Page 9 - FDCC Flyer Winter 2023

Looking Forward
restaurants and a bazaar featuring local vendors.
The afternoon of Eternal Sunshine will transition into evening,
during which you can explore St. Petersburg’s top-tier restaurant scene. A short walk from the Vinoy will take you past several top-tier restaurants. After dinner, bond with your friends while you sip
an aperitif at a cocktail lounge or
sample a cigar at a cigar bar – all within easy walking distance of the Vinoy.
Try not to stay up all night, though, because on Wednesday, we have an excellent program planned. It kicks off with a Masters in Mediation presentation, followed by two tracks. For our in-house members, the final corporate panel discussion will address how to deal with crises at your companies. For our defense counsel, the Trial Masters panel will address how to deal with crises at trial.
After Wednesday’s program, spend the afternoon “Chasing the Sun.” Within easy walking distance of
the Vinoy, you can hop on a boat and follow dolphins across the
bay on a dolphin tour. If you’ve
got the need for speed, you can hop on a speedboat adventure.
The St. Petersburg Beach will be a chartered bus ride away, where you jet-ski, scuba dive, parasail, or just enjoy the sun.
But if you really want to get into the Florida spirit, nothing could
be more Florida than the very first FDCC Shuffleboard Tournament and Picnic at the St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club. The St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club is the oldest and largest shuffleboard club in the world, and we have rented courts for a tournament (including lessons). Wednesday afternoon, we’ll have lunch, including beer and wine, and you’ll be playing on the very courts where the State Open Shuffleboard Tournament will
have just concluded. It will be like playing golf at Augusta National, but rowdier.
Wednesday evening, it will again be time to meet your friends and
bond . . . James Bond. By popular demand, the FDCC is hosting Casino Vinoy -- a James Bond- themed casino event. Black tie is NOT required or even suggested; although if you felt compelled to don a tuxedo and pose in front of our Bond décor, who could blame you? After your photo op, stop by our craps tables – or, if you have no time to dice, play roulette, poker, and other games. A live band will provide some exotic ambiance, and you can exchange your chips for prizes throughout the evening.
Getting to the Winter Meeting will be easy. From 72 American cities and 81 cities worldwide, you can fly direct to Tampa International Airport – the Best Large Airport
in the country according to both Forbes and J.D. Power. From there, the Vinoy is only a 30-minute ride away.
Our rooms are going fast, so register before it’s too late. And get ready for the Winter Meeting by following our official FDCC St. Petersburg Facebook page, Instagram, or TikTok.
The weather may be getting chilly, but soon enough, you’ll be walking in the Florida sun. See you in St. Petersburg!
Sean Griffin is a partner in the Washington D. C. office of Robinson & Cole LLP. Sean is the convention chair for the FDCC Winter Meeting and a member of the FDCC Board of Directors. Sean may be reached at sgriffin@rc.com.
Frank Ramos is a partner is the Miami office of Clarke Silvergate P. A. Frank is
the program chair for the FDCC Winter Meeting and a member of the FDCC Board of Directors. Frank may be reached at framos@cspalwaw.com
www.thefederation.org
winter | federation flyer 6