Get set to dive headfirst into the excitement of the 2023 NRPA Conference!
This year’s conference has a whopping 260+ educational sessions lined up to help your parks and recreation team step up your game.
Now, we're not kidding when we say each of these sessions is packed with incredible takeaways.
But here's the deal: unless you've got a cloning machine stashed away somewhere, you're going to have to make some tough calls about which ones to attend this year.
But don't stress! We've done the hard work for you and combed through the conference schedule to produce a list of 40 sessions that we’re really excited about and you should be too!
Get ready to soak up the latest trends, hear from the experts, and discover game-changing ideas that'll shape the future of our field. Stick with us as we break down these must-see sessions that are sure to crank up your community impact.
💡TIP: To make the most of your time at NRPA, be sure to check out our Free NRPA 2023 Planning Guide + Customizable Templates – which includes a comprehensive planning guide with tips, a customizable planning + scheduling template (be sure to add your educational sessions to this template), and a personal planning + packing checklist.
Topic Category: Customer Service
Date: Tuesday, October 10
Time: 1:00PM to 2:00PM
Location: D Ballroom Section 3
Speakers: Karen Lussier + Brianne Baglini
Topic Categories: Customer Service, PR & Marketing Technology
Date: Tuesday, October 10
Time: 1:00PM to 2:00PM
Location: Room C142
Speaker: Gabriel Castillo
Topic Categories: Equity and inclusion, Planning and Design Accessibility, Playgrounds
Date: Tuesday, October 10
Time: 1:00PM to 2:00PM
Location: Room C146
Speakers: Jodi House, Taylor Bunn, Steve Plumer
Topic Categories: Leadership and Personnel Management, Programming
Date: Tuesday, October 10
Time: 1:00PM to 2:00PM
Location: D Ballroom Section 1
Speakers: Ryan Hegreness
Topic Category: Equity and Inclusion
Date: Tuesday, October 10
Time: 1:00PM to 2:00PM
Location: C Ballroom Section 3
Speakers: Karen Holmes
Topic Categories: Public Relations and Marketing, Social Media
Date: Tuesday, October 10
Time: 1:00PM to 2:00PM
Location: D Ballroom Section 2
Speakers: Robyn Gerard, Monica Tetteh, Jenny Cantu, Deonna McGary
Topic Categories: Leadership and Personnel Management, Hiring
Date: Tuesday, October 10
Time: 2:30PM to 3:30PM
Location: C Ballroom Section 1
Speakers: Mike Mulvaney, Megan Owens
Topic Categories: Health and Wellness, Leadership and Personnel Management
Date: Tuesday, October 10
Time: 2:30PM to 3:30PM
Location: Room C142
Speaker: Gabriel Castillo
Topic Category: Leadership and Personnel Management
Date: Tuesday, October 10
Time: 2:30PM to 3:30PM
Location: D Ballroom Section 1
Speaker: Lara Hamwey
Topic Category: Leadership and Personnel Management
Date: Tuesday, October 10
Time: 4:00PM to 4:30PM
Location: Exhibit Hall, Speed Session Pod 1
Speaker: Lara Hamwey
You can check out the full NRPA Day 1 Educational Session line-up here.
Topic Categories: Equity and Inclusion, Planning and Design, Data and Evaluation
Date: Wednesday, October 11
Time: 11:30AM to 12:00PM
Location: Exhibit Hall, Speed Session Pod 1
Speaker: Matt Weschler
Topic Categories: Research, Data and Evaluation, Partnerships, Where Community Grows
Date: Wednesday, October 11
Time: 1:00PM to 2:15PM
Location: Exhibit Hall, Speed Session Pod 1
Speakers: Joseh Walker, Bob Brookover
Topic Category: Planning and Design
Date: Wednesday, October 11
Time: 1:00PM to 2:00PM
Location: Room D164
Speakers: Pat O’toole, Megan Mainer
Topic Categories: Public Policy and Advocacy, Community Engagement, Youth
Date: Wednesday, October 11
Time: 1:00PM to 2:00PM
Location: Room D165
Speakers: Sydney Elliott, Kevin Moore
Topic Category: Leadership and Personnel Management
Date: Wednesday, October 11
Time: 1:00PM to 2:00PM
Location: C Ballroom Section 3
Speakers: Myla Neal, Rameir Martin
Topic Categories: Planning and Design, Data and Evaluation
Date: Wednesday, October 11
Time: 1:00PM to 2:00PM
Location: Room D174
Speaker: Bobbi Nance
Topic Categories: Equity and Inclusion, Leadership and Personnel, Management, LGBTQIA2s+, Safety and Security, Where Community Grows, Workforce Development
Date: Wednesday, October 11
Time: 1:00PM to 2:00PM
Location: D Ballroom Section 3
Speakers: Neelay Bhatt, Barbara Hernandez, DeQuel Robinson, Tiff Cunin
Topic Categories: Equity and Inclusion, Operations and Maintenance, Public Policy and Advocacy
Date: Wednesday, October 11
Time: 2:30PM to 3:30PM
Location: D Ballroom Section 2
Speakers: Jayne Miller, Russ Carson, Troy Houtman, Chris Bass
Topic Categories: Customer Service, Equity and Inclusion, Communication, Safety and Security
Date: Wednesday, October 11
Time: 2:30PM to 3:30PM
Location: Room C148 (clinics)
Speakers: Ashley Virtue, Daniel Orth
Topic Categories: PR and Marketing, Social Media
Date: Wednesday, October 11
Time: 2:30PM to 3:30PM
Location: Room D167
Speaker: Adam Kelly
Topic Categories: Career Development, Leadership and Personnel, Management
Date: Wednesday, October 11
Time: 2:30PM to 3:30PM
Location: Room C146
Speakers: Calie Willis, Will Doss
Topic Categories: Programming, Community Engagement, Safety and Security
Date: Wednesday, October 11
Time: 2:30PM to 3:30PM
Location: Room D163
Speakers: Latasha Stiger
Topic Categories: Equity and Inclusion, Leadership and Personnel, Management
Date: Wednesday, October 11
Time: 4:00PM to 5:00PM
Location: C Ballroom Section 1
Speakers: Tracey Crawford, Lakita Frazier
Topic Categories: Health and Wellness, PR and Marketing, Older Adults
Date: Wednesday, October 11
Time: 4:00PM to 5:00PM
Location: Room C145
Speaker: Cosmo Wollan
Topic Categories: Revenue Development, Partnerships
Date: Wednesday, October 11
Time: 4:00PM to 5:00PM
Location: Room D167
Speaker: Katrina Williams
You can check out the full NRPA Day 2 Educational Session line-up here.
