Conference will boast 80-plus education sessions, focus on COVID-19 recovery, racial equity and social justice issues
Registration for the 2021 NRPA Annual Conference is now open. The conference, which will be the first hybrid conference hosted by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), will be held Sept. 21-23 in Nashville, Tennessee, and will feature more than 80 education sessions, an in-person and virtual exhibit hall, and plenty of networking opportunities. In addition to an already top-notch education platform, the conference also will focus on coronavirus (COVID-19) response, as well as racial equity and social justice issues.
“The past year has shown just how essential parks and recreation is to the health and well-being of our communities,” said Kristine Stratton, president and CEO of NRPA. “Now, it’s time to invest in the park and recreation professionals who have done so much — and the NRPA Annual Conference is the opportunity to do just that. This year is about coming together and strengthening the bonds of the park and recreation community. It’s more important now than ever, as we work to support our communities through our nation’s toughest challenges — continued COVID-19 recovery, racial justice, climate resilience, youth development and so much more.”
In addition to daily general sessions, there are 12 education tracks that attendees can choose from, including:
- Advocacy
- Aquatics
- Career Development
- Conservation
- Customer Service
- Equity and Inclusion
- Health and Wellness
- Leadership and Personnel Management
- Planning, Design and Maintenance
- Programming
- Public Relations and Marketing
- Revenue Development
The safety of our staff and attendees is of the utmost importance to NRPA. We will follow all federal, state and local guidelines set for in-person gatherings, as well as recommendations provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO). In-person attendees can anticipate daily health and wellness check points, physical distancing and face covering requirements, as well as other health and safety protocols. More details can be found on our website.
Early-bird registration for the annual conference ends Aug. 6, 2021.
To register and learn more, visit nrpa.org/conference.
To learn more about NRPA, visit nrpa.org.
About the National Recreation and Park Association
The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is the leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation. With more than 60,000 members, NRPA advances this mission by investing in and championing the work of park and recreation professionals and advocates — the catalysts for positive change in service of equity, climate-readiness, and overall health and well-being. For more information, visit www.nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrecreation.org.