SLMP 8th ANNUAL SUMMIT
Theme: Heading West, Pioneering New Opportunities
JANUARY 22– 25, 2024
Westin La Paloma, Tucson, AZ
with Platinum Sponsor
Fellow Lake Managers & Business Owners,
The Board of Directors at SLMP is excited to continue with enhancements to the format for the upcoming summit. Based on feedback from our attendees, you have indicated that sharing information is extremely valuable to you and your organization.
You spoke, we listened! We have added breakout sessions for your staff to run concurrently with some of the Business Owner discussions. We’ll still have several technical presentations, But, rather than just the usual PowerPoint presentations for two and a half days, we will be having multiple interactive round-table Socratic discussions on a variety of topics that you told us are meaningful to you.
What are we talking about?! YOU will be part of the program every step of the way. Less lecture, more participation! More collaboration and problem solving on issues affecting YOU!
See you out west!!
Your SLMP Board of Directors
REGISTRATION
SLMP has made it more cost effective for you to bring more of your staff to the summit.
Registration for individuals is $395 and each additional person from your company is just $349!
Need to add more people after you’ve made your initial registration, just email Maryann! Info@lakeprofessionals.org
You will renew your organization’s membership for 2024 along with your summit registration. Your one annual membership fee is for your entire organization so you only pay that once no matter how many staff you bring. If you are new to the organization, select the membership option that best fits you this year. Not sure which option to choose, just ask!
Registration for individuals & exhibitors/sponsors
is NOW OPEN! Click Here!
Hotel Information
Our room block has ended as of December 29, 2023. The Westin is providing additional rooms at the $225 room rate based on availability. Rates may be higher. Email Dawn Glass at dawn.glass@westinlapaloma.com to request a room.
Room rate $225/night.
Resort fee is waived! Please note, however, that when booking via the link, the resort fee will appear on your reservation. It will be removed onsite.
Rates are available Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday nights and three days pre and post depending on availability.
Cancellations must be made at least 3 days in advance of arrival date or a 1 night cancellation fee will be charged.
Check in time is 4pm or later and check out time is 11am. Parking, WiFi & complimentary shuttle to La Encantada Shopping Center are all included.
Our room block normally sells out early so it is advisable to make reservations as soon as you are able. Please ensure your room selection and rate are correct.
EXHIBITOR/SPONSOR INFO
SLMP has multiple options available for you to help us promote our mission throughout the year by sponsoring at various levels. There are only a limited number of high-level sponsorships available so choose quickly!
What’s the difference between a Vendor and an Exhibitor? A Vendor is a membership category. An Exhibitor is an organization that has a booth at the Summit. Due to high demand for our exhibit spaces, all Exhibitors will be current Vendor members of the Society. Your membership for 2024 will be charged at the time of your exhibit/sponsor registration.
Our exhibit space is sold out, but we would be happy to welcome you as a Keynote, Auction or Student Scholarship Sponsor!
REGISTER HERE!
PROGRAM OUTLINE
(Draft outline may change at any time. Last update January 9, 2024)
Monday, January 22, 2024
Grand Canyon Ballroom
10am – Registration open
12pm – 5pm Exhibit booth set up
5:30pm – 7pm Summit Kickoff Cocktail Reception & Dinner – Wear your cowboy attire!
