The traditional FloridaACE Drive-In Conference converted to a fully virtual format in 2022 and is all about making connections and growing your FloridaACE network.
Through roundtables, discussions, and breakout conversations, the Digital Summit explores topics within the changing world of career services and university recruiting. This event also provides opportunities to connect with colleagues from across the state at a minimal cost.
2026 Digital Summit
Thursday, November 5 & Friday, November 6
12:30pm-4:30pm & 8:30am-12:30pm
Rethinking Partnerships and the Power of Educational and Employer Collaborations
The Digital Summit is one of FloridaACE’s cornerstone events, featuring two half-day virtual sessions.
As the landscape of hiring and services changes, career centers and university recruiters cannot afford to operate in silos. This year, we want to celebrate partnerships and focus on building a new way forward together. Join us at the Florida ACE Digital Summit as we explore how colleges, universities, employers, and community partners can work together to create meaningful opportunities that benefit students, institutions, and industry alike. We want to take time to show how, through effective partnerships, we can build Florida’s workforce for today and create the visionary leaders of tomorrow.
The 2026 Digital Summit brings together employers and career services professionals to explore how partnerships can enhance the student experience both on campus and in industry settings.
-
Understand different pathways to industry experience. Learn more about ways students can engage with experiential learning opportunities outside the traditional internship or co-operative education experiences.
-
Hear Directly from Employers and gain insight into how companies are engaging with university career centers, technology, and students to strengthen partnerships and collaboration.
-
See effective partnerships in practice. What is the ROI for students, employers, and career centers through these partnerships; what do these effective partnerships look like?
-
Engage in Future-Focused Discussions: how are partnerships and collaboration the new way forward? How can you implement partnerships in your career center or through your company for positive change as we move forward?
Event Highlights
Day 1 | November 5 | 12:30 PM – 4:30 PM (ET)
-
12:30pm: The Remo floor opens for check-in and networking
-
12:50pm: We’ll kick off the event with a welcome and system orientation
-
1pm: Beyond the Internship: Rethinking Experiential Learning (Panel) featuring Harris Ambush, USF; Liz Connor, Stetson University; Jessica Wensel, Rollins College; Marika Koch, UCF
-
2pm: Driving Success: How Universities can Better Prepare Students for the Job Search and Interviews hosted by Marlene Martinez, Enterprise Mobility
-
3:10pm: Affinity Networking Groups - get a chance to talk with your group or choose more than one!
-
Leadership hosted by Kelli Grogan, Florida College
-
Employers and Employer Relations hosted by Amy Cesari, Enterprise Mobility
-
Career Coaching & Advising and Internships hosted by Megan Blanco, UCF
Day 2 | November 6 | 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM (ET)
-
8:30am: The Remo floor opens for check-ins and networking
-
9am – Quick Day 2 Welcome
-
9:05am - Best of Conference Roundtable Discussions: Bringing the highest-rated roundtables from FloridaACE26 to you!
-
Echoes of Innovation in Action: Creating Care Spotters to Transform the Career Fair Experience, hosted by Lizz Giordano of ERAU
-
Building a Supportive Career Development Ecosystem: Positioning Student Well-Being at the Core of Career Decision Making hosted by Alexandra Minnick of UCF
-
And More!
-
10:05am: UCF – Effective Partnerships and ROI Panel featuring Justin Barwick and Aubrey Clevinger, UCF Barry S. Miller College of Business; Rich Smith, Fairwinds; Moderated by Kim Steele, USF
-
11:05am: What Comes Next? Creative Brainstorming and Vision Boarding hosted by Alexandra Minnick, UCF
In addition to the programming above, each day will be filled with networking opportunities with your FloridaACE colleagues. Join us and be part of the conversation driving the future of collaboration and engagement.
FREE for FloridaACE members!
Contact Lizz Giordano, Professional Development Director at [email protected].
|
