External Engagement Request - Florida SBDC at FGCU

External Speaking & Third-Party Engagement Disclosure and Approval Form

This form is required for all SBDC at FGCU employees, contractors, and consultants seeking approval to participate in externally hosted events, speaking engagements, workshops, panels, or similar activities occurring outside direct SBDC programming that relate to an employee’s professional expertise or consulting activities, or where the employee’s SBDC or FGCU affiliation could reasonably be associated with the event, and which may intersect with employee duties or create real or perceived conflicts of interest.

SECTION 1 — Employee Information

Employee Name:(Required)

First Last

Title/Role:(Required)

Employment Type:(Required)

Full-Time

OPS/Contract

Other

Supervisor(Required)

Date Submitted (Today's Date):(Required)

SECTION 2 — Event Information

Has participation in this engagement already been confirmed or promoted prior to submission of this form?(Required)

No — approval is being requested prior to commitment or promotion

Yes — participation has already been confirmed or promoted

Explain why approval was not requested prior to confirmation or promotion:(Required)

Event Title:(Required)

Hosting Organization:(Required)

Event Website:(Required)

Event Location(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Event Date:(Required)

Event Time:(Required)

Hour

Event Time:(Required)

Minute (approximate)

Event Time:(Required)

AM/PM

Is this a Paid Admission Event?(Required)

Yes

Ticket Cost or Admission Structure:(Required)

Event Sponsors (add list if necessary—write NONE if applicable)(Required)

Attach Sponsor Files (if applicable):

Drop files here or

Max. file size: 64 MB.

SECTION 3 — Role in Event

Consultant Role (check all that apply):(Required)

Speaker

Panelist

Workshop Instructor

Moderator

Exhibitor

Consultant Representative

SBDC Representative

FGCU Representative

Other

Will you be presented and/or advertised using your SBDC/FGCU title?(Required)

Yes

Will you also be presented under any private company affiliation?(Required)

Yes

If YES to the previous question, please explain in detail:(Required)

Have you reviewed and approved how your name, title, and SBDC/FGCU affiliation will appear in all promotional materials?(Required)

Yes, materials reviewed and approved

Not yet available. (I agree approval is required prior to promotion)

SECTION 4 — Compensation & Benefits

This section applies to professional engagements related to an employee’s consulting expertise, subject matter areas, or activities where the employee’s professional role or affiliation may reasonably be associated with SBDC or FGCU. Purely personal activities unrelated to professional expertise are not subject to this disclosure.(Required)

Yes, compensation or benefit will be received

No compensation or benefit of any kind will be received

Describe compensation:(Required)

Will travel, lodging, or expenses be reimbursed by event host?(Required)

Yes

SECTION 5 — Work Hours Compliance

Does this event occur during normal business hours?(Required)

Yes

If YES:(Required)

PTO/Leave will be used

OPS/Contract staff not paid by SBDC at time of event

Alternative arrangement approved by supervisor

Full-time employees may not participate in compensated third-party engagements during paid SBDC working hours without formal leadership approval.

SECTION 6 — Conflict of Interest Disclosure

Do you or an immediate family member have any ownership, employment, advisory role, or financial interest connected to this event or the subject matter being presented by the Hosting Organization?(Required)

Yes

If YES, explain in detail:(Required)

Do you or an immediate family member have any ownership, employment, advisory role, or financial interest connected to this event or the subject matter being presented by the Sponsoring Organization(s)?(Required)

Yes

If YES, explain in detail:(Required)

Do you or an immediate family member have any ownership, employment, advisory role, or financial interest connected to this event or the subject matter being presented by the Companies Being Promoted or Discussed?(Required)

Yes

If YES, explain in detail:(Required)

Do you or an immediate family member have any ownership, employment, advisory role, or financial interest connected to this event or the subject matter being presented by any Other Entities Associated with this Event:(Required)

Yes

If YES, explain in detail:(Required)

SECTION 7 — Compliance Acknowledgements

Employee must read, agree to, and check each item:(Required)

___ I understand participation must not interfere with SBDC duties.

___ I will not use SBDC position, title, or affiliation to further private business interests.

___ I will not endorse or promote any private company, brand, or individual while representing SBDC.

___ I will not solicit private business from SBDC clients.

___ I will not use SBDC facilities, staff, data, or resources for outside engagements.

___ I acknowledge it is my responsibility to ensure promotional materials use my name, title, and affiliation appropriately.

___ I will notify Marketing and Leadership if promotional materials change.

___ I acknowledge omissions or false disclosures may constitute policy violations.

Review Choices Carefully

SECTION 8 — Branding & Marketing Review

Has this engagement been shared with SBDC Marketing for review of branding, protocol, and coordination requirements prior to confirmation or promotion?(Required)

Yes — Marketing has been notified and review is complete or in progress

Pending — I understand Marketing notification is required prior to confirmation or promotion

Has SBDC Marketing reviewed promotional materials?(Required)

Yes

Pending

If NO, Marketing approval required prior to participation and publication.

Will SBDC logo appear?(Required)

Yes

If YES, Marketing approval required prior to participation and publication.

SECTION 9 — Eligibility for SBDC Promotion

For SBDC channels to advertise or support this event, all must apply:(Required)

Event aligns with SBDC mission

No private business promotion involved

No endorsement conflicts exist

Leadership approves outreach value

SBDC and FGCU Branding standards followed

If any criteria are unmet, event may not be promoted through SBDC channels.

External Speaking & Third-Party Engagement Disclosure and Approval Form

SECTION 1 — Employee Information

SECTION 2 — Event Information

SECTION 3 — Role in Event

SECTION 4 — Compensation & Benefits

SECTION 5 — Work Hours Compliance

SECTION 6 — Conflict of Interest Disclosure

SECTION 7 — Compliance Acknowledgements

SECTION 8 — Branding & Marketing Review

SECTION 9 — Eligibility for SBDC Promotion

SECTION 10 — Employee Certification