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
6:30am – 7:30am Devotional – Indigo Room (1st floor)
Arizona Foyer
7am – 8am Breakfast
7am – Registration Open
Grand Canyon Ballroom
8am – Welcome – SLMP President Cole Hulon
8:15am – Keynote – LT. Col. Tammy Barlette, USAF retired
9:15am – Vendor Spotlight
9:40am – Morning Break
Grand Canyon Ballroom
10:05am – Session 1 Table Groups – Leadership. Trent Lewis, Moderator
– Effective Leadership Development
– Leadership Communication
– Using Emotional Intelligence
11:15am – Vendor Spotlight
Arizona Foyer
11:45am – Lunch (provided)
Grand Canyon Ballroom
12:50pm – Session 2 Technical Presentations – Bob Robinson, Moderator
– Why Our Industry Should Focus on Toxic Algae Blooms – Terry McNabb
– Customer Expectations for Selling Advanced Science – Eli Kersh
– How to Scale your business in the Digital Age – Thad Norman
– Student Presentations
1. Examining the Impact of Emerging Contaminants on Phytoplankton Mortality, Photosynthetic Capacity, and Community Composition in South Carolina Lakes – Catherine Schlenker, M.S. Student, Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina
2. Investigating Factors Controlling Nitrogen Fixation by Harmful Benthic Cyanobacterial Mats at Lake Wateree, South Carolina – Archana Venkatachari, PhD Candidate, School of the Earth, Ocean and Environment, University of South Carolina
3. Modified biochar for Enhanced Removal of Emerging Contaminants from Aqueous Environments – Mohammad Khalid, Ph.D. student in Civil Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of North Carolina Charlotte
2:50pm – Vendor Spotlight
3:15pm – Afternoon Break
Grand Canyon Ballroom
3:45pm – Session 3 Table Groups – Customer Relations. Mark Litwiler, Moderator
– Dealing with the media, bad reviews, misinformation
– Building trust with new clients
– Managerial scenarios: Toxic employees, Company morale during tough days
4:45pm – Vendor Spotlight
5pm – Evening on your own
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
6:30am – 7:30am Devotional – Indigo Room (1st floor)
Arizona Foyer
7am – 8am Breakfast
7am – Registration Open
Grand Canyon Ballroom
8am – Morning Announcements – SLMP President Cole Hulon
8:10am – Session 4 Technical Presentations. Sean Fleming, Moderator
– Surface Aeration, What We Know and What We Are Still Learning – Cory Richmond
– Stormwater Ponds in Tucson – Jacob Prietto
– The Gap in US Production of Aquaculture Products Compared to the Rest of the World – Dr. Kevin FitzSimmons
9:40am – Vendor Spotlight
10am – Morning Break
Grand Canyon Ballroom
10:30am – Session 5 Table Groups – Impact of New Technology. John Redd, Moderator
– Artificial Intelligence
– Latest Tech and how best to use it
11:45am – Vendor Spotlight
Arizona Foyer
12pm – Lunch (provided)
Breakout sessions
Grand Canyon Ballroom
1:15pm – Session 6A Table Groups (Owners & Upper Level Staff) – Expansion and Growth. Mason Grimes, Moderator
– KPI
– Marketing Strategies
– Evolutionary Changes/New Revenue Streams
Indigo Room (First Floor)
1:15pm – Session 6B – Table Groups (Technicians) – Performance Delivery. Mitchell Morton & Ethan Edge, Moderator
– Staff Training
– Scenarios
2:45pm – Afternoon Break
Grand Canyon Ballroom
3:15pm – Session 7A Table Groups (Owners & Upper Level Staff), Trent Lewis, Moderator
– Professional Development
Indigo Room (First Floor)
3:15pm – Session 7B (Technicians) Mitchell Morton & Ethan Edge, Moderator
– Sales 101
Grand Canyon Ballroom
4:30pm – Table Group Competition!
4:45pm – Cocktails, Awards, Raffles & Auction
6pm – Evening on your own
Thursday, January 25, 2024
6:30am – 7:30am Devotional – Indigo Room (1st floor)
Arizona Foyer
7am – 8am Breakfast
7am – Registration Open
Grand Canyon Ballroom
8am – Annual Business Meeting – SLMP President Cole Hulon
8:30am – Session 8 Technical Presentations. Greg Grimes, Moderator
– The Status of Gamefish in the US – Adam Hater
– An Investigation of Genetic Markers Associated with Gender and Ultimate Size in Florida Bass – Josh Sakmar
– Creating trophy Fisheries – David Beasley
– In-Season and Overwintering Cyanobacteria Control Methods Using Liquid and Granular Paa/Hydrogen Peroxide – Tom Warmuth
10:00 am – Morning Break
10:30am – Session 9 Technical Presentations. Matt Rayl, Moderator
– Regulatory Issues and Updates SLMP Should Be Aware Of – Carlton Layne
– Lake and Reservoir Habitat Restoration: Science to Application – Dr. Brian Graeb
11:45am – Summit Closing Remarks
12:15pm – SLMP Board Meeting – South Rim Room