Brace yourself for some seriously exciting news: we’re flipping the script on the Gulf Coast Annual Chapter Meeting this year from September 9th to 11th, 2024!
Say goodbye to those usual gloomy fall vibes and hello to sunshine and good times on the beach! We’re taking over the Henderson Beach Resort in Destin, FL, and trust us, it’s going to be a blast. We encourage all family members to attend!
And get this - FORMAL WEAR IS OUT, and resort chic is in! Picture yourself kicking back in your favorite casual threads, soaking up the sun, and enjoying the sea breeze. Our attire enforcement squad will charge drinks to your room if you dare to break the dress code!
Now, onto the fun stuff: we’ve got a golf outing lined up on registration day (Monday), followed by a beachside welcome reception. After a fun day of presentations on Tuesday, we’ll have dinner outdoors under the stars and string lights while listening to island music. Plus, we’re on the hunt for sponsors for our annual college scholarship for those itching to dive into the maritime industry.
Oh, and did we mention we’re bringing in a motivational speaker to sprinkle some inspiration on the whole affair?
Special Notices (because we’re all about keeping you in the loop):
- Rooms at the resort are flying off the shelves faster than sunscreen at a beach party! So, make sure to snag yours ASAP to secure your spot in September paradise. Sure, there are a couple of hotels nearby, but trust us, nothing beats the resort experience!
- Calling all golf enthusiasts! The fabulous Regatta Bay Golf Club is rolling out the green carpet for us with an afternoon tournament. And hey, if you’re a Diamond or Platinum sponsor, you’ve got a team included in the package! Reach out to Wendell Mears (wmears@anchorqea.com) and Charlie Johnson (chjohnson@dscdredge.com) to RSVP quicker than you can say "fore"!
So, mark your calendars, pack your shades, and get ready to join us for the ultimate WEDA adventure! Can’t wait to see you there!
Cheers,
Together, we will MAKE WEDA FUN AGAIN; see you on the beach!
Wendell Mears
Secretary, WEDA Gulf Coast
On behalf of the Gulf Coast Chapter 2024 Board Members
Join us at The Henderson Beach Resort in Destin, Florida
Agenda
Monday
SEP 09
12:00 pm
Golf Tournament at Indian Bayou Golf Club
6:00 pm
Icebreaker
TUESDAY
SEP 10
6:45 am
Breakfast
8:15 am
Welcome &
Technical Presentations
11:30 am
Lunch
1:00 pm
Technical Presentations
6:00 pm
Dinner on The Grand Lawn
WEDNESDAY
SEP 11
7:30 am
Breakfast
8:30 am
Technical Presentations
12:00 pm
Chapter Business Meeting & Conference Closing
Join the Club!
Diamond Level
Gold Level
Silver Level
Bronze Level
Platinum
Sponsorship
$6,500
Icebreaker
Sponsorship
$6,000
Diamond
Sponsorship
$4,500
Dinner
Sponsorship
$5,000
College
Scholarship
Sponsorship
$2,500
Full Page
$300
Half Page
$150
Quarter Page
$100
Gold
Sponsorship
$2,500
Silver
Sponsorship
$1,500
Bronze
Sponsorship
$750
Golf
We invite those interested to join us for a golf excursion prior to our Icebreaker Event at the Henderson Beach Resort.
To ensure we reserve the perfect number of tee times for our group, we kindly request an early head count from those interested in teeing off at 12:00 pm CT. Please reach out to Wendell Mears (wmears@anchorqea.com), if you plan to arrive in time for this tee time.
Date: | Monday, September 9, 2024 |
Time: | Shotgun Start at 12:00 PM |
Location: | |
Play Style: | 4-Person Scramble |
Registration Deadline: | Friday, August 30, 2024 |
Price: | Single Player - $175 4-Person Team - $640 Gov’t Player - $125 |
Mulligans: | $25/each per team |
Lunch: | Box lunch will be provided and included in the fee. |
Purchase Single Player Here!
Purchase
4-Person Team
Here!
Purchase Gov’t Player Here!
Purchase Mulligans Here!
Join us at the clubhouse following the event for scoring , prizes, and libations! Prizes will be given to First Place, Last Place, Longest Drive, Closest to the Hole, Longest Putt (for both ladies and gentlemen).
Right-handed clubs are available for rental for $50 from the clubhouse. Contact the clubhouse directly to secure your rental at 850-837-6191.
**Got any extra special fun ideas you’d like to sponsor? Let us know!
Expo
Expo registration will include a 6' x30' space, a table, and two chairs. If you need electrical capability, please send an email to SDearing@callanmarineltd.com.
Setup: Expo Registrants can begin setup at 3:00pm on Monday, September 9, 2024.
Shipping & Handling:
The Resort charges a $5.00 handling fee per box for received and returned of any and all conference materials shipped to the Resort. This handling fee will cover the receipt of shipments, and secured storage for up to 5 days. Please ensure shipments arrive to earlier than September 4, 2024.
All shipments should be routed directly to the Resort:
Henderson Beach Resort
Attn: WEDA GUlf Coast Conference/YOUR NAME
200 Henderson Resort Way
Destin, FL 32541
Scholarship
If you are currently a student member or wish to become a member of the Western Dredging Association and are currently enrolled in a university or technical program (see eligibility requirements below), you are invited to submit a short essay on a dredging-related topic for consideration in the 2024 WEDA Gulf Coast Student Scholarship competition.
Eligibility
Applicants must satisfy the following:
- Currently enrolled in a university or technical program within the geographic area of the WEDA Gulf Coast Chapter (Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida).
- Complete the Short Essay Requirement and submit it by the deadline.
- The applicant must be a current Student Member of WEDA. The Student Membership fee is $25 for one year. To register as a Student Member, visit this website: https://westerndredging.org/index.php/weda-membership-application
- Applicants must plan to attend the WEDA Gulf Coast Conference in Destin, FL, on September 10, 2024, to accept the award in person. WEDA will sponsor the winner’s travel.
Award
- $5,000 Scholarship
- Hosted as a guest of honor at the WEDA Gulf Coast Conference
- Plaque of Recognition
Short Essay
- Begin the essay with a brief background of yourself, including your university or technical program, personal interests, volunteer work, and work experience (1 paragraph).
- The paper must address a dredging-related problem you have witnessed or experienced within the dredging industry that you would like to share with industry professionals.
Essay Format
- Essays must be submitted in English.
- Applicants must be the sole author of the short essay. No co-authors allowed.
- Maximum length: 3 typed pages, including the title page and any necessary attachments.
- The paper should be written in Times New Roman, 12-point font size. The paper's title should be in 14-point font size and use all capitals.
- The title page must include the title of the paper, the author's name and contact information, and the words “WEDA Gulf Coast.”
Evaluation Criteria
- Originality – 20%
- Significance: Potential to contribute to the field of dredging – 20%
- Scope and Format: Technical and textual report structure, clarity, and writing style – 20%
- Validity: Technical soundness – 20%
- Applicability: Capacity for real-world use – 20%
Submittal
Applications must be submitted electronically to the contact information provided (ensure you update the contact information). The deadline for receipt of the student paper entries is August 16, 2024, at 11:59 PM CT. Entries received after this date will not be considered.
Point of Contact
WEDA - Gulf Coast Chapter
Attn: WEDA Gulf Coast Scholarship
Email: SDearing@callanmarineltd.com