2025 Conference Information

Agenda             Register Fun Run, Socials, Field Trip
The GUE conference is back! We’re off to a running start on Thursday morning in High Springs with a Fun Run open to everyone, and in the evening, a chance to greet old friends and make new ones at the first of our event socials. Presentations on Friday will take place at the UF Hilton in Gainesville, and we’ll wrap up the day with a banquet dinner and program. Saturday brings the opportunity for fun diving, a springs cleanup, and presentations, and a North Florida Field Trip is available on Sunday.

Conference Registration Prices

Level Price
Non-member $350
Conservation Member $300
Silver Member $275
Gold Member $250
Platinum Member FREE!
Not a GUE Member?
Join here!

Conference Registration Prices

Level Regular Price Through June 1
Non-member $300 -
Conservation Member $275 $250
Silver Member $250 $225
Gold Member $225 $200
Platinum Member FREE!
Not a GUE Member?
Join here!
Conference Registration Includes: 
  • Lectures, presentations, and workshops
  • Conference bag with goodies
  • Conference t-shirt (only until September 30!)
  • Breakfast buffet and coffee Friday morning
  • Snack & coffee breaks on Friday
  • Lunch on Friday
  • Cocktail hour with appetizers on Friday evening
  • Banquet Dinner and Program on Friday evening
REGISTRATION CLOSES FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31 AT 5 PM EST

Location

High Springs is located just 25 minutes north of Gainesville in beautiful North Central Florida. Local airports include Gainesville (GNV), Jacksonville (JAX, 1.5 hrs north), and Orlando (MCO, 2 hrs south). 

Friday
Presentations and banquet dinner will be in Gainesville at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center.
1714 SW 34th St, Gainesville, FL 32607

Diving
Florida is renowned for its cave diving, but there are also open water options available! Extreme Exposure is the local GUE Premium Dive Center and is your resource for gear rental, gas fills, updates on local diving conditions, and more. Contact them to reserve your tanks and gear so you don't miss out on what North Florida has to offer!
 

Accommodation

There are a number of options for accommodation in the Gainesville, Alachua, and High Springs area. Conference activities on Friday, November 7, will take place at the Hilton UF Conference Center in Gainesville.

GUE Conference attendees can receive a special rate of $169/night by booking by phone at +1-800-445-8667 and referencing group name "Global Underwater Explorers 2025". You must book by October 7 to receive special pricing! Applicable booking dates are November 6-8. 

Hotel location:
1714 SW 34th St
Gainesville, FL 32607
 
We are also pleased to offer you special group rates at the Hampton Inn in Alachua, Florida​​​​​​, just 10 minutes from High Springs. Take advantage of the special rates by booking here with group name "GUE Conference"  or by calling +1-800-445-8667 and using code 900. 

Hotel location:
15930 NW 163rd Ln
Alachua, FL 32615

We also recommend Airbnb.com and Vrbo.com for house rentals for larger groups and longer stays.

Other Activities

Thursday, November 6

GUE Fun Run

Join us for a our hometown and have planned a 6k and 12k route that leads participants through a quaint High Springs neighborhood, along a nicely paved trail to Poe Springs, and back to GUE Headquarters. We won’t be timing people and there won’t be age categories or divisions of any kind. The idea is to go have FUN, and the fee includes a fun event tee! 

Price: $25

Sunday, November 9

North Florida Field Trip

Join Dr. Todd Kincaid for a full-day tour of North Florida. Meet at GUE HQ then spend the day hiking, canoeing, and exploring the local area. Price includes your transportation for the day, lunch, and canoe rental.

Price: $60

Tuesday, November 11 - Friday, November 14
Open to dive professionals, DEMA Show 2025 will be at the Orange County Convention Center - West Concourse in Orlando, Florida!

Thank you to our generous sponsors!

Thank you for considering sponsorship of the GUE Conference! If you have any questions or would like to become a sponsor, please contact HQ.

Sponsorship is open to the entire dive community, including manufacturers, dive shops, and instructors. The levels below can apply to monetary donations or donations of goods (such as dive gear and accessories, dive destination packages, and class spaces) with a matching retail value to be used for the conference itself or for the global silent auction that will be held during the conference. This will allow all of our members, not just those attending the conference, to see the items up for auction, place bids, and help support GUE’s mission. The auction will have a very large audience, providing advertising to an international group of divers interested in quality, cutting-edge products and equipment. 

Level A: Donation of $3,500
  • Logo displayed on GUE conference webpage
  • Featured in social media leading up to the conference
  • 10x20 space with (2) standard size 6 foot tables and (4) chairs in the pre-function area in which to promote your group, activity, or business
  • Special mention at the conference presentations
  • One-minute time period to show a video promo during Saturday's banquet
  • Logo prominently displayed on the conference agenda
  • Large logo on the conference bag
  • Free conference registration and admission to Friday night social for 2 people
Level B: Donation of $2,000
  • Logo displayed on GUE conference webpage
  • Included in social media leading up to the conference
  • 10x10 space with (1) standard size 6 foot table and (2) chairs in the pre-function area in which to promote your group, activity, or business
  • 30-second time period to show a video promo during Saturday's banquet
  • Logo on the conference agenda
  • Logo on the conference bag
  • Free conference registration and admission to Friday night social for 1 person
Level C: Donation of $1,000
  • Logo displayed on GUE conference webpage
  • (1) standard size 6 foot table in the pre-function area in which to promote your group, activity, or business
  • Logo on the conference agenda
  • Logo on the conference bag
Level D: Donation of $500
  • (1) standard size 6 foot table in the pre-function area in which to promote your group, activity, or business
  • Name listed on the conference agenda
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