July 2016 - Parks & Recreation - 52

2016 NRPA Annual Conference:
Newbie Knowledge

Veteran attendees of NRPA's signature annual event share their top tips for first-timers

he NRPA Annual Conference is a huge event. Each year, thousands of
members and guests spend up to a week immersing themselves in the latest
park and rec gear, education sessions, workshops, networking events and
more. For first-time attendees, navigating all the options can be daunting.

To help, we've assembled tips from
three NRPA members who know their
way around the exhibit hall floor. Before heading to St. Louis Oct. 5-8, consider the following advice from Dirk
Richwine, superintendent of recreation
for the city of Henderson, Nevada; Jay
Tryon, CPRP, director of parks and
recreation for the town of Indian Trail,
North Carolina; and Rod Tarullo, director of the city of Golden, Colorado
Parks and Recreation Department. And,
for the most up-to-date information on
the 2016 NRPA Annual Conference, visit www.nrpa.org/conference2016.

Dirk Richwine
Congratulations on attending your first
NRPA Annual Conference. There is a
lot going on during Conference week
50 Parks & Recreation

- attending the education sessions,
the exhibit hall, general sessions and
social activities all can make for a very
busy week.
To make the most of your Conference
experience, the best thing to do is to make
a plan of what you want to do there before
you go. Parks & Recreation magazine publishes a great pre-Conference issue that
will help you organize your schedule.
You can check what educational sessions
you want to attend, including the session
on attending your first Conference.
Do the same for the exhibit hall. Make
sure that you visit the exhibitors that you
have a special interest in, but also take
time to walk the entire hall and visit as
many vendors as possible. Make sure
you have room in your suitcase for all
the things you will bring back from the
exhibit hall.
Don't forget to attend the different
Conference socials. They are a great way
to meet fellow professionals and network.
To learn about what's going on in the
area, sign up for one of the many interesting off-site tours showcasing impressive parks and facilities.
If you want stay active, take advantage
of the early-morning exercise classes, or
the 5K Fun Run.
The NRPA Annual Conference is one
of the best places to meet members like
yourself and build your professional
network. Participate in the different net-

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work organizations, especially the Young
Professional Network. Attend their functions such as " Take a Student/Young
Professional to Lunch " and the YP Social. Get involved and stay connected.
Finally, when you get to the Conference make sure you get one of the free
pocket guides that have all the schedules
and information you need. There will
be many volunteers around the Conference to help with any questions you
might have.
Conference week is busy. Take time,
learn a lot, meet many new friends and
see why what we do is so important.
Most of all, you'll have a great time!

Jay Tryon
The NRPA Conference is quickly approaching and it is time to register and
start planning. Not every profession
is lucky enough to have a week-long

July 2016 - Parks & Recreation

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