Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association to Hold 60th Annual Conference Oct. 2-6
Thursday, August 25, 2011 | 09:44am
Slated for Oct. 2-6 at Paris Landing State Park
NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s Recreation Educational Services Division announced today that the Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association will hold its 60th Annual Conference Oct. 2-6, 2011, at Paris Landing State Park. The annual TRPA conference is specifically designed for parks and recreation professionals across the state.
This educational conference will feature expert presenters from across the country, in addition to a wide variety of educational sessions and offsite tours. Educational sessions will highlight the current trends, programs and opportunities in parks and recreation. This year’s TRPA conference will be hosted by a statewide committee of parks and recreation professionals, including professionals from the department’s Division of Recreation Educational Services. Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau will provide the opening welcome remarks on Monday, Oct. 3.
“We encourage everyone to take advantage of the opportunity to learn about the latest trends, further partnerships and share ideas that will benefit Tennessee communities and our quality of life,” said Martineau. “Conferences like this provide outstanding tools so that park professionals can continue helping Tennesseans lead healthier, more active lifestyles.”
Nationally recognized speaker Dale Smith Thomas will serve as the keynote speaker and will present the “Game of Life and How to Play It.” Thomas is president and founder of Winners by Choice, Inc. and has been a featured guest on the Dr. Phil Show, The Big Idea on CNBC, CMT and the Travel Channel. Her clients have included Allstate, Million Dollar Roundtable, Northwestern Mutual, McDonald’s, the Miss Universe Organization, Turner Broadcasting, Hilton Hotels and Sprint. The public is invited to attend the keynote speech, which will be held on Monday, Oct. 3, beginning at 5 p.m. at the Krider Performing Arts Center in Paris, Tenn. The keynote address is free to Paris-Henry County Chamber members and their employees and passes must be secured in advance at the Chamber of Commerce office.
Advanced registration to attend the full conference received prior to Sept. 1 is $240 for TRPA members and $320 for non-members. Registration received after Sept. 1 is $300 for TRPA members and $400 for non-members. Interested students will receive a special $170 rate and daily registration is available. Full conference registration fees include access to the conference, educational sessions, offsite tours, evening events and designated meals.
The Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association is an organization comprised of more than 1,100 professional and citizen members who work to achieve healthy, livable communities by strengthening and uniting those committed to the benefits of parks and recreation. They advocate the importance of thriving, local park systems; the opportunity for all Tennesseans to lead healthy, active lifestyles; and the preservation of great community spaces.
More information about this year’s TRPA conference, including a schedule of events, list of speakers and event sponsors and registration is available at www.trpa.net/displayconvention.cfm.
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