Thousands of Park & Recreation Professionals and Elected Officials Head to Chicago for Annual Conference

Posted January 21, 2019 10:00 pm

Illinois Park & Recreation Association (IPRA) Heather Weishaar, Outreach Director

Employees and elected officials from park and recreation agencies state-wide will convene at the Hyatt Regency Chicago for three days of educational programming, networking and professional development at the annual IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights conference. The conference will take place January 24-26, 2019 and over 4,000 attendees are expected to attend.

One of the largest park and recreation conferences in the nation, the Soaring to New Heights conference features workshops ranging from 'Comprehensive Master Plans: Leveraging System Wide Parks and Recreation Master Planning' to 'Breaking Down the Barriers: Creating Sensory Rich Play Experiences for All Children.' Over 150 educational sessions strive to stay ahead of current trends and provide top-notch professional development for attendees.

This year's Keynote Speaker features Greg Schwem. Greg Schwem knows a thing or two about rock and roll. As a comedian who has opened concerts for stars such as Keith Urban, Celine Dion, Enrique Iglesias, and (wait for it) KC and the Sunshine Band, Greg has seen how rock and roll is really a business. Like the business of running the best agency possible! In short? Every park district, forest preserve, conservation, recreation or special recreation agency, and employee within that agency, has "rock star" potential.

'For many of our members, the conference is the highlight of the year and the top rated member benefit. It is the culmination of so many volunteers coming together as one community, bound together in our passion for parks and recreation.' Debbie Trueblood, CAE, Executive Director of the Illinois Park & Recreation Association.

Established in 1944, the Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2019. IPRA's mission is to provide and promote exceptional standards of education,networking, and resources for all professionals in the Illinois park, recreation, and conservation communities. For more information about IPRA, its board and mission, please call us or visit the IPRA website: www.ILipra.org

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