Welcome to Gainesville, Phuture Gator Engineers!
This site serves as the information hub for the 2026 Spring Visit program. It is imperative that you review this information thoroughly, check back often for updates, and reach out with any additional questions. Feel free to save and/or print this page along with the Spring Visit schedule.
Detailed Schedule
Hotel Accommodations
Accommodations are arranged for all students at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center Gainesville by the University of Florida Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering. There will be two same-sex students to a room, and roommate requests are accepted with some approvals for guests/visitors at no extra costs (i.e. spouse, significant other, individuals with disabilities). Our program does not provide single students with their own room. All hotel arrangements are authorized by Krista Smith (kristasmith@eng.ufl.edu), Assistant Director for Graduate Recruiting. Students have the option to stay over Saturday night at the Hilton Hotel at no cost, if they desire. Hotel roommate assignments will be distributed approximately 1 week prior to arrival on campus to allow time for communication between roommates. Students may be required to complete a liability waiver form upon check-in. Incidental purchases (e.g., on-site restaurant purchases, room service, etc.) aside from the cost of the room and applicable taxes are not covered by the University of Florida and will be the responsibility of the student. There is an outdoor pool and fitness center at the Hilton which will be available for student use.
Meals
No Name Lounge
For those needing an extra meal during your visit to Gainesville, we will provide all students with a few $20 meal vouchers for use at the No Name Lounge, located inside the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center Gainesville. Vouchers will be distributed during hotel check-in and are valid February 18 – 22, 2026 only.
No Name Lounge Hours of Operation
- Monday – Thursday – 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Friday – Saturday – 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Sunday – 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Closed 3:00 – 4:00 PM each day
Meal Voucher Details & Restrictions
- May be used as $20 towards higher purchase amount
- Cannot be used for purchase of alcohol
- UF is tax free on all purchases
- Tips are included in the voucher amount
- No cash back allowed
- Vouchers may be combined for purchases over $20
- Menus is limited to items listed on voucher
Friday Morning Breakfast
Breakfast Friday morning will be from 7:00 – 9:00 AM in the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom, which is on the second floor. Click here for an interactive map of the Reitz Union.
Transportation from GNV Airport to UF Campus
Round-trip airport shuttles have been arranged from the Gainesville Regional Airport to the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center Gainesville (20 minutes). Shuttles will be provided by Candies Coachworks or G Taxi in Gainesville. Current UF Ph.D. engineering students will be stationed at the airport holding Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering signs to assist you. Our graduate students have your names, flight times, and cell phone numbers. Students arriving before Thursday, February 19th will be picked up by G Taxi at the flight arrival time.
Airport Shuttles for 2/19 Arriving Flights
| Flight Arrival Time | Bus Shuttle Pick-up Time |
|---|---|
| 9:24 AM | 9:24 AM |
| 10:57 AM | 10:57 AM |
| 10:59 AM | 10:57 AM |
| 12:26 PM | 12:26 PM |
| 2:43 PM | 2:43 PM |
| 3:45 PM | 3:45 PM |
| 3:49 PM | 3:45 PM |
| 4:02 PM | 3:45 PM |
| Flight Arrival Time | Taxi Shuttle Pick-up Time |
|---|---|
| 6:13 PM | 6:13 PM |
| 7:20 PM | 7:20 PM |
| 10:34 PM | 10:34 PM |
| 11:00 PM | 11:00 PM |
Transportation between Hilton Hotel and UF Campus
Transportation is provided to and from the Hilton Hotel and the UF campus by either department representatives or Candies Coaches shuttle buses. Please check your individual department schedules for each day to determine which type of transportation you should use.
Shuttle Bus Campus Pick-up & Drop-off Locations
The Candies Coaches shuttle buses will pick up and drop off at two locations only:
- Hilton Hotel
- Gale Lemerand Drive Bus Stop (see map below)
- College of Engineering staff and/or current graduate students will be at the bus stop to direct you
Shuttle Bus Schedule
Transportation from UF Campus to GNV Airport
Airport Shuttles for 2/21 Departing Flights
| Flight Departure Time | Bus Shuttle Pick-up Time |
|---|---|
| 3:07 PM | 1:00 PM |
| 4:15 PM | 2:15 PM |
| 5:30 PM | 3:30 PM |
| 5:45 PM | 3:45 PM |
| Flight Departure Time | Taxi Shuttle Pick-up Time |
|---|---|
| 6:00 AM | 4:00 AM |
| 11:15 AM | 9:15 AM |
| 7:56 PM | 6:00 PM |
Airport Shuttles for 2/22 Departing Flights
| Flight Departure Time | Bus Shuttle Pick-up Time |
|---|---|
| 6:00 AM | 4:00 AM |
| 7:10 AM | 5:10 AM |
| 10:13 AM | 8:13 AM |
| 11:24 AM | 9:24 AM |
| 1:15 PM | 11:15 AM |
| 3:07 PM | 1:07 PM |
| 3:08 PM | 1:07 PM |
| 4:15 PM | 2:15 PM |
| 4:59 PM | 2:59 PM |
| 5:45 PM | 3:45 PM |
| 7:00 PM | 5:00 PM |
Hotel Checkout Information
Hotel check-out times are 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday for late departures. Should you need to store your luggage, please visit the Hilton front desk and they will gladly hold your luggage for you.
Dress Code & Weather
You can expect to see weather forecasts with highs ranging from 65 to 80 degrees and lows from 50 to 60 degrees. Although Florida is the Sunshine State, it can rain at any given time, so make sure you have an umbrella with you. There is no mandatory dress code for most of the weekend. Students wear anything from casual to business casual, especially for events on Friday. Professional attire should be worn if/when you have an interview with your department. Don’t forget to bring comfortable shoes for social events, tours, and the Saturday morning run on campus.
Detailed Schedule
The full schedule of College of Engineering organized events is below. Department graduate staff will distribute itineraries for their events.
Meals
No Name Lounge
All UF students participating in the Spring Visit will receive two $20 vouchers for use at the No Name Lounge, located inside the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center Gainesville. Department graduate staff will distribute these vouchers to UF students.
Friday Morning Breakfast
All UF students participating in the Spring Visit are welcome to join the Friday morning breakfast in the Grand Ballroom of the Reitz Union from 7:00 – 9:00 AM.
Info Packets, Snack Bags, Name Badges
All UF students participating in the Spring Visit will receive the same info packets, snack bags, and name badges as visiting students receive at the hotel. Department graduate staff will distribute these items.
Contacts
Mike Nazareth
Director for Graduate Recruiting and Undergraduate Research
mikenaz@eng.ufl.edu
Cell: 734-846-2475
Office: 352-294-7914
Krista Smith
Assistant Director of Graduate Recruiting and Undergraduate Research
kristasmith@eng.ufl.edu
Cell: 217-493-1985
Office: 352-294-7915
Department graduate staff oversee all schedules for individual engineering department programs.