In 1899, J.S. Lawrence bought Long Island in South Carolina and renamed it Isle of Palms.
Those living in Charleston had realized the Isle of Palms with its six-miles of beach could be a respite from the heat and bustle of the city. So, by 1905 the first 50-room resort hotel was built.
Over the years, the island’s popularity grew. Then in 1975, one of the major developers of Hilton Head Island built The Isle of Palms Beach and Racquet Club. Finally in 1984, it was renamed The Wild Dunes Beach and Racquet Club and today is simply called Wild Dunes.
But the best part? This is the location of the 2026 Campus Rec Leadership Summit.
About 20 minutes from downtown Charleston, Wild Dunes on the Isle of Palms provides the perfect place for professionals of this industry to network and have industry-changing discussions.
Some of the resort’s 1,600 acres of amenities include:
- Two Tom Farzio designed golf courses
- World ranked tennis and pickleball
- 2.5 miles of coastline and beaches
- 12 different food and drink experiences
Sixty campus rec leaders from around the U.S. alongside the event’s sponsors will gather from June 8-10, 2026, at this resort. During the event, they will find themselves:
- Participating in roundtables on the hottest topics for today’s leaders in the industry.
- Connecting with sponsors and how their services push forward campus recreation as a whole.
- Networking with peers at meals and socials, bringing about growth, positive impact and innovation for all involved.
“I’ve attended many different conferences throughout my career and will have to say that the Campus Rec Leadership Summit is at the top of my list,” said Justin Jett, the director of Rec/IM at Eastern Michigan University. “It was the perfect blend of networking, discussing relevant topics, vendor interaction/education and socializing with our peers from across the country. I would strongly recommend the Summit to seasoned professionals who are looking to network, learn and engage in rich conversations with peers and vendors while enjoying the scenery of some spectacular locations.”
Even better is the fact it’s an event for attendees and sponsors alike. “The Campus Rec Summit is a standout event for industry partners,” said Brittany Barrett, director of Sales — Recreation at PLAE, one of the 2025 Summit sponsors. “The format fosters meaningful one-on-one conversations with decision-makers in a way that feels personal and productive, not transactional. It’s rare to find an event so intentionally designed for connection. We left with real insights into the needs and goals of campus recreation professionals. This better equips us to support their communities.”
The 2026 Summit is a can’t miss event. Will you be there?
Interested in attending? Email heather@peakemedia.com before spots run out. Interested in sponsoring? Email rico@peakemedia.com — limited sponsorships remain.
