AWRA Florida Annual Meeting 2024

AUGUST 1 - 2, 2024

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED.  WALK-IN REGISTRATIONS ARE WELCOMED BUT MAY NOT INCLUDE NETWORKING EVENTS ON THURSDAY & FRIDAY.

Please note that we will not be refunding for cancellations as our costs for caterers and venues have been committed.  We thank you for your understanding!

Meeting Location

Harvey Governmental Center – 1200 Truman Avenue, Key West, Florida

Thank You to Our 2024 Sponsors!

Organizations wishing to participate as meeting sponsors should contact Sam Palermo at 561-351-5278. Or, pay your sponsorship online here.  

This meeting does not have a hotel room block.  Hotel rooms fill up fast so make your reservations now!  

Lodging Advice from our Key West Locals:  There are many affordable options available for lodging.  Use your favorite search engine or visit  https://www.google.com/maps  and insert “B&B OLD TOWN KEY WEST, FLORIDA” into your search.  Enter your travel dates and price range ($0-$300) to see the various options.  You may get a better rate if you talk directly to the lodging representative via email, text or phone.  Please remember to enquire about extra fees such as parking, resort fees, and ask about extra amenities such as free breakfast!

MEETING AGENDA

Thursday August 1, 2024

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

AWRA Florida Board Meeting

Monroe County Commission Building -All are welcome

12:30 pm

Meeting Registration Opens

1:00 pm

Welcome and Opening Remarks

1:15 pm - 1:45 pm 

Keynote Address

John A. Coates, P.E., Director Division of Water Resource Management,

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

1:45 pm – 2:45 pm

Florida Keys Update

Allison Higgins, Sustainability Coordinator, City of Key West

Sarah Fangman, Superintendent, NOAA Florida Keys

Erin L. Deady, P.A., Erin Deady Law, Monroe County

Greg Corning, PE, Assistant Vice President, WSP USA, Monroe County

2:45 pm – 3:00 pm

Break

3:00 pm – 3:30 pm

LOS Resiliency Update

Dr Carolina Maran, Resiliency Officer, South Florida Water Management District 

Lucine Dadrian, PE,  Engineering, Construction & Modeling Division Director, South Florida Water Management District

3:30 pm – 4:30 pm

Waters of the United States Panel (WOTUS)

Dr. Michael Dennis, President, Breedlove, Dennis & Associates Inc

Herschel Vinyard, Special Counsel, Adams & Reese, LLP (Former Secretary FDEP)

4:30 pm

Closing Remarks

5:30 pm

Networking Reception and Dinner

Audubon House, 205 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040

(Reception, dinner, and tour of the Audubon House included with registration fee)

Friday, August 2

8:00 am

Networking Continental Breakfast

8:45 am - 9:00 am

Welcome and Opening Remarks

9:00 am – 11:00 am

Water Management District Update from the Executive Directors of the State’s Five WMDs

John Mitnik , Assistant Executive Director, South Florida Water Management District

Brian Armstrong, Executive Director, Southwest Florida Water Management District

Mike Register, Executive Director, St. Johns River Water Management District

Lyle Siegler, Executive Director, Northwest Florida Water Management District

Hugh Thomas, Executive Director, Suwannee River Water Management District

11:00 am – 11:15 am

Welcome to Monroe County!

Jim Scholl, Mayor Pro Tem, Monroe County Commission

11:15 am – 12:15 pm

US Army Corps of Engineers Update

Come meet the new District Commander of the Jacksonville District, along with senior members of his team provide updates on latest projects, priorities facing the Corps in the Jacksonville District.

Jacksonville Dist. Commander Brandon Bowman - Colonel, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Jacksonville Dist. Howard (Howie) Gonzales - Deputy for Programs and Project Management Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Jacksonville Dist. Major Cory J. Bell - Deputy Commander for South Florida, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Jason Engle, Supervisory Hydraulic Engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

12:15 pm – 1:45 pm

Lunch (on your own)

1:45 pm -2:15 pm

Florida Department of Environmental Protection Update

Adam Blalock,  Deputy Secretary for Ecosystems Restoration, FDEP

2:15 pm – 2:45 pm

Recognition of Scholarship winners / Students

2:45 pm – 3:30 pm

AWRA Awards, Announcements, and Drawing for Cooler of Cheer

3:30pm

Closing Remarks

5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Past President’s Networking Reception

Schooner Wharf Bar

202 William Street - Key West, Florida 33040

Saturday August 3

Join Us for Saturday Snorkeling & Sunset Cruises - book tickets on your own.

To add to the festivities, we have been working with FURY Water Adventures to secure an AWRA-FL 10% discount for snorkeling and sunset cruises on Saturday, August 3, 2024.  If you call and book your trip 5 days in advance you can get a 15% discount.

Original pricing without discount:

• 9:30 am Morning Snorkel - $49.45
• 1:00 pm Reefs and Ritas Snorkel - $59.95
• 6:30 pmCommotion on the Ocean Sunset Cruise - $79.95

Call Penny B to Book Your Trip Today! Tell her you are with AWRA to get the 10% discount.

(888) 976-0899

https://www.furycat.com/#snorkeling