by Mercedes (Mercy) Prieto (FL, ret.) and Mary Beth Kuenzel (FL)
NCACC is headed to Tampa, Florida, in 2027! And while we’re planning a great annual meeting, we hope you’ll think bigger than the conference itself.
Tampa is a perfect starting point for exploring Central Florida and the Gulf Coast. Whether your interests include art, architecture, history, nature, theme parks, or simply relaxing on a beautiful beach, there’s something for everyone within easy reach. Come early. Stay late. Bring the family. Turn your trip to NCACC into a Florida adventure!
Head east to Lakeland, where Florida Southern College is home to the largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in the world. A little farther along, discover the beauty of Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, with its lush landscapes and magnificent singing tower. Art lovers may want to venture to Winter Park to visit the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, home to an extraordinary collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany.
Photo Attribution: By Milesb1217 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=95613388
Keep going and you’ll reach theme park central! LEGOLAND Florida Resort in Winter Haven is a favorite for families with younger children. In the Orlando area, take your pick of Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and other parks, or explore Universal Orlando’s attractions, including the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. You could easily spend several extra days enjoying the magic.
Photo Attribution: By Nathan Forget – Legoland Florida 1, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=78786659
Travel a little farther south to Sarasota, where the Ringling estate offers a remarkable combination of art, circus history, and architecture. Explore the Museum of Art, the fascinating Circus Museum, and Ca’ d’Zan, the magnificent waterfront home of John and Mable Ringling. Nature lovers won’t want to miss Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. Continue south to Fort Myers, where the Edison and Ford Winter Estates offer a glimpse into the lives of two American innovators, complete with historic homes, a research laboratory, inventions, and beautiful gardens.
Looking for a different kind of Florida adventure? Head north to Crystal River and Three Sisters Springs, known for their crystal-clear waters and manatee gatherings. Nearby Weeki Wachee Springs offers natural beauty, kayaking, and its famous live mermaid performances—a Florida tradition unlike any other.
And the best part? Tampa will give you an experience worth remembering. We’ll share more about Tampa and the annual meeting in upcoming issues of The Docket. In the meantime, start thinking about all the possibilities.
When you save the dates for NCACC 2027, save a little extra time for Florida, too.