• Program Schedule

    Houston Convention Center Lake ViewThe 48th annual National Recreation and Park Association Congress and Exhibition will provide hundreds of education and learning opportunities through educational tracks specifically tailored to parks and recreation. Make plans to choose a track that best suits your needs, or participate across educational tracks for a well-rounded experience.

    This year a team of park and recreation professionals, from around the country worked numerous hours reading, reviewing, and selecting the best educational sessions. NRPA works hard to acquire speakers from across our nation on parks and recreation's hottest topics.


    Congress & Expo Schedule at a Glance


    Sunday, October 6, 2013

    • TBD - Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT)
    • 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. - Certified Playground Safety Inspector Course (Day 1)
    • 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. - Off-Site Institutes
    • 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. - Aquatic Facility Operator Course and Exam (Day 1)
    • 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. - Registration

    Monday, October 7, 2013

    • TBD - Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT)
    • TBD - Council for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA)
    • 7:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. - Registration
    • 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. - Certified Playground Safety Inspector Course (Day 2)
    • 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. - Pre-Conference Workshops
    • 8:15 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. - Off-Site Institutes
    • 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. - Aquatic Facility Operator Course and Exam (Day 2)
    • 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. - Golf Tournament - Memorial Park Golf Course
    • 8 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. - Gold Medal Reception (By Invitation Only) - Hilton Americas Houston

    Tuesday, October 8, 2013

    • 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. - Registration
    • 7:45 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. - Young Professional Meet n' Greet Breakfast - Hilton Americas Houston
    • 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. - Opening General Session
    • 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. - Exhibit Hall Open (Exclusive Hours 10:30am-1:00pm)
    • 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. - Education Sessions
    • 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. - Opening Reception - Houston Museum of Natural Science

    Wednesday, October 9, 2013

    • 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. - Registration
    • 8 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. - Education Sessions
    • 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. - Speed Sessions
    • 10:45 a.m. – 12 p.m. - Education Sessions
    • 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. - Exhibit Hall Open (Exclusive Hours 12:00-3:00pm)
    • 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. - Education Sessions
    • 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. - LRS: Poster Session - Hilton Americas Houston
    • 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. - Park & Recreation Student Quiz Bowl - Hilton Americas Houston
    • 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. - Best of the Best Ceremony - Hilton Americas Houston

    Thursday, October 10, 2013

    • 7 a.m. – 9 a.m. - 5K Fun Run/Walk - Hermann Park
    • 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. - Registration
    • 8 a.m. - 5:15 p.m. - Off-Site Institutes
    • 8 a.m. - 5:15 p.m. - Education Sessions
    • 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. - Parks Build Community Project: Shady Lane Park Dedication
    • 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. - Ethnic Minority Society Luncheon
    • 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. - Closing Party - Hyatt Regency Houston