The 2025 IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference is just around the corner! Taking place this year from Thursday, January 23 to Saturday, January 25 in Chicago, Illinois, 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 three-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 20 must-attend sessions for the IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference!

• ☝️ Skip to Day 1 of 2025 IAPD/IPRA Educational Workshops (Thursday, January 23)

• 🍎 Skip to Day 1 of 2025 IAPD/IPRA Educational Sessions (Thursday, January 23)

• ✌️ Skip to Day 2 of 2025 IAPD/IPRA Educational Sessions (Friday, January 24)

• 🗓️ Skip to Day 3 of 2025 IAPD/IPRA Educational Sessions (Saturday, January 25)

2025 IAPD/IPRA Workshops: Day 1 (Thursday, January 23)

1. AI in Parks and Recreation: The Next Level

Topic: Leadership/Management

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Speakers: Scott Crowe, Neelay Bhatt

Location: Grand Hall I, East Tower, Gold/Ballroom Level

2. Building Innovation: A LEGO® Serious Play® Workshop for Park District Professionals

Topic: Leadership/Management

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Speaker: Marcy Fortnow

Location: Grand Hall J, East Tower, Gold/Ballroom Level

3. Field Trip: Sustainability by Design

Topic: Facilities

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Speakers: Maureen McCarthy, Chris Lindgren, Jan Arnold

Location: Offsite

4. TIME MANAGEMENT for People Who Don't Have Time to Take a Time Management
Course: Real Secrets to Getting Things Done

Topic: Therapeutic Recreation

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Speaker: Michael Brandwein

Location: Grand Hall GH, East Tower, Gold/Ballroom Level

5. Parks, Pools, and Open Spaces for All: Designing for a Neurodiverse Community

Topic: Diversity

Time: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Speakers: Terry Berkbuegler, Jen Gerber, Katie Hench, Aliyah Rich, Mo Convery

Location: Grand Hall L, East Tower, Gold/Ballroom Level

2025 IAPD/IPRA Sessions: Day 1 (Thursday, January 23)

6. Engaging the New Collar Worker

Topic: Leadership/Management

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Speakers: Bob Johnson, Jake Stachowiak

Location: Regency Ballroom B, West Tower, Gold/Ballroom Level

7. Real Estate 101: What You Need to Know About Acquiring, Selling, and Using Property

Topic: Governance/Legal

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Speakers: Scott Puma, David Silverman

Location: Gold Coast, West Tower, Bronze/Concourse Level

8. Esports Ecosystem

Topic: Recreation

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Speaker: Richard Suarez

Location: Regency Ballroom A, West Tower, Gold/Ballroom Level

9. Addressing Employee Mental Health Conditions

Topic: HR/Risk Management

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Speakers: Kevin Noll, Aaron Kacel

Location: Regency Ballroom D, West Tower, Gold/Ballroom Level

10. Art Without Boundaries: Identifying and Overcoming Barriers in Cultural Arts Programming

Topic: Recreation

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Speakers: Laney Haupert, Lindsey Pollina

Location: Water Tower, West Tower, Bronze/Concourse Level

2025 IAPD/IPRA Sessions: Day 2 (Friday, January 24)

11. Mastering the Art of Leadership: Cultivating Essential Metaskills for Success

Topic: Leadership/Management

Time: 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

Speaker: Marcy Fortnow

Location: Regency Ballroom B, West Tower, Gold/Ballroom Level

12. Girl Power - What's Holding You Back?

Topic: Leadership/Management

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Speakers: Carrie Fullerton, Maryfran Leno, Chris D'Alessandro

Location: Grand Hall J, East Tower, Gold/Ballroom Level

13. Leadership Lessons We Can Learn From Ted Lasso

Topic: Leadership/Management

Time: 12:15 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.

Speakers:  Lisa Swan, Cheryl Lufitz

Location: Grand Hall J, East Tower, Gold/Ballroom Level

14. The Power of PechaKucha

Topic: Leadership/Management

Time: 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Speakers: Mike Selep, Kai Wahlgren

Location: Regency Ballroom A, West Tower, Gold/Ballroom Level

15. Agency State Accreditation - A Blueprint to Excellence

Topic: Leadership/Management

Time: 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Speakers: Jason Herbster, Ron Salski

Location: Water Tower, West Tower, Bronze/Concourse Level

2025 IAPD/IPRA Sessions: Day 3 (Saturday, January 25)

16. From Burned Out to Fueled Up – Five Tools to Spark Engagement & Wellbeing

Topic: Leadership/Management

Time: 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Speaker: Lora Cheadle

Location: Regency Ballroom C, West Tower, Gold/Ballroom Level

17. You Can, Canva! Unlock Creativity & Efficiency at Your Agency 

Topic: Marketing/Communications

Time: 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Speakers: Lonna Converso, Joe Potts, Aileen Morales, Nicole Ginger, Jackie Tithof-Steere, Nathanael Davila

Location: Gold Coast, West Tower, Bronze/Concourse Level

18. Innovative Programs, Quality Instructors, and Healthy Communities: The Role of Parks
Professionals in Growing Tennis

Topic: Diversity

Time: 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Speakers: Amelia Storer, Todd Carlson

Location: Regency Ballroom A, West Tower, Gold/Ballroom Level

19. Practical Steps to Build Your Personal Brand Today

Topic: Marketing/Communications

Time: 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Speaker: Nuria Garcia Nogueron

Location: Grand Suite 5, East Tower, Gold/Ballroom Level

20. Inclusion: Be More Than A Buzzword

Topic: Forest Preserve and Conservation

Time: 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Speaker: Lydia Pond

Location: Grand Hall J, East Tower, Gold/Ballroom Level

Don’t Forget to Stop by Booth #819!

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 #819! 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!