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Auxiliary Enterprises

Event Services

Office of University Event Services (UES)

The Office of University Event Services supports the mission of Florida Polytechnic University by providing comprehensive planning, coordination, and logistical support for events and meetings. Through collaboration, efficient processes, and exceptional service, we help create engaging experiences for students, faculty, staff, and community partners while maximizing the use of campus spaces.

Florida Polytechnic University offers a wide variety of event spaces, including classrooms, conference rooms, and outdoor venues, to meet the needs of both campus and non-affiliated guests. Our team is here to assist with planning, coordinating, and executing your event or meeting so you can focus on your content and guests.

Wellness Center
4700 Research Way
Lakeland, FL 33805

Event Types & Fee Structure

Florida Polytechnic University classifies events into the following categories to determine planning responsibility, access, and fee structure. 

Meetings held on campus by a recognized university department, division, office or organization. The university entity serves as the host and holds full responsibility for the meeting. 

Fee Structure:

  • No charge for room or space rental
  • 50% charge for University Events Services labor/support
  • Full charge for all other event-related services

Events hosted by a recognized university department, division, office, or organization. The university entity serves as the host and holds full responsibility for the event. These events may include external guests or be open to the public.

Fee Structure:

  • No charge for room or space rental
  • 50% charge for University Events Services labor/support
  • Full charge for all other event-related services

Events jointly hosted by a university department/unit and an external organization. Both parties share hosting responsibility. If the external organization promotes the event, Florida Polytechnic University must be identified as a sponsor in all promotional materials.

Fee Structure:

  • 50% charge for room or space rental
  • 50% charge for University Event Services labor/support
  • Full charge for all other event-related services
  • No tax charged for tax-exempt organizations
  • Costs may be paid by the University, the external organization, or split between both

Events hosted on campus by an external organization with a recognized business partnership with the university. The external organization serves as the primary host.

Fee Structure:

  • 50% charge for room or space rental
  • 50% charge for University Event Services labor/support
  • Full charge for all other event-related services
  • No tax charged for tax-exempt organizations

Events or meetings held on university property by an external organization. The external organization holds all responsibility for hosting the event or meeting.

Fee Structure:

  • Full charge for room or space rental
  • 15% discount for nonprofit organizations
  • Full charge for University Event Services labor/support
  • Full charge for all other event-related services
  • No tax charged for tax-exempt organizations

Planning an Event or Meeting

To ensure a successful event or meeting, please follow the guidelines below.

If you are affiliated with the University and would like to reserve space for an internal meeting, please submit a request through the Event Management System (EMS) using the internal meeting space reservation process.

If you do not have access to the appropriate meeting template in EMS, contact University Event Services for assistance.

  • Meeting spaces may be reserved on the same day, provided no additional services (e.g., audiovisual, catering, equipment) are required.
  • Meetings requiring services must follow the Internal University Event process (see Planning an Internal University Event or University Partner Event).

If you are affiliated with the University and plan to host an event on campus, you must complete the University Event Request Form.

Submission Timelines:

  • Events with fewer than 100 attendees must be submitted at least 30 calendar days in advance. Review and confirmation may take up to two weeks.

  • Events with more than 100 attendees must be submitted at least 60 calendar days in advance. Review and confirmation may take up to three weeks.

  • All tabling events must be submitted at least two weeks in advance. Review and confirmation may take up to one week.

Faculty-hosted events must first be submitted through the Academic Affairs Event Request process. Once approved by Academic Affairs, submit the University Event Request Form and follow the process outlined above.

Non-affiliated organizations wishing to host an event or meeting on campus must contact University Event Services directly.

Submission Timelines:

  • Events or meetings with fewer than 100 attendees must be requested at least 60 calendar days in advance.

  • Events or meetings with more than 100 attendees must be requested at least 90 calendar days in advance.

Review and confirmation timelines vary based on complexity and size. Once approved, a University Event Services staff member will contact the requester to finalize event or meeting details and logistics.

Tips for a Successful Event/Meeting

Florida Poly has a number of different calendars that contain important information for students, employees, and the community. Check the university event calendar to see what’s already scheduled. If you would like your event included on the official university events calendar, submit a project ticket to Marketing.

Are you interested in having your event or meeting catered? Chartwells Higher Education Dining Services, our university dining program, offers premiere catering experience in Carved & Crafted

Let Carved and Crafted guide you, from designing the perfect menu to personalizing all the details of your unique event or meeting. Their catering services can accommodate any size, theme, or individual requirements, in virtually any setting. 

Click here to access their full Catering Guide. 

If you would like assistance with promoting your event or meeting on campus or in the community, contact Marketing. Consider submitting information about your event to the Weekly Phoenix, on the website, in the mobile app, to the local media, etc. Marketing can also help you hire a photographer or videographer.

Events are required to be ADA compliant. When planning events, please think about the accessibility of signing up and/or participating in the event. Provide a process for requesting accommodation(s), may use ADA@floridapoly.edu for individuals to request accommodations. The ADA Coordinator is available to provide guidance and recommendations. For information reach out to ADA@floridapoly.edu and/or (863) 874-8484.

The Department of Risk Management supports the university’s on-campus and off-campus events. Events or meetings working with external vendors or having potentially hazardous activities taking place should reach out to the Department of Risk Management to ensure proper documentation is collected and procedures are followed.

Non-affiliated guests who are looking to host their event or meeting at Florida Poly are required to provide proof of insurance, however, the specific insurance types will be determined by the event and activities. Additional insurance requirements or changes to the limits will be assessed based on the type of event. Questions regarding Certificates of Insurance (COI) can be directed to the Department of Risk Management.

Session Details

This session will demonstrate that practical risk management is for everyone, regardless of a formal program. Attendees will learn actionable and simple strategies that are easy to implement, enabling them to start immediately by focusing on their top risks to build greater operational resilience and ensure the sustained success of their auxiliary enterprises.

Presenter Profile

Michelle Powell serves as the pioneering Risk Manager at Florida Polytechnic University, the state’s sole 100% STEM-dedicated institution. Having been with the university for nearly 11 years, Michelle transitioned from a leadership role in Admissions in October 2023 to establish and evolve the risk management function from the ground up. In this solo capacity, Michelle builds robust frameworks for our dynamic, young university, overseeing our insurance portfolio, consulting on third-party and event risks, and developing critical campus-wide training programs. Michelle has obtained the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) Enterprise Risk Management certificate and the Associate in Risk Management (ARM) and Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS) designations. Her distinct background in mathematics and engineering, combined with extensive higher education leadership, brings an analytical and strategic approach enhancing the institution’s resilience.

Dr. Lily Li is a Professor of Physics at Florida Polytechnic University, where she specializes in materials science, analytical imaging, advanced manufacturing, and biomedical devices. Prior to joining Florida Poly in 2025, she spent 11 years at SUNY Potsdam, where she advanced to Full Professor and developed a 3-2 Engineering dual-degree program with Clarkson University. Her work emphasizes experiential learning and research-driven education to prepare students for careers in STEM fields.