Alumni Volunteer Leadership Conference - University of Florida Alumni Association

March 6 - 8, 2025

The Alumni Volunteer Leadership Conference (AVLC) is a great opportunity for the University of Florida Alumni Association’s Board of Directors and Gator Club® and Affiliate Group leaders to connect, collaborate and celebrate the unrelenting spirit of the Gator Nation®. The program includes pre-conference sessions Thursday afternoon followed by a welcome reception, conference-style presentations, panel discussions, and topic-focused sessions all-day Friday and Saturday morning. In addition, Friday evening is filled with celebration as outstanding alumni, Gator Club® and Affiliate Groups are recognized at the Clubbies Award Reception.

OUR GOAL
Our goal is for Gator Club® and Affiliate Group officers to return to their communities inspired, empowered and with a better understanding of their roles, responsibilities, and best practices. During AVLC, the UF Alumni Association strives to provide alumni volunteer leaders with the tools and resources to successfully build, develop and lead Gator Clubs® and Affiliate Groups in support of the University of Florida’s journey to Go Greater!

PROGRAM
We hope you’re excited to experience a few days filled with professional and leadership development opportunities, learning from Top 5 guest speakers, connecting with fellow Gators, and discovering UF’s latest and greatest programs via campus tours! Please view the 2025 AVLC Program for more details.

REGISTRATION
A completed registration confirming your attendance to AVLC 2025 is due by February 26, 2025. Each member of your Gator Club®/Affiliate Group who will attend must complete the registration process. There is no registration fee for current Gator Club® and Affiliate Group officers.

: For those who are not able to attend in person, we will offer a virtual attendance option for most of the conference session

REGISTRATION CLOSED

WHERE TO PARK

On Thursday, March 6 and Friday, March 7, parking will be available in the second bay of the O’Connell Center parking lot, located on the corner of University Ave and Gale Lemerand Dr. The area will be reserved by a parking attendant on both days. Look for “UFAA Alumni Event” signs.

NOTE: Parking restrictions are lifted in the O’Connell Center parking lot at 4:00pm; vehicles may remain parked here while you attend evening activities, but must be removed by 10:00pm

Parking Hours:
March 6: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
March 7: 7:30 AM – 10:00 PM
March 8: 7:30 AM – 10:00 PM

Thursday, March 6 (Welcome Reception)
Parking will be available in the O’Connell Center parking lot, located on the corner of University Ave and Gale Lemerand Dr. Look for “UFAA Alumni Event” signs.

Friday, March 7 (Clubbie Awards Reception)
Parking will be available in the O’Connell Center parking lot, located on the corner of University Ave and Gale Lemerand Dr. Look for “UFAA Alumni Event” signs.

TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATIONS
AVLC will take place at the University of Florida Emerson Alumni Hall. (1938 W. University Ave., Gainesville, FL 32603)

If you have not booked your accommodations yet, please refer to the previous News You Can Use Newsletter for hotel block information. Rooms are selling out fast, so book today!

We have revised the travel stipend for this year’s conference based on distance from Gainesville, FL. The travel stipend includes gas or mileage (if using personal vehicle), tolls, airfare, and rental car but does not include hotel rooms.

Remember to use the Travel Stipend Form and submit the completed form with copies of your travel receipts.50 – 100 miles: up to $100 per club/group

100 – 300 miles: up to $250 per club/group
300 – 500 miles: up to $1,000 per club/group
500+ miles: up to $1,500 per club/group

WHAT TO WEAR

The recommended conference attire is Gator smart casual, but please wear whatever you will be comfortable sitting in for long periods of time. Please note that meeting rooms often range in temperature, so we recommend that you bring a light sweater or jacket to ensure your personal comfort.

As an AVLC tradition, on Thursday remember to wear your club or group’s branded shirt or your favorite Orange and Blue for Spirit Day! Back by popular demand, we are celebrating the Clubbie Awards with a Sneaker Ball theme again! Wear your best Gator chic with your coolest Gator sneaks!

IMPORTANT NOTE: For ALL Campus Tours on Friday, due to the nature of the environments we are being welcomed into, ALL ATTENDEES must wear closed-toe shoes and shorts or pants; skirts and dresses are NOT permitted during the tour. Please dress accordingly to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

In all kinds of weather, we’ll all stick together – of course! According to the latest forecast we expect morning showers on Saturday, with scattered thunderstorms throughout Saturday afternoon. Nonetheless, Florida weather can be unpredictable, so we encourage you to check the weather and pack accordingly and bring an umbrella!

OFFICER REGISTRATION GUIDELINES

Registration Deadline: 12:00 PM on Wednesday, February 26, 2025
A completed Registration Form is required to attend to AVLC 2025 regardless of attendance method
Registration will not be available on-site
AVLC registration including the Welcoming Reception, Campus Tours and the Clubbie Awards Reception is free for active Gator Club® and Affiliate Group officers only
Each Gator Club® officer must be listed on the club’s admin site as of 12/31/2024
Each Gator Club®/Affiliate Group officer who plans to attend AVLC must complete the registration process prior to the deadline

WHAT TO BRING

There will be pens and note pads available, but feel free to bring your laptop or tablet if you prefer to use those throughout the conference. Complimentary guest Wi-Fi access is available throughout Emerson Alumni Hall.

If you plan to use your laptop, please note that you may not have direct access to power. As a reminder, you are responsible for your own personal items while attending AVLC as our team cannot store any luggage, bags, etc.

MEALS
We will provide the following meals for registered attendees:

Thursday, March 6:
Welcome Reception - 2 Drink Tickets & Hors d’oeuvres

Friday, March 7:
Breakfast, Lunch, & Coffee/Snack Breaks
Clubbie Awards Reception - 2 Drink Tickets (followed by cash bar) & Heavy Hors d’oeuvres

Saturday, March 8:
Breakfast & Lunch

Attendees are responsible for any additional meals.

GUEST REGISTRATION GUIDELINES

Registration Deadline: Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Guest Registration Fees:
- $100 – Access to AVLC including conference sessions, provided meals, and social events (*does not include Campus Tours)
Guest Registration Limit:
- One (1) Guest per registered club/group officer
A completed Guest Registration Form is required for all AVLC 2025 guests
- For AVLC access including conference sessions, provided meals, and social events, please contact Shirley Lynn at salynn@ufl.edu
Please note that due to limited space, Campus Tours are reserved for registered Gator Club®/Affiliate Group officers only. If seats become available, then registered guests will be informed about any available options.
Parking is not available for guest attendees.