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Pictured: Lacey Polster
My first NRPA Annual Conference was in Orlando in 2025, and it couldn’t have been a greater one to begin with! When I began my function as a advertising and marketing and communications specialist at Grayslake Community Park District in Illinois, I keep in mind listening to my coworkers discuss how unimaginable the NRPA conferences are. They raved about how informative the audio system are and the way the exhibit corridor has nearly the whole lot you could possibly ever need. When I used to be invited to attend, I used to be ecstatic for the chance.
My objectives for each convention I attend are the identical:
I’m certain that each convention attendee has hopes that they’ll have at the very least one takeaway after attending the convention. I used to be dumbfounded by how a lot I used to be studying in each session I attended. I discovered the whole lot from ADA web site compliance, methods to create belonging along with your neighborhood, social media advertising and marketing concepts, and methods to leverage standard traits. I used to be attempting to soak all of it up as quick as I might. Between taking notes in my pocket book, taking footage, and downloading the slides to point out my coworkers again within the workplace, I gained rather more than only one takeaway.
Pictured: NRPA letters on show on the 2025 NRPA Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida. Photo courtesy of Lacey Polster.
One of the perfect components of a nationwide convention as a beginner is that everybody is on a stage taking part in discipline with regards to discovering their approach across the convention. Everyone is studying indicators, everyone seems to be scanning the halls and everyone seems to be asking questions. I made a decision to deal with the exhibit corridor with one in every of my coworkers by my aspect after we left the opening normal session.
Pictured: Attendees discover the exhibit corridor on the 2025 NRPA Annual Conference. Photo courtesy of Lacey Polster.
I stepped by the door into the exhibit corridor with zero expectations and it was an unforgettable expertise. I used to be amazed by the vitality and creativity on show. I seemed to my proper and there was a band taking part in a peppy music. I seemed to my left and there was a herding canine demonstrating canine park gear. I seemed straight forward and it was countless play constructions. It really felt like stepping again into childhood and attending to play once more. Seeing the number of playground items in particular person actually introduced them to life and gave me an entire new appreciation for the work we do. This is why we do what we do. We convey folks collectively.
Pictured: Unique play constructions on the 2025 NRPA Annual Conference exhibit corridor. Photo courtesy of Lacey Polster.
I made my approach by all of the cubicles, accumulating goodies to take with me, all whereas assembly folks from everywhere in the nation. From this, my husband obtained a bucket hat, a mini stress ball formed like a tree, and a nifty water bottle. I obtained a reduction on the branded tent I used to be buying for my district, free ice cream, and an opportunity to step again from the stress of designing program guides. For these three days, I obtained to play.
I hadn’t been to Orlando since my senior 12 months of highschool once I did a 12-states-in-12-days highway journey with my finest pal. When I stepped out of the airport and the sunshine hit my face, I knew this was going to be an excellent few days. I’m somebody who loves touring however I get simply burdened by the small print. This was nice as a result of it was all discovered for me! All I needed to do was hop onto my shuttle and keep in mind the title of my resort.
Pictured: Lacey visiting SeaWorld Orlando whereas attending the 2025 NRPA Annual Conference. Photo courtesy of Lacey Polster.
One of my favourite components was the opening reception at Universal Studios. Beyond the apparent enjoyable of driving rides, the park was closed to the general public, so the standard dread of ready in strains was made higher by assembly park and recreation professionals from everywhere in the nation. While ready in line for Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, we had 40 minutes to talk with these round us. It was a lot enjoyable getting to listen to their tales, learn the way issues are finished in numerous areas, and spend time with coworkers outdoors the workplace.
Overall, this expertise jogged my memory why parks and recreation work issues. I’m excited for future conferences so I can proceed studying, experiencing new displays, and having enjoyable!
Lacey Polster (she/her) is the advertising and marketing and communications specialist for Grayslake Community Park District in Illinois.
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its authentic location you’ll be able to go to the hyperlink bellow:
https://www.nrpa.org/blog/my-first-nrpa-conference-learning-connection-and-a-lot-of-fun/
and if you wish to take away this text from our website please contact us
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its authentic location you'll…
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its unique location you'll…
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its authentic location you'll…
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its authentic location you…
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its authentic location you…
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its unique location you…