The 2025 TRAPS Institute & Expo is just around the corner! Taking place this year from Monday, February 24 to Friday, February 28 in Allen, Texas, our team cannot wait to connect in person with the many incredible parks and rec professionals who will be in attendance.
If you’ll be there too, you know that there’s lots planned for the multi-day conference, including many educational workshops and sessions. To help you plan your time at this year’s event with ease, our team has combed through the available sessions and picked out our top favorites.
Read on to discover the 25 must-attend sessions for the 2025 TRAPS Institute & Expo!
2025 TRAPS Pre-Institute: Tuesday, February 25
1. Entry Level Leadership
Topic: Leadership and Development
Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Speaker: Calie Willis, Chief of Strategic Relationships, City of Coppell
2025 TRAPS Pre-Institute: Wednesday, February 26
2. Maintenance Morning - The Bridge Between Park Planning and Maintenance: Real-World Solutions
Topic: Parks and Recreation Planning
Time: 8:30 AM – 10:15 AM
Speakers: Ziad Kharrat, Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation, City of Denton; Marshall McGee, Parks Manager, City of Denton
2025 TRAPS Sessions: Wednesday, February 26
3. Advocacy in Action: Empowering Legislative Efforts of Young Professionals
Topic: Leadership and Development
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Speaker: Jeff Achee, Assistant Director, Pflugerville Parks and Recreation
4. Teen Leadership Blueprint: Building Tomorrow's Leaders Today
Topic: Leadership and Development
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Speaker: Cassie Paddock, Recreation Manager, City of Schertz
5. Innovation Is Invitation: Designing for ADHD, Auditory and Visual Disabilities, and More
Topic: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Speaker: Jill Moore, Inclusive Play Specialist, Landscape Structures
6. Pump Room 101
Topic: Aquatics Programming
Time: 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Speakers: Emily Marecle, Aquatic Supervisor, City of Grapevine; Kurt Hardin, Assistant Parks Manager, City of Grapevine
7. It's Not What You Say, It's How You Say It
Topic: Parks and Recreation Design
Time: 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Speaker: Matt Kaser, Principal, Kaser Design
8. Maintaining Public Spaces with Contractors: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Topic: Parks and Recreation Partnerships
Time: 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Speakers: Deborah Branch, District Superintendent, City of Fort Worth; Chris Swindle, Senior Contract Compliance Specialist, City of Fort Worth
9. #NoMoreBoringMeetings
Topic: Internal Communications
Time: 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM
Speaker: Shannon Coates, Director of Play, Frisco
10. Emergency Action Plan for Senior Recreation & Aquatic Facilities
Topic: Senior Programming
Time: 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM
Speakers: Courtney Davis, Assistant Senior Recreation Center Supervisor, City of McKinney; Samantha Williams, Assistant Aquatics Supervisor, City of McKinney
11. Let's Grow Together - Creating a Vibrant Community Garden
Topic: Community Engagement
Time: 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM
Speakers: Jason Ross, Parks Superintendent, City of Pasadena; Jed Aplaca, Director of Parks & Recreation, City of Pasadena
12. Beyond the Dial Tone: Why Community Members Still Resist Online Registration
Topic: Program Registration
Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Speaker: (Our very own!) Datis Mohsenipour, VP of Marketing, Xplor Recreation
13. Safe Space Play Space: Inclusive Recreation Stories
Topic: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Speakers: Brian Vasquez, Senior Landscape Architect, Halff; Mary Hemenes, Recreation Manager, City of Round Rock
2025 TRAPS Sessions: Thursday, February 27
14. Marketing Power-Ups: Super Mario Style
Topic: Marketing and Communication
Time: 9:45 AM – 10:45 AM
Speakers: Jenna Gilbreath, Strategic Marketing Manager - Public and Media Relations Office, City of Allen; Dana Ball, Marketing Manager - Public and Media Relations Office, City of Allen
15. This Girl Is on Fire
Topic: Leadership and Development
Time: 9:45 AM – 10:45 AM
Speaker: Lauren Shrum, Director of Parks, Recreation, and Community Services, City of Schertz
16. Synthetic Turf Fields - Are They Really Easier to Care for Than Grass?
Topic: Facility Management
Time: 9:45 AM – 10:45 AM
Speakers: Morgan Skidmore, Park Manager, Travis County Parks; Juan Zamora, Park Supervisor, Travis County Parks
17. Managing the Fun: Inclusive Staffing for Parks and Recreation Programs (Part 1)
Topic: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Time: 9:45 AM – 10:45 AM
Speaker: Jana Burke, President, Mariposa Professional Services
18. Managing the Fun: Inclusive Staffing for Parks and Recreation Programs (Part 2)
Topic: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Speaker: Jana Burke, President, Mariposa Professional Services
19. Talking Next Practices with the Next Practitioners
Topic: Leadership and Development
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Speaker: Neelay Bhatt, Founder & CEO, Next Practice Partners
20. Building a Mental Health Toolkit for a Healthy Workplace
Topic: Health and Wellness
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Speaker: Sheri Willis, Clinical Social Worker & Consultant
21. Unlocking Gen Z Potential: Recruiting Rebels and Retaining Rockstars
Topic: Leadership and Development
Time: 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Speaker: Brandon Jones, Parks and Recreation Aquatics Professional
22. Yes Man Says No: Embracing Diversity of Thought in Your Organization
Topic: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Time: 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Speaker: Dr. Willette Middleton, Recreation Operation Supervisor, City of West University Place
23. Creating Park Stewards Through Sustainability Programming
Topic: Sustainability
Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Speakers: Frances McGee, Senior Environmental Coordinator, Dallas Parks and Recreation; Juan Casas, Division Engagement Coordinator, Dallas Parks and Recreation
24. Volunteer Engagement 101
Topic: Community Engagement
Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Speakers: Corina Sadler, Volunteer Resources Manager, City of Plano; Morgan Green-Griffin, Volunteer Resources Coordinator, City of Plano
25. Host Aquatic Events at Your Facility
Topic: Aquatics Programming
Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Speaker: Brittany Kartchner, Aquatic Center Coordinator, City of Irving
Don’t Forget to Stop by Booth #200!
We hope you have a fantastic time at the event and leave with valuable insights and ideas to put into practice at your agency!
While at the conference, be sure to come visit the Xplor Recreation team at Booth #200! Other than the incredible conversation and chance to say hello to our team, here are a few reasons to stop by:
🎁 Enter in a draw to win a free iPad Air.
🔍 See our all-in-one recreation management software in action.
📱 Get a hands-on demo of our self-serve kiosk and client Mobile App!
🎉 Snag yourself some swag to take home.
📸 Capture memories with your team at our photobooth!
