Bringing the Southeast Together: Highlights from the First-Ever Southeast Regional Surfrider Conference in Charleston
Earlier this May, the Surfrider Foundation made history with its first-ever Southeast-specific Chapter and Club Conference, hosted in the vibrant coastal city of Charleston, SC. This milestone event brought together 42 passionate ocean advocates for a weekend packed with learning, inspiration, and connection.
Surfrider has long hosted regional conferences for volunteers to come together to learn from each other and Surfrider staff. The Southeast Region has partnered with other regions in the past, and we're very excited that they got their own conference this year! This allowed for more region-specific collaboration and learning opportunities. Designed to deepen collaboration across chapters and clubs, the conference was a powerful convergence of Surfrider leaders and supporters from across the region, which spans from Virginia to Georgia. It also brought in Student Club regions from schools like UNC-Wilminton and University of Virginia. The event proved there’s strong momentum behind our shared mission to protect the world’s ocean, waves, and beaches.
Volunteers got to hear from our CEO, Dr. Chad Nelsen, who cast a bold vision for the organization's future. They also practiced volunteer recruitment strategies, their Ocean Friendly Restaurant pitch, and learned about bringing the new Climate Action Program to the Southeast.
The conference wasn’t just about panels—it was about people. Volunteers were able to explore Charleston, learn from the local Chapter, visit an Ocean Friendly Restaurant and hear from their chef about the importance of sustainability (shoutout to you, Little Palm!), and spend time at the beach to remember the reason we're all coming together - protection and enjoyment of the ocean.
What’s Next?
The Southeast Chapter and Club Conference proved that when we come together, we grow stronger. We’re already looking forward to building on this success, strengthening regional collaboration, and continuing the fight for a healthier, more protected coast.
Stay tuned for updates on future events—and thank you to everyone who helped make this one unforgettable.