FCA 86th Annual Convention
October 20-22, 2016
Holiday Inn Lake Buena Vista at the Walt Disney World Resort
Expanding Horizons
Deadline for Submissions: Passed
For the 2016 Call for Award Nominations, please visit: https://floridacom.org/2016-call-for-nominations/
The 86th annual convention’s theme is Expanding Horizons. Humanity progresses when it questions the prevailing, studies the evolving and discovers the unknown. Both in academia and in our professional lives, such progress is reflected in our ability to expand our horizons and the horizons of others around us. Such expansion can occur through criticism, research, teaching and suitable application of the artistic, humanistic and scientific principles of communication. Thus, as scholars and practitioners we must facilitate discussion on new research in communication that enables us both to face the challenges and to embrace the opportunities presented by our ever-changing discipline. This year’s convention will have three tracks: Communication Pedagogy, Competitive Communication Scholarship, and Communication Trends. These tracks will run simultaneously and allow for movement between tracks throughout the convention. At any given time, attendees will be able to choose between a session on pedagogy, scholarship and current trends.
Communication Pedagogy Track
Submissions to the Communication Pedagogy track seek to foster a community of learners. Panels, Great Ideas for Teaching Students (G.I.F.T.S.), Workshops and papers that focus on pedagogy will run continuously in this track. Submissions to this track, especially in the G.I.F.T.S. category, may be paired thematically with like submissions to create a cohesive, well-paced experience for attendees. Discussion panel, workshop and paper panel proposals must include a one-page attachment containing: (1) a rationale for the proposed panel/workshop/paper, (2) a brief (50-word) description AND a brief (100-word) abstract for the proposed panel/workshop/paper, (3) a list of all participants/authors including names, titles, affiliations and contact information (email and phone number). Please clearly identify the chairperson of the panel/workshop/paper, who shall serve as the primary contact for notifications. Submit here.
Communication Trends Track
Submissions to the Communication Trends track seek to foster a community of academics and professionals who examine trends in our societal, cultural, and organizational settings. Panels, workshops, and papers that focus on these trends will run continuously in this track. Submissions in this track may be paired thematically with like submissions to create a cohesive, well-paced experience for attendees. Discussion panel, workshop and paper panel proposals must include a one-page attachment containing: (1) a rationale for the proposed panel/workshop/paper, (2) a brief (50-word) description AND a brief (100-word) abstract for the proposed panel/workshop/paper (3) a list of all participants/authors including names, titles, affiliations and contact information (email and phone number). Please clearly identify the chairperson of the panel/workshop/paper, who shall serve as the primary contact for notifications. Submit here.
Competitive Communication Scholarship Track
Paper Sessions
Submissions to the Competitive Communication Scholarship track are competitive papers addressing one aspect of the conference theme. Competitive papers may be professional, graduate or undergraduate submissions and should be clearly labeled as such. Competitive papers will be blind peer-reviewed and all competitive papers submitted will be considered for a Top Paper Award in the respective category. Submissions should include two files (preferably Microsoft Word or PDF): (1) one file containing a cover sheet listing the paper title and names, titles, affiliations, emails, postal addresses and phone numbers for all authors (please indicate on the cover sheet that this is a “Competitive Paper” and identify the category (Undergraduate, Graduate or Professional); and (2) a second file including a 50-word abstract. You may submit your abstract only for consideration by the submission deadline. Full papers should be submitted no later than September 1 via email to Timea Varga, Vice President, at TVarga@lynn.edu. The completed papers should not exceed 25 double-spaced pages, excluding references and appendices. To facilitate blind review, please omit all author-identifying information from the text. Submit here.
Poster Session
Graduate and undergraduate students are invited to submit to the Competitive Poster Session. Poster session proposals must include one attachment containing: (1) a one-page rationale for the proposed poster, (2) a brief (50-word) description of the poster, and (3) a list of all participants including names, titles, affiliations and contact information (email and phone number). Please clearly identify the category (Undergraduate or Graduate) and identify the chairperson of the poster session who shall serve as the primary contact for notifications. Submit here.
Moderator Opportunity
Interest in becoming a moderator for panels and workshops are welcomed and can be expressed via email to Timea Varga, Vice President, at TVarga@lynn.edu. Moderators will be asked to introduce session topics and participants and to facilitate the flow of breakout sessions.
Poster Judging Opportunity
Interest in becoming a poster judge for the poster sessions are welcomed and can be expressed via email to Timea Varga, Vice President, at TVarga@lynn.edu. Judges will be asked to evaluate poster presentations on the basis of oral and visual components.
Submitting Your Proposal
All proposals should be submitted electronically using the FCA website at http://www.floridacom.org. Use the “Convention” link in the top menu and then click on “2016 Call for Proposals.” Under the description of each Track, you will see the link: "Submit here." If you experience problems submitting your proposal, please contact Timea Varga, Vice President, at TVarga@lynn.edu.
Convention Registration is Required
All presenters must register for the convention online by the early registration deadline of September 1, 2016. Convention registration is now open.
Click here to register.
Convention Hotel and Additional Information
The 86th Annual Convention of the Florida Communication Association will be held at the Holiday Inn in the Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Florida. This hotel is located on Hotel Plaza Boulevard, less than one mile from Downtown Disney. More information about this hotel can be found on their website at http://www.hiorlando.com. We have secured a special room rate of $124 per night. Reservations can be made by calling 877-394-5765 and asking to speak with the reservations department. Reference the Florida Communication Association rate, group code MUN. You may also make reservations online by clicking here. Reservations must be made by September 20, 2016 in order to guarantee this special group rate.
Sponsorship and Involvement Opportunities
The FCA is seeking sponsors for a number of convention related activities including breaks, lunches, printing, keynote speaker, entertainment, etc. Becoming a sponsor is a great opportunity to highlight and promote your organization. For additional information about sponsorship, please contact Jennifer Toole, Marketing Coordinator, at Jennifer.Toole02@saintleo.edu. There will be additional opportunities to assist with convention planning and development as the convention nears. Opportunities include session moderators, convention logistics, and convention receptions.
If you have suggestions or need additional information, please contact Timea Varga, Vice President, at TVarga@lynn.edu.
We look forward to seeing you October 20-22, 2016 in Orlando, Florida!