NRPA Annual Conference 2018, Parks and Recreation Conference | Indianapolis, Indiana

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The 2018 NRPA Annual Conference, the biggest professional development event for the field, is coming to Indianapolis September 25-27. Register soon to get the best price.

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Keynote Speakers

The 2018 NRPA Annual Conference Keynote speakers will inspire you to continue to make your communities great places to live.

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NRPA Annual Conference Schedule

Browse the 2018 NRPA Annual Conference Schedule at a Glance.

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Director's Corner Education Sessions

These sessions are intended to attract directors and upper-level professionals to discuss cutting-edge issues and topics with their peers.

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Workshops, Off-Site Institutes and Training

Get certified, learn about accreditation, explore Indianapolis and more!

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What's New and Exciting?

This year we have some exciting features that will inspire even the most experienced conference veteran.

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Conference App

NRPA continues to embrace new technologies and green practices through our mobile app, sleek pocket guide and exhibit hall guide.

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Showcase Your Brand

NRPA has great sponsorship opportunities for companies looking to extend their brand within and beyond the NRPA Annual Conference.

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Exhibit Space Available

Share your product or service with thousands of qualified leads.

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Session Highlights

We know our end game should be focused on providing exceptional experiences to communities of people and the effort we put in to get there must include thoughtful preparation and planning, smart management and decision making, and elevated performance standards.

Listening to the Land: Using Natural Resources to Guide Park Development

Speakers: Chris Matthews

This session will outline a process that may assist agencies in making good decisions on park development based on natural plant communities, topography, hydrography and other natural features.

When Disaster Strikes: Making Your Agency Shine During the Storm

Speakers: Cheryl Michelet

When disaster strikes how can park and recreation agencies get their stories in the media? Learn how BREC's Communications team communicated the story to the Baton Rouge community during and after the Flood of 2016, using social media, daily news releases, web updates and internal messages.

From Orientation to Onboarding: Making the Most of the First 90 Days

Speakers: Kirsten Barnes

Getting new talent started in their job as quickly as possible is important for the health of your business. By creating a welcoming environment, building cultural buy-in, and sharing tribal knowledge, you not only improve the chances of new hire success but create loyalty and have a little fun!

Are you a Rockstar or a Cover Band? – The Choice is Yours

Speakers: Tim Moloney, Wade Walcutt

In this fast paced and highly participatory session, attendees will hear how they can avoid the pitfalls of not setting yourself apart. While "vision" and "risk taking" are commonly used terms, this session will provide real life strategies and techniques, along with humorous examples, to implement these skills.

Partnering with Land Trusts

Speakers: Rob Aldrich, Kristina Ortez, Michele White

Learn about the valuable role that land trusts can play in helping to meet park equity goals. Taos Land Trust will share lessons learned from their effort to create a new community park that will provide opportunities for cultural education and recreation, restore a critical floodplain property, and bring together diverse populations.

The Legacy of Fred

Speakers: Layla George, Tim Fulton, Seve Ghose

Frederick Law Olmsted was critical in the development of both municipal and national parks in America. Working with the Olmsted Parks Conservancy, much work has been done to restore, enhance, and revitalize Louisville parks. Learn about challenges to this process, and what the future holds for these parks.

Being Successful in a Politically Charged Environment

Speakers: Paul Romero

This session focuses on the "what" and "why" of the political process. But, truly the road to success is based on "who" is involved in the process and the power they bring to the "table". Knowing the political process is critical; making change is vital to leadership and success.

Leading vs. Managing: Teambuilding on a $25 Budget

Speakers: Tiffany Johnson, Dietrich Williams

This session will present low-cost training, portable team building activities, virtual team building and a humorous training game for use in your organization. Effective team building means more engaged employees.

Parks & Recreation Magazine

Indianapolis Here We Come!

By Paula Jacoby-Garrett
We are excited to take the NRPA Annual Conference to Indianapolis! The city is chock-full of things to do, see some of the highlights.

NRPA Open Space Blog

Making the Most of Your NRPA Annual Conference Experience

By Katherine Stokke
Find out what one conference attendee does to stymie the post-conference letdown.

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NRPA Annual Conference:September 25-27 | Indianapolis, IN

Conference Registration is Open!

September 25-27, 2018 at the Indiana Convention Center

Explore the 200+ Education Sessions Covering 12 Custom Tracks

Build Your Brand. Become a 2018 Sponsor.

This September 25-27, 8,000 park and recreation professionals will converge upon Indianapolis for energetic networking activities, inspirational education sessions and an inside look at the latest products for the field at the 2018 NRPA Annual Conference.

Register Now

Keynote Speakers

NRPA Annual Conference Schedule

Director's Corner Education Sessions

Workshops, Off-Site Institutes and Training

What's New and Exciting?

Conference App

Showcase Your Brand

Exhibit Space Available

Elevate Your Game

Listening to the Land: Using Natural Resources to Guide Park Development

When Disaster Strikes: Making Your Agency Shine During the Storm

From Orientation to Onboarding: Making the Most of the First 90 Days

Are you a Rockstar or a Cover Band? – The Choice is Yours

Partnering with Land Trusts

The Legacy of Fred

Being Successful in a Politically Charged Environment

Leading vs. Managing: Teambuilding on a $25 Budget

Sponsors