Leadership Florida - La Florida Society Trip to North Carolina

Join us for home tours, dinners, and more!

Join fellow Leadership Florida members and guests for fabulous “but for Leadership Florida” dinners and tours of beautiful member homes in North Carolina! Enjoy a long weekend in the cool mountains in North Carolina’s most idyllic mountain plateau communities while participating in activities of your choice. A suggested activity list of hiking, shopping, golfing, boating, and other activities will be provided. 

Leadership Florida members and their family members or significant others are welcome to attend.  Registration is $100 per person; children aged 12-17 are $50; children 11 and under are free.  Registration includes three dinners and desserts in Leadership Florida members’ homes, plus an afternoon Open House Tour of a member's home.

While we are together, we will discuss topics like Leadership Florida trips, benefits for Lifetime Members, and more. You will also learn about ways you can support the future of Leadership Florida, including the La Florida Society. We would love to hear your ideas, too!

Agenda

Thursday, September 7

5:30 pm - Dinner at the home of Mike Hightower (Cornerstone Class 24) and Sue Hightower in Highlands

Visit this amazing home and grounds designed by the Hightowers and local landscape architects with trails, streams, bridges, and wildlife all surrounding their custom home, as well as a special “tree house” that you will absolutely want to visit.  Sue and Mike have developed this mountain retreat that truly makes you feel right at home in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina.

Friday, September 8

Free time to enjoy the area- see activity list

Possible Croquet clinic followed by Croquet tournament- no experience required!

6:00 pm - Dinner at the home of Ron Christaldi (Cornerstone Class 36) in Sapphire, NC

Purchased in 2020, this large 6-bedroom retreat on top of a mountain boasts large entertaining areas and views for miles.  Ron has put his own special touch inside and out since his purchase, making this a wonderful place to welcome guests.

Saturday, September 9

Free time to enjoy the area

6:30 pm- Closing Celebration and Dinner at the home of Wendy Spencer (Cornerstone Class 24) and Ron Spencer, Highlands

The Spencers fully renovated this home after purchasing it in 2017.  This home was originally built in 1966 and designed by famous local architect Jim Fox who has designed quality homes for many years in the Highlands/Cashiers region.  It is located on the very top of one of the world’s oldest mountains, called Whiteside Mountain.  This home’s large entertaining areas both inside and out have expansive views of five mountain ranges all the way to Tennessee.  As soon as you walk in, you will be immediately driven to the large, covered porch to take in the views.

Sunday, September 10

Depart or stay in the area to continue to enjoy the cool mountain air!

Below is a list of suggested places to stay.  Please make reservations as soon as possible as the Highlands/Cashiers, NC area is one of the most desired vacation spots in the mountains of the Carolinas.

HIGHLANDS

• Fire Mountain Inn
• The Park on Main Hotel (only have 7 rooms left)
• Highlands Inn (30 rooms available)
• The Inn at Mill Creek (only 3 rooms left)

CASHIERS

• High Hampton Resort
• Hampton Inn and Suites Cashiers-Sapphire Valley
• Quality Inn

You can also research private homes at www.vrbo.com and www.airbnb.com.

Things To Do in the Area

Great shopping and antiquing, hiking, golfing, birding, zip-lining, micro-breweries, boating on Lake Glenville, dining in great restaurants, and just enjoying the cool weather!

Cancellation policy: You must cancel by August 1 to receive a full refund of your registration fee. Please contact us if you have any further questions about our cancellation policy.