National Freedom of Information Coalition

2007 Florida FOI Summit

The 2007 Florida FOI Summit will be held Sept. 20-21, 2007, at the University of Florida, in Gainesville, FL. The Summit will bring together access advocates, government officials, media lawyers, journalists, educators, citizens and students to discuss the latest issues and developments in freedom of information in Florida, nationally and globally.

The Summit is sponsored by The Brechner Center for Freedom of Information, College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Florida. As part of the Summit, the Center will celebrate its 30th anniversary. The cost of the conference is being underwritten by a grant from Mrs. Marion Brechner.

The conference will include:

  • More than a dozen speakers, including Florida's Governor Charlie Crist (invited) and Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum
  • Kickoff presentation by Ken Paulson, editor of USA Today
  • FOI advice from the experts, including award-winning journalists, media lawyers and access advocates
  • "State of FOI" in Florida, Washington, D.C., across the country and around the world by the leading experts
  • Discussions on FOI challenges and opportunities, including small group discussion sections and development of strategies for future action
  • Exploration of ways to work effectively with legislators on open government issues
  • Induction of a new class into the Florida Freedom of Information Hall of Fame
  • Presentation of the Brechner Center for Freedom of Information's 22nd Annual FOI award
  • Recognition of Top 30 FOI stories in Florida over past 30 years

As the conference agenda is finalized, other speakers and features of this Summit will be announced on the Brechner Center's web site at: http://www.brechner.org/.

The cost of the conference and meals will be free for the first 50 registrants. After that, registration, which will include reception and all meals, will be $50. The conference will begin at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 20 and will include a reception and evening program. Friday's program will begin at 8 a.m. with a breakfast, will include a luncheon and end at 4:30 p.m.

To register for the 2007 Florida FOI Summit, you should Send an email to floridafoi@jou.ufl.edu OR call 352-392-2273 and leave a message.

When registering, please provide your name, title, affiliation and contact information (address, email and phone number). Also, please register for the following:

  • Thursday reception
  • Friday breakfast
  • Friday luncheon

Hotel information: We've reserved a block of rooms at the following hotels:

  • Hilton University of Florida Conference Center
  • Call: 352-371-3600
  • Press #2 and ask for in-house reservations. Group Code is BFT
  • Rate: $149.00 single or double
  • Deadline: August 24, 2007
  • Website: http://www.ufhotel.com/
  • Reitz Union Hotel
  • Contact: Front Desk: 352-392-2151
  • Group Code: C0J07
  • Deadline: August 31, 2007
  • Std Rate: $70-2 dbl beds
  • Std Rte: $70- 1 queen bed
  • Deluxe: $80- 1 king bed
  • Deluxe: $80-1 queen bed
  • Business Suite: $90- 2 dbl beds- +1 sleep sofa
  • Exec. Suite: $100- 2 queen beds + 1 sleep sofa
  • Website: http://www.union.ufl.edu/hotel/