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!

• Skip to Day 1 of 2025 FRPA Educational Sessions (Monday, August 25)
• Skip to Day 2 of 2025 FRPA Educational Sessions (Tuesday, August 26)
• Skip to Day 3 of 2025 FRPA Educational Sessions (Wednesday, August 27)
• Skip to Day 4 of 2025 FRPA Educational Sessions (Thursday, August 28)

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!