FRPA 2025: 35 Must-Attend Educational Sessions
The 2025 FRPA Annual Conference is almost here—mark your calendar for August 25 to 28! To make it easier for you and your team to find what matters most, we’ve checked out all the sessions and picked 35 we think you’ll really enjoy.
Scroll on down to discover a wide variety of topics to fill your calendar and get excited for the tradeshow we’ve all been waiting for!
2025 NRPA Sessions-Workshops: Day 1 (Monday, August 25)
1. Evaluating & Restructuring Your Fees: Achieving Your Cost Recovery Goals
Topic Category: Finance
Date: Monday, August 25
Time: 8:00 am to 9:00 am
Speaker: Vianca Peron-Sellan, Erin Sullivan
2. Hey Young Professional: Networking Coffee & Chat
Topic Category: Networking
Date: Monday, August 25
Time: 8:00 am to 9:00 am
Speaker: Sara Pinamonti
3. Safeguarding Success: Proactive Risk Management for Events
Topic Category: Events
Date: Monday, August 25
Time: 8:15 am to 10:15 am
Speaker: Shelby Mendelson, Trish Sturgess
4. Creating Culture: Fun and Safety in Aquatics
Topic Category: Aquatics
Date: Monday, August 25
Time: 9:15 am to 10:15 am
Speaker: Tyler Daly, Hillary Roemersberger
5. Leveraging Employee-Generated Content for Social Media Success
Topic Category: SocialMedia
Date: Monday, August 25
Time: 9:15 am to 10:15 am
Speaker: Alyssa Tagdharie
6. Making the Most of Your FRPA Membership: Unlocking Opportunities and Benefits
Topic Category: FRPA Membership
Date: Monday, August 25
Time: 9:15 am to 10:15 am
Speaker: Jessica Crawley
7. Exploring FRPA’s Leadership Intensive Programs
Topic Category: FRPA Membership
Date: Monday, August 25
Time: 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Speaker: Marc Solomon
8. Adult Athletic League Inspiration from an Unexpected Source
Topic Category: Recreation
Date: Monday, August 25
Time: 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Speaker: Pete Doherty, Derek Harse
9. The Power of Support Groups in Parks
Topic Category: Accessibility
Date: Monday, August 25
Time: 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Speaker: Adine Sadin, Gemma Tena Fresneda
10. Well-Seasoned: Building a Senior Program from Scratch
Topic Category: Programming
Date: Monday, August 25
Time: 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Speaker: Marsha Fertil, Tierro Hampton
2025 NRPA Sessions-Workshops: Day 2 (Tuesday, August 26)
11. CAPRA Chapter Two - Planning
Topic Category: Training
Date: Tuesday, August 26
Time: 8:00 am to 9:00 am
Speaker: Robert Mattes, Danielle Alberty
12. Trail Signage and Wayfinding
Topic Category: Operations
Date: Tuesday, August 26
Time: 8:00 am to 9:00 am
Speaker: Gallus Quigley
13. Why Reinvent the Wheel
Topic Category: Career Development
Date: Tuesday, August 26
Time: 8:00 am to 9:00 am
Speakers: LaToya Artis, Jacob Baker
14. CAPRA Chapter Three - Organization and Administration
Topic Category: Operations
Date: Tuesday, August 26
Time: 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Speakers: Mary Figueroa, Jason Mackenzie
15. Special Olympics Florida Partnering with Florida’s Parks and Recreation Agencies
Topic Category: DEI
Date: Tuesday, August 26
Time: 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Speakers: Sergio Xiques
