Scholarships

 
The FVMA Executive Committee has developed the scholarship program to provide students who are interested in the public assembly facility management profession an opportunity to learn more about the career in the industry, as well as a chance to network with practitioners in the field to learn of internships and entry-level positions, and also to nurture and grow future leaders in our industry.

To submit a scholarship application, follow the instructions on the application, apply online or mail the completed application to the following address. Make sure you attach any documents indicated as needed per the application.

Kevin Retchless
Scholarship Committee Chairman for FVMA

 
Congratulations to this year's recipients!
College ScholarshipAnnual Conference InternIAVM Venue Connect Conference

Hunter MacKenzie

Elizabeth Ammann & Sarah Reed

Matthew Antonio Collada



$500 FVMA Annual Conference Internship
Purpose: To provide a student who is interested in the public assembly facility management profession and/or a related field an opportunity to learn more about the profession and industry by attending the Annual FVMA Conference.  Also, it will provide the chance to network with practitioners within the field to learn of internship and job opportunities in the State of Florida.

This year's conference will be held June 22-24, 2025 in Jensen Beach, Florida
Deadline to apply is on or before May 15, 2025.
  Scholarship Info

Apply HERE
 

$1000 College Scholarship
Purpose: To provide a scholarship to a graduating high school senior or to a student attending an accredited university, college or community college, undergraduate or graduate school program who is interested in pursuing a career in the public assembly facility management and/or related field. To be a viable candidate your studies should include: Food & Beverage, Audio-Visual, Sports Management, Hospitality, or Engineering, etc.

Deadline to apply is on or before May 15, 2025.

Scholarship Info

Apply HERE

$1000 IAVM VenueConnect Annual Conference & Tradeshow Scholarship
Purpose: To provide a student who is interested in the public assembly facility management profession and/or a  related field an opportunity to learn more about the profession and industry by attending the Annual IAVM VenueConnect Conference & Tradeshow.  Also, it will provide the chance to network with practitioners within the field to learn of internship and job opportunities in the industry.


The conference will be held July xx, 2025 | (tba)
Deadline to apply is on or before May 15, 2025.
Scholarship Info

Apply HERE

FFMA Operations Seminar Scholarship
Purpose: To provide a student who is interested in the public assembly facility management profession and/or a related field an opportunity to learn more about the profession and industry by attending the Annual FVMA Operations Seminar. Also, it will provide the chance to network with practitioners within the field to learn of internship and job opportunities in the State of Florida.

Date: September 2024      
Location: TBD
Deadline to apply is on or before September 1, 2024.
 
Scholarship Info

Closed - Will reopen in August
       

The Barry Strafacci Scholarship
Purpose: To provide an opportunity for an industry professional who is interested in the public assembly facility management profession and/or a related field pick an area to learn more. The individual will choose the class, training or session of their choosing and present it on their application. 

This is an open deadline scholarship. It will be money available when the individual is ready. Simply apply and the Committee will decide! 
APPLY
 
   

A comment from a past recipient of our scholarship.

After working my way up the ranks at the Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center, formerly known as the Stephen C. O’Connell Center,  I knew I stumbled on a potential career path that was fun, challenging and I was good at.   The more involved I became with the building, the more I wanted to know about the industry.  Then in 2006 I was given the opportunity to win the IAVM Venue Connect Scholarship and I won.  Not knowing what that truly meant, I excitedly flew out to San Antonio with my building directors for the conference.  What I saw was hundreds of professionals, who I aspired to become, teaching and sharing industry experiences and concerns to make each of their facilities the best it could be.  Winning the scholarship and taking the trip gave me first hand knowledge of just how large the facility industry is and also gave me the opportunity to make connections with people from all over.  To anyone who has the opportunity to win the IAVM Venue Connect Scholarship, take it and run with it because after attending the conference all I wanted to do was learn more and grow into a leader in the industry.  Since then I have done that and strive to continue that success story.
-  Lavar Smith

Past Scholarship Recipients:
YearCollege ScholarshipIAVM Venue ScholarshipOperations SeminarFFMA Annual Conference
2005Kathlene DaytonKathlene DaytonLori GrahamDavid Lucier
2006Lori GrahamLavar Smith (UF) Charissa Matos (UCF)
2007Dean Easterling, (UCF)Daniel Larson (Brevard Community College) Noelle Nardello (FGCU)
2008Christopher Topping (UF)Daniel Larson (Brevard Community College) Karen Williams (UF)
2009Stephanie JarredCarrey Steusen4 given
 
 
2010Justin Andrew  Casey McClear
2011Michael Rogalsky (UF)Kevin Ang (UCF)5 givenAlexandra Richter (UFPAC)
2012Emmanuel Ortiz (UCF)Andrea Wherry  (UF)0 givenAndrew Echanique  (UF)
2013Marryam Khan (UF)
Andrew  Echanique (UF)
Shari Nahr,
Melissa Williams, Daniela Higuera, Esteban Urrea
Mikala Porcano (FGCU)
2014Christina MillerShane RandallCon Bailey,
David Lynard
Candace Johnson
2015Stavros Triantafyllidis 25 given (not charged)Joshua Hendricks (UF)
2016Kacey MussonZakiya Smith-Dore3 givenShane Cummings (FAU)
2017Yuhua XuJeff Paszternak (Nova SE)(not held)Brendon Clough (UF)
2018Not offeredKayla Ann Bond(not held)Tony Clement (UF)
2019 Daniel Straley (UF)Maria TolzmannKathy Nguyen (UF)Tad Boyette (UF)
 2020  Tommy Soto     (not presented)(not presented)       (not presented)
2021(not presented)(not presented)(not presented)(not presented)
2022Gabriel Martinez(not presented)(not presented)Hunter MacKenzie
2023(not presented)Hunter MacKenzie(not presented)Bailee Robinson
2024Hunter MacKenzieMatthew ColladaTBAElizabeth Ammann
Sarah Reed