Topic Categories: Customer Service, Programming, Data and Evaluation
Date: Thursday, October 12
Time: 9:00AM to 10:00AM
Location: Room D172
Speakers: Haleigh Spragg
Topic Category: Equity and Inclusion
Date: Thursday, October 12
Time: 9:00AM to 10:00AM
Location: C Ballroom Section 1
Speaker: Jason Elissalde
Topic Categories: Career Development, Leadership and Personnel, Management
Date: Thursday, October 12
Time: 9:00AM to 10:00AM
Location: Room C140
Speakers: Marcus McIntyre, Angelica Raya, Gabby Vera
Topic Category: PR and Marketing
Date: Thursday, October 12
Time: 10:30AM to 11:30AM
Location: D Ballroom Section 3
Speakers: Ann Beck
Topic Category: PR and Marketing
Date: Thursday, October 12
Time: 10:30AM to 11:30AM
Location: Room D167
Speakers: Meredith Lawrence, Bryce Shearen, Anthony Iracki, Cort Jones
Topic Category: Health and Wellness, Programming, Older Adults
Date: Thursday, October 12
Time: 10:30AM to 11:30AM
Location: Room C145
Speakers: Stephanie Esposito, Farah Tunks
Topic Categories: Customer Service, Programming
Date: Thursday, October 12
Time: 10:30AM to 11:30AM
Location: Room C156
Speakers: Kevin Witte, Cody Geddes, Ashley Gain, Cassie Swan
Topic Categories: PR and Marketing, Social Media
Date: Thursday, October 12
Time: 10:30AM to 11:30AM
Location: D Ballroom Section 2
Speakers: Monica Tetteh, Brian Plinck, Robyn Gerard, Amanda Mukhin
Topic Categories: Customer Service, Equity and Inclusion, Planning and Design, Community Engagement
Date: Thursday, October 12
Time: 10:30AM to 11:30AM
Location: Room C146
Speakers: Adam Wynn, Kinda Mines, Stephanie Cornejo, Samantha Hudson
Topic Categories: Aquatics, Planning and Design, Community Engagement, Funding
Date: Thursday, October 12
Time: 12:30PM to 1:30PM
Location: Room D162
Speakers: Jessica Compton, Steve Burke
Topic Categories: Health and Wellness, Operations and Maintenance, Programming
Date: Thursday, October 12
Time: 12:30PM to 1:30PM
Location: Room D173
Speakers: John Barney, Debbie Almager, Mari Simbana, Andre Dickson
Topic Categories: Planning and Design, Revenue Development, Funding, Partnerships
Date: Thursday, October 12
Time: 2:00PM to 3:00PM
Location: Room D174
Speakers: Kellie May, Stephen Springs, Paula Sliefert
Topic Categories: Planning and Design, Programming, Community Engagement
Date: Thursday, October 12
Time: 2:00PM to 3:00PM
Location: Room D164
Speakers: Chris Octetree, Kirk Archer
Topic Categories: Operations and Maintenance, Technology
Date: Thursday, October 12
Time: 2:00PM to 3:00PM
Location: C Ballroom Section 1
Speakers: Greg Brown, Rick Valdez
Topic Categories: Operations and Maintenance, Programming, Revenue Development, Funding
Date: Thursday, October 12
Time: 2:00PM to 3:00PM
Location: Room C155
Speakers: Michael Klitzing, Kurtis Baumgartner
You can check out the full NRPA Day 3 Educational Session line-up here.
To most, the educational sessions are the #1 reason they attend the NRPA. With so many incredible session options, be sure to take the time to review the schedule with your team and plan which sessions you'd like to attend. To make life easier, consider using our free NRPA 2023 Planning Guide + Templates to make the most of your plan and schedule.
Also, be sure to stop by booth #1047 to visit the Xplor Recreation team, and:
🔍See our all-in-one recreation management software in action
📱Try out our NEW Client Mobile App + Kiosk Experiences
🎁 Enter in a draw to win a Free iPad Air (2 up for grabs!)