July 2018 - Parks & Recreation - 66

CELEBRATING AMERICA'S BACKYARD
2018 NRPA Annual Conference
Exhibit Hall Highlights
By Ted Mattingly

he 2018 NRPA Exhibit Hall provides a spectacular display of
more than 450 exhibitors that is sure to provide you with awesome ideas and solutions for all your needs. It is a one-stop-shop
for all the latest and greatest products and services, playground
equipment, cutting-edge park and recreation technology solutions, and athletic and aquatics gear. Over the course of two days and with more than
6.5 hours of exclusive exhibit hall time, park and recreation professionals at
every level will have the opportunity to network with potential service providers and fellow attendees, participate in education sessions, win cash and
prizes, complete the EXPOdition scavenger hunt and have a great time!
Following the NRPA General Session, Tuesday, September 25, the exhibit hall will open at 10:30 a.m. and
remain open until 5 p.m. Wednesday's exhibit hall hours are from
10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the first
1,500 people to arrive each day will
receive a giveaway item. Tuesday's
prize is sponsored by Background
Investigation Bureau (704) and Burke
Playgrounds (1031) is the sponsor of
Wednesday's prize.
Networking Fun
Several great networking opportunities exist in the exhibit hall. Make
sure to check out the Learning Playground (135) for exciting interactive
education sessions, visit with the
NRPA team at the NRPA member
area - America's Back Yard booth
- (2854), enjoy lunch on Wednesday, September 26 from 11:30 a.m.
to 1:30 p.m. Take advantage of the
opportunity to participate in the
EXPOdition exhibit hall scavenger
hunt, one of our longtime favorite

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activities. Prizes include three free
registrations for the 2019 NRPA Annual Conference in Baltimore, iPads,
FitBits, T-shirts and gift cards, but
they'll only be available to a select
few who get all their squares stamped
and turn in their scavenger hunt card
by 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 26 at the Burke booth (1031).
Make sure to visit our gift
card-drawing sponsors to be eligible for a chance to win $100-$200
American Express gift cards every
hour on the show floor, and all attendees have a chance to win $1,000
in cash, a giveaway that's sponsored
by Toro. One drawing will be held
each day, so make sure to register at
the Toro booth (1801). Don't forget
to pick up your limited-edition, 2018
NRPA Annual Conference-branded
mini-basketball, but you must visit
the NRPA Member area - America's
Back Yard booth (2854) for details.
You will also see vendor equipment
demonstrations, have a chance to try
out new equipment and technology,

see cute four-legged friends at several dog-park displays, take a chance
at winning prizes from the Playcore
treasure chest (1401), get a cool hat
from Gametime (1501), participate
in a fitness challenge at the Greenfields booth (1417) for a chance to
win fitness equipment, as well as
many other opportunities to pick up
cool trinkets to take home for yourself (and maybe the family).
The Learning Playground
Get the juices flowing on the Learning Playground, site of our most
popular interactive education sessions. Here are two sessions you
won't want to miss: " YAY! The
Not-So-Subtle Art of Being Childlike Not Childish " on Tuesday from
1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m., and " From
Shawn Mendes to the Beatles -
Connecting the Generations " on
Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
Meet the NRPA Team
Your dedicated NRPA Team will
be on hand to network, provide
details about our ongoing projects
and initiatives related to our Pillars
- Health & Wellness, Conservation
and Social Equity and of course answer any questions you may have
about our member benefits, certifications and online learning (2854).
You can engage with colleagues and
NRPA staff, play games and relax in
America's Back Yard.
Visit www.nrpa.org/conference2018
for details and updates. We can't
wait to see you in Indianapolis!
- Ted Mattingly, NRPA's Director of
Facilities and Administrative Services

July 2018 - Parks & Recreation

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