Event Description: The Higher Education Partnership is hosting its annual STARS Leadership & University Advocates Conference (SLUAC). The conference will be held at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa in Destin, Florida. Planned by the Higher Education Partnership and funded through the Higher Education Partnership Foundation, the conference provides student leaders hands-on training so they are prepared to become Alabama’s future statesmen. The program features engaging activities and seminars on leadership led by well-known speakers. University faculty, staff, alumni and other friends are also asked to attend to learn of key issues facing higher education. The training and awareness of the attendees is built around the theme of “Universities: Stories of Success.” Participants are given the opportunity to hear from panels of state policy-makers, corporate leaders, elected officials and motivational speakers. The conference provides an educational experience which energizes the participants to identify and pursue goals for making Alabama the best it can be. The legislative participants and the other key speakers share insight on a variety of topics ranging from budgets to economic development to “telling the story.” The participants receive information and deliver specific feedback on a variety of topics. The specific topics can include but are not limited to the Future of the Education Trust Fund, Understanding Alabama’s Educational Challenges, Major Concerns Facing the State and Opportunities for Improving Alabama’s Economic Outlook. These topics are addressed by both legislative, academic and private sector leaders. Legislators are invited to participate in both panel discussions and the breakout sessions in smaller groups across the spectrum. These groups include a mixture of faculty, staff, administrators, alumni and private sector. Legislators typically are listeners and learners during the remaining aspects of the program. Throughout the conference, participants are challenged by the speakers to utilize the knowledge they attain. The participants will be asked to organize service projects and to plan days for future learning about advocacy on their campuses. Likewise, they will work in conjunction with other participants to learn to tell their story so people in the state will appreciate the value of higher education in bettering their lives. There should be no discussion of specific legislative proposals or any intent to garner support for specific bills. Depending on the schedule and the activities that are included as a part of the program, there could be some programming that is attached to a meal. Meals include a Thursday breakfast and lunch and a Friday breakfast. Most legislators will only stay and participate for a maximum of two nights due to their schedules. Occasionally, a legislator will stay for the entire program. *Only thing provided is on-site meal functions and two nights lodging. *Provide list of public official/employee invitees.