By Michael Davis
Vendors, authors, entertainers and leaders from the entire spectrum of the transgender community arrive in sunny (and occasionally rainy) Fort Lauderdale, Florida to create a 4-day symposium full of learning, networking and fun just for you! This year’s conference is packed with seminars, on-site activities as well as several planned trips away from the host hotel, the Bonaventure Resort & Spa, 250 Racquet Club Rd, Weston, FL 33326
As always, the seminar schedule reflects Southern Comfort’s commitment to serve the diverse needs of its community.
Tuesday, September 29
Meet and Greet (6 pm to 8 pm)—The Society Lounge
Wednesday, September 30
Registration open: 8 am to 6 pm
Marketplace set up: 9 am to 6 pm
First Timers desk open/Big Brothers-Big Sisters — Check in & see Emily Ashcroft
Local shuttle will be available for local shopping. Check event board.
First timer/Princess Day breakfast (10 am-10:45 am)–Presidential Suite
Princess Day (11 am to 2 pm) for $30 including lunch – Join the group as we leave the hotel around 10:45 in-route to spending the morning “Getting Pretty” and meeting new friends. We alternate between getting new nails, beauty tips at Sephora, strolling and shopping, and meeting for a nice lady-like-lunch before heading back to the resort around 2. While the transportation and lunch are included, you will need to budget for nails ($35-$75) and your shopping budget.
River Cruise (12 pm to 3 pm) for $35 (including lunch) – Take a 90-minute cruise along the New River to view the yachts, mansions, and the flora of downtown Fort Lauderdale.
Provider Day Event (1 pm to 3:30 pm)–Amphitheater
Everglades Airboat Tour (2:15 pm-4:30 pm) $30 – Enjoy the Everglades Holiday Park with their Airboat ride and tour of the local everglades. This is very informative with fun and education for locals and a must for out-of-town guests. This is the host site for the Gator Boys TV show and is a part of Florida that the South Beach crowd never sees!
Provider Day Reception (3:30 pm-4:40 pm)—The Society Lounge
Dinner Out (7:00 pm–9:00 pm)–$55 at a local Tuscan Grill which can be considered casual or up-scale so dress as you prefer.
Casino Trip (8-midnight)–$15 to the Hard Rock Casino so you can gamble a little, stroll and shop, dine, and party as you like.
Karaoke (9 pm–midnight)
Movie night (9 pm-12 am) — I Am Jazz — Premiere episode followed by a movie.
Thursday, October 1
Registration opens: 8 am-12 noon and 2 pm-5 pm
Market place opens: 9 am-6 pm
Yoga with Sierra (8:30 am-9 am)–Sanibel Room
Golf Tournament (8:30 am to 2 pm) $60.00 plus $35 for club rental (if needed – including a box lunch). This event has been upgraded to a resort level course at Bonaventure. Wear your cutest outfit and enjoy playing from the ladies’ tees.
Newcomer reception/breakfast (9:00 am to 10:30 am) – Presidential Suite
Shuttle service route — local circuit run to area vendors. Check event board for details.
Robert Eads Health Program (10 am)–Meet by The Society Lounge
Nest program — Comfort Zone — Room 3139 10am – noon. Pair Tree – Room 3139 2pm – 3:30pm. Open Space – Room 3119 5pm -6pm
Welcome lunch (12 noon – 2 pm)
Seminars begin at 2:00 pm
Out and Equal Reception (5 pm-6 pm)–Presidential Suite, Room 4109
Thursday night football — Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers … Cash bar provided. Bar menu available. (7:30 pm)—The Society Lounge
The off-site events consist of several options that start with our bus leaving for Wilton Manors at 6pm. You can mix and match these events so you can have a casual or full evening at your choice. The same shuttle route covers for the Reception, LIPS, Wilton Manor Crawl, and the Casino.
Pre-Dinner Reception in Wilton Manors (6:30 pm-10 pm) – Reception (think wine and cheese) at the Stonewall Museum to honor the history of the Transgender Community. This is an excellent way to start your evening and learn about how we got to this point.
LIPS Dinner Show (7:30 pm to 9:30 pm) $40 – From the reception, we will go to LIPS for a drag show with a good dinner menu and entertainment that was fun last year. Shuttle leaves at 6PM!
Casino Trip (8 pm-11:30 pm) $15 Shuttle to the Hard Rock Casino so you can gamble a little, stroll and shop, dine, and party as you like. On-site tickets will be available for $20 on a space available basis. Shuttle reception and continue the route to the casino.
Friday, October 2
Registration opens: 8 am-12 noon and 2 pm-5 pm
Yoga with Sierra: (8:30 am–9:30 am)–Sanibel Room
Out and Equal Coffee and Cake Breakfast (8:30 am–9:15 am)—The Society Lounge
Marketplace opens: 9 am-6 pm
Seminars begin at 10 am
Out and Equal Presentation (9:30 am–noon)–Biscayne Room
Free HIV testing–Captiva Room
Lunch (12 noon–2 pm) Speaker: Gina Duncan — Equality Florida
Kristen Reichman book signing (2 pm- 4pm) Pre-function Area
Nest programming — Comfort Zone (2 pm-3:30 pm) room 3119, Open Space (2 pm-3:30 pm) room 3139
Transparent showing and Q and A (2 pm-3:30 pm) Hosted by Zacary Drucker
Trans-vet Reception hosted by Michelle Cooper (3:30 pm–5 pm)–The Presidential Suite, Room 4109
Transparent reception (5 pm-6 pm) Sponsored by Dr. Canadas.
Cocktail Hour (6 pm-7 pm)–Pre-function area
Dinner (7 pm-9 pm) — Keynote speaker: Kristen Reichmank with Ventriloquist Marc Merchant — Ballroom
Karaoke (9 pm to midnight)–The Society Lounge
Dance music (9:30 pm to midnight) – Ballroom
Saturday, October 3
Registration opens: 8 am–12 noon
Yoga with Sierra (8:30 am to 9:30 am) — Sanibel Room
Dance lessons (9 am to 10 am)—Ballroom. Get ready to boogie Saturday night.
Market place opens: 9 am-6 pm
Seminars begin at 10 am
Free HIV testing – Captiva Room
Lunch (12 noon–2 pm) — Keynote speaker: Jazz Jennings. She will be signing her book, I Am Jazz (2 pm–3 pm)
Seminars begin 2:00 pm
Nest programming — Comfort Zone (10 am–noon)— Room 3119, The Youth Space – (2:30pm to 4pm) –Room 3139, Parents of Transgender Youth (2:30 pm to 4 pm)–Presidential Suite, Room 4109
Heather’s Pool Party (2:30 pm – 4:30 pm)–Pool
Cocktail Party (6 pm–7 pm) –Pre-function area. Professional photos available.
Gala Dinner (7 pm-9 pm)–50/50 raffle and drawings for prizes!
Gala Dance (9:30 pm–1 am) — Featuring She’s That Dude
ALL TIMES AND LOCATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE!!
Photo Credit: southerncomfortconference.org