"The National Recreation and Parks Association’s (NRPA) Conference is just around the corner, and the annual conference can really be overwhelming, especially for first-year attendees," shares Rich Neumann, manager with BerryDunn's Parks, Recreation, and Libraries team. "Here you have direct access to the brightest minds in our industry exploring the hottest trends in parks and recreation." With the conference approaching (September 16-19 in Orlando), our team of consultants and former practitioners shares their proven strategies for navigating this landmark event.
Plan smart, stay flexible
"I'm a big fan of going in with a plan," explains Ryan Hegreness. "Usually, I review the education sessions a week before and use the NRPA app or my Outlook calendar to schedule sessions. I pick a primary and backup session for each time slot—but don't overschedule yourself. The best conference experiences often come from those spontaneous hallway conversations."
Include the exhibit hall in your pre-planning, advises Jason Genck. “The exhibit hall can be overwhelming. If there are particular areas you want to visit to gain information and learn more, make a game plan ahead of time to be sure you stay focused.
Maximize learning opportunities
"Go to every session and take advantage of every opportunity," advises Jeff Milkes, who's attended since 1984. "Get there early—some sessions may be standing room only. Sit in the front. You'll get the most out of each session when you're not busy thinking about emails or deadlines back at the office. Use the NRPA app by selecting everything that appears interesting to you. Do this a few days in advance and ignore the schedule conflicts. Then whittle down your list and make the hard choices."
Focus on practical solutions
"If you're anything like me," Rich Neumann suggests, "you might want to consider prioritizing presentations that are heavy on storytelling through case studies. While theory is great, nothing compares to seeing new ideas put into practical use."
When exploring technology solutions, Erin Provazek advises: "Come to the conference with an idea of the major pain points you have with your current system. But it's equally important to have an idea of the functionality that works really well for you."
Network naturally
"Don't underestimate the value of the coffee line," Nikki Ginger emphasizes, drawing from 15 years of conference experience. "I have met some incredible people and some lifelong friends... these casual conversations really can lead to some incredible knowledge sharing and problem solving."
For introverts, Ryan Hegreness offers a practical tip: "Having a role at a conference or event helps me connect with people more easily. This can be serving as a volunteer, getting involved in planning, being a room host, or leading an education session."
Practice self-care
"It's important to take care of staying hydrated, eating well, and making sure you're getting some rest," Dannie Wilson advises, "so that you can really fully participate and enjoy all the conference opportunities."
Nikki adds, "Don't try to do it all. Take a break when you can... practice self-care," whether that's exploring Lake Eola Park or finding a quiet moment with coffee.
Listen to these and more tips on the "Let's talk parks with BerryDunn" podcast!
Sessions presented by our team members
We love to talk parks! Please join us at these sessions presented by our team and clients.
Design Together, Build Together, Play Together
Date: Monday, September 15, 2025
Time: 8:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Speaker(s): Lisa Paradis, Stacey Dicke
From Data Chaos to Clarity: Streamline Operations with Dashboards
Date: Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Time: 2:45 – 3:45 p.m. EST
Speaker: Becky Dunlap
Lights, Camera, Action? Social Media for the Social Beginner
Date: Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Time: 2:45 – 3:45 p.m. EST
Speaker(s): Johnathan Skinner, Nikki Ginger
Thriving as an Introvert in an Extroverted Industry
Date: Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Time: 4:15 – 5:15 p.m. EST
Speaker: Ryan Hegreness
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
Date: Thursday, September 18, 2025
Time: 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. EST
Speaker: Lisa Paradis
“Squirrel!” …staying focused with a coworker who has ADHD
Date: Thursday, September 18, 2025
Time: 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. EST
Speaker: Dannielle Wilson
Tackle Them If You Have To: Rethinking Traditional Approaches to Community Engagement
Date: Thursday, September 18, 2025
Time: 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. EST
Speaker(s): Ryan Hegreness, Rich Neumann
And be sure to visit us at Booth 932! As Rich jokes, forget the typical conference swag—stop by for "really terrible hand-drawn portraits... the one souvenir everyone will be talking about and maybe even crying over."
See you in Orlando!
Innovative strategies for parks, recreation, and libraries
BerryDunn's consultants work with you to improve operations, drive innovation, identify improvements to services based on community need, and elevate your brand and image―all from the perspective of our team’s combined 100 years of hands-on experience. We provide practical park solutions, recreation expertise, and library consulting. Learn more about our team and services.