’s free hot breakfast, offering a delicious array of options.

Evening Reception/Dinner

Georgia State Railroad Museum Located at the old Central of Georgia Railway Savannah Shops and Terminal Facilities, the Georgia State Railroad Museum is a stunning National Historic Landmark that is part of Savannah’s National Historic Landmark District. Enjoy a close-up view of the fully operational turntable, learn about the many historic railcars and rolling stock on display, and experience the handcar with the help of a knowledgeable and friendly historic interpreter. Visitors may be able to enjoy a train ride, provided on either the No. 30 steam locomotive built in 1913, or the ‘modern’ No. 119 diesel locomotive built in 1947. Either way, you won’t want to miss a ride into Savannah - and the country’s - past. Georgia State Railroad Museum is believed to be the largest and most complete antebellum railroad repair facility still in existence, in the world!

Walk from the conference or either of the conference hotels to enjoy a dinner reception in this historic venue with your Gulf South colleagues!

CONFE R E NCE Ser vices

CONFE R E NCE Proposed ScheduleWednesday morning 8 – 11:30 a.m.

Board meetingEmbassy Suites

Wednesday afternoon Lunch and pre-conferenceWednesday evening 5 – 7 p.m.

Complimentary welcome reception and poster session; cocktails and appetizers Embassy Suites Hotel

Thursday morning7 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Complimentary breakfast at hotels

8 a.m. – Conference opening remarks

Coffee and Danish available at Coastal Georgia Center

Break-out Sessions9 a.m. – 12 p.m.Coastal Georgia Center

Thursday lunch Keynote Address and MealCoastal Georgia Center

Thursday afternoon Break-out sessions Coastal Georgia Center

Thursday evening Reception and DinnerGeorgia Railroad Museum

Friday morning7 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Complimentary breakfast at hotels

Coffee and Danish available at Coastal Georgia Center

Round Table session 8 – 9 a.m. Break-out Sessions 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.Coastal Georgia Center

Friday lunch Second Keynote Address

Closing Remarks and Awards Luncheon

Friday afternoon Optional Expedition!

Bus/boat trip to the Hog Hammock Gullah Geechee community of Sapelo Island.Return by 6 p.m.

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April 13 -15, 2016Coast al G eorgia Center Savannah, GA

GULF SOUTH S U M M I T 2 0 1 6

Food: $22,410.50 (includes dinner for 200 at Railroad Museum)

Room Rental: $2,640

Awards: $2,000

CE Coordination Fee: $24,075* (based on 350 participants)

Postage: $150

Supplies: $700

Printing: $1500

Travel: $650

Total cost: $54,125.50

Proposed 2016 Budget

* Costs Subject to Change

* The program must cover all direct expenses incurred for the event.

LOUISVILLE ROAD

OGLETHORPE AVEWEST

SAVANNAH VISITORS CENTER

GEORGIA STATE RAILROAD MUSEUM

SCAD DORMSSCAD STUDIOS

SAVANNAH VISITORS CENTERPARKING LOT • FEE

COASTAL GEORGIA CENTERPARKING LOTFREE TO CONFERENCE

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EMBASSY SUITES HAMPTON INN

COASTAL GEORGIA CENTER