Year after year, the exhibitors who display their products and services at NRPA Congress outdo themselves, and 2014’s show floor once again exceeded attendees’ expectations. With almost 400 companies spread across the exhibit hall, attendees had plenty to see and do, and the high level of traffic on the floor was a testament to the attendees’ interest in the exhibitors’ offerings. The NRPA annual conference’s show floor is the most extensive place for park and recreation professionals to learn about and experience new possibilities for their communities, and with 91.3 percent of this year’s surveyed attendees noting that they play a role in the purchasing process for their agency, this popular component of the conference is an invaluable resource for park and recreation departments looking to renew or expand their offerings.
As they did in Houston in 2013, exhibitors in Charlotte put their best foot forward as they vied for the coveted Best in Show prize, awarded to the most engaging and innovative booths on the floor. After all the votes were in, Playcraft Systems took home the first-place blue ribbon for an island booth thanks to their popular pirate ship playground complete with costumed staffers and pirate hat giveaways. Themed Concepts, whose display featured an enormous dragon, won the runner-up red ribbon for an island booth. DOGIPOT’s booth, which caught passers-by off guard with its realistic canine “deposits” scattered around, took home the first-place blue ribbon for an in-line booth, and Masters of the Hunt, a company that specializes in creating scavenger and treasure hunts for team building and promotions, was awarded runner-up for an in-line booth.
New to the show floor this year were the Glass Room Sessions, Learning Labs and Learning Playground, which offered attendees opportunities to dive into complex topics, engage with their colleagues, and learn in new and interactive ways right on the show floor. The casual Tailgate Party on Tuesday afternoon also gave attendees an additional chance to explore the floor and gather ideas while networking with colleagues and industry members alike.
Exhibitors expressed high levels of satisfaction with the turnout at this year’s show, and more than 150 exhibitors have already booked their spots for the 2015 NRPA conference in Las Vegas, which is already generating a lot of excitement. If you’re looking for the best new equipment, services or ideas for your agency, NRPA’s show floor is a resource you can’t miss.
Danielle Taylor is the Executive Editor of Parks & Recreation Magazine.