The Future of Florida (FOF) Summit is developed in collaboration with the Bob Graham Center (BGC) faculty and staff, and provides students with the opportunity to take an active role in planning a statewide policy event. All roles include working with the Center team, FOF faculty advisor, and fellow committee members.
Serving on the organizing committee offers valuable experience in event planning, leadership, research, and communications, making it an excellent opportunity for professional development. Members will gain practical skills, engage with experts in public policy, and contribute to the success of a major event that fosters dialogue on key issues facing Florida.
Opportunities are available across multiple committees including logistics, content and program development, and marketing and communications. While each committee has distinct responsibilities, all roles play a vital part in shaping the Summit and contribute to the planning process. Whether you’re coordinating event logistics, crafting engaging content, or driving promotional efforts, your contributions will be key in ensuring the success of the event.
If you’re passionate about teamwork, collaboration, and brining an event to life, we encourage you to apply. Applications are now open!
Overall Committee Roles and Responsibilities
Committee member positions require a minimum 2-5 hours per week, with a heavier workload in Spring. Responsibilities include:
- Attend all FOF organizing committee meetings, including:
- Virtual meetings in May, June, July 2025
- Weekly meetings during the 2025-2026 academic year
- Preparing for, staffing, and attending the 2026 in-person Summit and the virtual Public Policy Workshop
- Actively contributing to the development of program materials for the Summit
- Collaborating with fellow committee members to execute a successful Summit
- Assisting in the creation of the final Summit report
Committee Roles and Responsibilities
Content & Program Development Committee
- Research and develop the breakout topics for the 2026 Summit theme by early Fall 2025
- Collaborate with the BGC faculty and staff to identify potential keynote speakers and panelists
- Serve as moderators for panel discussions during the Summit, which includes:
- Attending moderator training
- Developing panel questions
- Draft background guides on the breakout panel topics for the participants
- Develop and execute the post-Summit exit survey
- Research speakers relevant to the respective panels
Marketing & Communications Committee
- Draft and execute a comprehensive marketing plan to promote the Summit across all Florida universities and colleges
- Create and manage social media and promotional content
- Oversee the functionality and development of the FOF website, including
- maintaining and refreshing content from the 2025 Summit
- promoting the 2026 Summit
- Manage FOF’s social media presence across Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter/X
- Develop and maintain a database of contacts for public and private Florida universities and colleges
- Recommended skills (not required): Proficiency in Canva, WordPress, social media management, graphic design, or video editing
Logistics Committee
- Coordinate all venue-related logistics, including the event space, meeting locations, and hotel reservations
- Identify and coordinate catering for the three-day Summit
- Work with the Chair and Co Chair to develop Summit production schedule
- Collaborate with Marketing & Communications committee to develop an onsite marketing and signage plan
ALL committee members are required to attend and staff the weekend-long Summit. Successful candidates should demonstrate a proactive mindset, teamwork, and collaboration skills.
Chair & Co-Chair
The Chair and Co-Chair provide direct oversight for all three committees and report to the Future of Florida Summit faculty advisor. These roles require strong event planning skills and the ability to manage multiple moving parts across committees to ensure seamless coordination. Both positions require a commitment of 5-8 hours per week and a flexible schedule to accommodate planning needs. Chairs must have previously served on the committee to be eligible for the role. Some of the responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Oversee all aspects of planning and execution for the largest student-run policy summit in Florida
- Develop the summit’s theme and agenda to ensure alignment with relevant policy discussions
- Lead and mentor the organizing committee, delegating tasks across logistics, content & program development, and marketing & communications
- Facilitate weekly meetings between the chairs and FOF faculty advisor
- Lead post-event evaluations to assess impact and identify areas for improvement
- Represent the summit and its mission in professional and public-facing capacities
- Develop and maintain the budget, ensuring it remains up to date and adhered to throughout the planning process
Director Roles and Responsibilities
Directors are responsible for leading and overseeing their respective committees. This role requires a commitment of 4–6 hours per week in the fall semester, increasing to 5–7 hours per week in spring 2026 as the Summit approaches. Directors must have previously served on the committee or attended the Summit to be eligible for the role.
As the primary point of contact for their committee, directors are responsible for managing deadlines, ensuring progress on key tasks, and maintaining open communication with the Chairs.
In addition to the general responsibilities listed for each committee, directors have the following specific duties:
Director of Logistics
- Act as the point person for the Logistics Committee, ensuring seamless coordination with other committees and the Chair
- Lead the Logistics Team by assigning and overseeing responsibilities related to:
- Catering coordination
- Hotel accommodations
- Venue reservations
- Overall event logistics
- Develop and oversee the Summit Weekend production schedule
- Oversee the procurement and management of event materials, including decorations, centerpieces, and banners
- Support the Chair in managing overall Summit operations
Director of Content & Program Development
- Oversee the speaker recruitment process, working with BGC faculty and the Chairs
- This includes outreach to potential speakers, requiring comfort in professional communication
- Manage the Summit speaker database, including contact information, bios, and travel arrangements
- Lead the committee in developing panel questions, background guides, and breakout topics
- Review and edit committee-produced documents, providing feedback to ensure high-quality materials
Director of Marketing & Communications
- Lead the development and execution of the FOF marketing plan
- Expand FOF’s LinkedIn presence to develop an alumni network
- Supervise the creation and scheduling of social media graphics, videos, and promotional content
- Assign and oversee committee responsibilities for various social media platforms
- Proficiency in Canva, WordPress, or social media management tools is required