16. Wow, What a Facility!! How Do I Maintain it??
Topic Category: Operations
Date: Tuesday, August 26
Time: 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Speakers: Kim Whatley
17. Speed Networking 2.0
Topic Category: Career Development
Date: Tuesday, August 26
Time: 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Speakers: Misti Barber, Kenneth McKenzie, Charisse Lovett
18. CAPRA Chapter Four - Human Resources
Topic Category: Operations
Date: Tuesday, August 26
Time: 2:45 pm to 3:45 pm
Speakers: Lisa Weaver, Steve Cox, Mackenzie Vance
19. Emotional Regulation 101: Techniques to use in a Recreation Setting
Topic Category: Programming
Date: Tuesday, August 26
Time: 2:45 pm to 3:45 pm
Speakers: Alyssa Elsner, Meagan Young
20. Navigation of Legal Complexities in Parks & Recreation – A Path to Success
Topic Category: Legal
Date: Tuesday, August 26
Time: 2:45 pm to 3:45 pm
Speakers: Beth Powell, Michael Zito
2025 NRPA Sessions-Workshops: Day 3 (Wednesday, August 27)
21. Leading Early: Navigating Success as a Young Leader
Topic Category: Leadership
Date: Wednesday, August 27
Time: 8:00 am to 9:00 am
Speaker: Devon Poulos
22. Recreation & Operations: Make US and THEM – WE!
Topic Category: Operations
Date: Wednesday, August 27
Time: 8:00 am to 9:00 am
Speaker: Jim LoPilato, Savannah Richmond
23. CAPRA Chapter Six - Program Management
Topic Category: Programming
Date: Wednesday, August 27
Time: 9:15 am to 10:15 am
Speaker: Jason Mackenzie, Mary Figueroa, Megan Sanders
24. Summer Camp Showdown
Topic Category: Programming
Date: Wednesday, August 27
Time: 9:15 am to 10:15 am
Speaker: Jessica Newsome
25. Women in Leadership: Empowering Women in Parks and Recreation
Topic Category: Leadership
Date: Wednesday, August 27
Time: 9:15 am to 11:15 am
Speaker: Rebecca Schnirman
26. Branding Your Department with a Mascot
Topic Category: Marketing
Date: Wednesday, August 27
Time: 10:30 am to 11:30 am
Speaker: Teresa Wiggins, Peter Ferreira
27. CAPRA Chapter Seven - Facility and Land Use Management
Topic Category: Training
Date: Wednesday, August 27
Time: 10:30 am to 11:30 am
Speaker: Michael Wirsing
28. Self-Onboarding for Parks and Recreation Professionals
Topic Category: Operations
Date: Wednesday, August 27
Time: 2:45 pm to 3:45 pm
Speaker: Thomas Venniro
29. Project Management Essentials For Successful Project Implementation and Professional Development – Part 1
Topic Category: Leadership
Date: Wednesday, August 27
Time: 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Speaker: Samantha Phillips, Jason Mackenzie
30. Matrix: Dive into a Developmental Plan
Topic Category: Operations
Date: Wednesday, August 27
Time: 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm
Speaker: Kelsey Mears
2025 NRPA Sessions-Workshops: Day 4 (Thursday, August 28)
31. CAPRA Re-Accreditation: The In-Between Years
Topic Category: Training
Date: Thursday, August 28
Time: 9:15 am to 10:15 am
Speakers: Kim Harris, Roxy Gonzalez
32. Oh Crap! Creating Relationships And Partners
Topic Category: Networking
Date: Thursday, August 28
Time: 9:15 am to 10:15 am
Speakers: Erin Murphy, Elaine Smith
33. Supervising Multi-Generational Staff: Leading Diverse Teams to Success
Topic Category: Operations
Date: Thursday, August 28
Time: 9:15 am to 10:15 am
Speakers: Christopher McNamara
34. All Things Events – Making Every Moment Count
Topic Category: Marketing
Date: Thursday, August 28
Time: 9:15 am to 10:15 am
Speakers: Natalie Wilson
35. The Power of Collaborative Leadership
Topic Category: Leadership
Date: Thursday, August 28
Time: 9:15 am to 10:15 am
Speakers: Megan Dias
Wrapping it up:
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 #1001!
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 custom-branded mobile app!
🎉 Snag yourself some swag to take home.
📸 Capture memories with your team at our photobooth!