Kansas Recreation and Park Association
in conjunction with the Midwest Regional Park and Recreation Conference
2023 Conference and Trade Show
Amazing Ride to 75!
The 2023 KRPA Conference and Trade Show will be held at the Sheraton Conference Center in Overland Park on January 31st- February 2nd, 2023. You will not want to miss out as we celebrate KRPA’s 75th Anniversary! The conference planning committee is pulling out all the stops to make this conference packed full of amazing speakers, unforgettable socials, and unique opportunities. It is sure to be a conference like no other!
DATE
January 31st- February 2nd, 2023
VENUE
Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center
6100 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS 66211
Preconference Opportunities
Take the opportunity on January 30th to earn more CEUs, expand your education and networks with professionals from Kansas and the Midwest at our 2023 Pre-Conference opportunities! Click here to view the complete preliminary schedule.
Preliminary Program
Education
Sessions
This conference has education sessions for everyone! Over 100 sessions, you will find topics to aid in your professional career. Click here to view the complete preliminary schedule.
Socials
This year is truly a celebration! KRPA only turns 75 once! We've pulled out all the stops on socials this year from casual fun and competition at Chicken N Pickle to a one-of-a-kind party at the KC Royals Baseball Stadium! Click here to learn more about this year's socials.
Tours
Take a walk and get a talk with 5 different tour opportunities! Choose from an esports tour, 2 park tours or 2 facilities tours, or add all 5 to your registration. Click here to learn more about this year's tours.
With a focus around leadership, employee engagement, client connection, and culture strategy with a direct link back to retention, productivity, and profitability, Tami Evans will kick off our conference with a content-rich, interactive, entertaining opening session. She believes if attendees are laughing they are listening, and if they are listening they are learning.
Tami has helped ignite positive workplaces for exceptional organizations including Microsoft, Raytheon, Dun & Bradstreet, Dove Chocolate, The New York Times, Nissan, The Gap, Kellogg’s, Coldwell Banker and The American Heart Association.
Formerly the president of the National Speakers Association of NYC, Evans has also worked as a corporate manager, university professor, communications specialist, as well as such diverse career experience as a fashion designer and professional actress. She also holds a Masters of Fine Arts and BAA degrees in Broadcasting Communications and Theatre.
TAMI EVANS
Meet the Keynote Speakers
DAN MEERS
Dan Meers has been KC Wolf, the mascot of the Kansas City Chiefs, for more than 30 years. In 2006 he was selected as the first NFL mascot inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame. Dan travels throughout the United States and the world entertaining thousands of people both in and out of costume. He has performed in over 30 states and 10 different countries. His enthusiasm, optimism and love for life are contagious. Dan will finish out our conference with a closing session that will leave you inspired.
Be it young or old, director or entry-level, you will walk away with a smile and a renewed spirit to live life to the fullest. Whether you’re a Kansas City Chiefs fan or not, you’ll enjoy Dan Meers as he shares his unique wit and wisdom about life.
Conference Details
FRONTLINE CUSTOMER SERVICE TRAINING
Frontline staff is core to any agency. They are instrumental in the success of your department. We have designed this customized package specifically for these critical employees. For only $75, these attendees can attend the 3 events listed while also networking with 500+ park and recreation professionals and commercial partners.
Sheraton Overland Park Hotel Room Block
- Room rates are *$129 per room per night. Share a room and reduce your cost!
- Room block cut-off date: Jan. 9th
- Click here to book your group rate for KRPA Conference.
- For more information on the hotel room and directions, click here to visit Marriot website.
TRADE SHOW
With over 85 exhibitors, the Trade Show will be filled with the latest and best products, services and design solutions. Get hands-on with products, technology solutions, and more. Plus, this is your chance to network face-to-face with commercial vendors who will aid you in taking your department to the next level.
If that hasn't sold you, we partnered with a local animal shelter and Cunningham Recreation to bring in a Puppy Park with dogs to love on during this time.
2023 KRPA STUDENT SUMMIT
Come build your network at the Young Professionals Annual Student Summit. This summit is open to all students and young professionals. The robust schedule will include activities and opportunities to meet with professionals for career advice, professional development, practice interviews, and presentations relative to all. Plus, you receive the opportunity to attend the Conference Opening Session and Trade Show. Student registration is FREE if you have a KRPA student member ($15).
HYBRID LIVE/SILENT AUCTION
Start practicing your “yep” and personal signal/sign for this year’s KRPA hybrid live auction that we go along with our traditional silent auction. We are changing a few things this year by adding professional cowboy auctioneers (Nigro Brothers Auctioneers) to have a LIVE auction during the Wednesday night social for 10-15 hot ticket items. Our customary silent auction will be revised as well with the use of an online auction site- www.32auctions.com. More information to come.
The success of our auction depends on kick-butt auction items to sell. If you, your department, or your community has an action item to donate, please contact Smo at dsmothers@merriam.org and let me know the item description, item worth and a digital picture for the website.
NAYS (Pre-Conference)
The National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) will offer a special onsite Academy for Youth Sports Administrators for professionals pursuing the Certified Youth Sports Administrator (CYSA) credential. NAYS believes every community should have at least one CYSA overseeing organized youth sports programs. After a half-day of hands-on training, participants will complete the certification process via the Online Academy system. This allows participants to experience both the Onsite and Online Academy, have an opportunity to meet the NAYS Academy faculty and network with other youth sports professionals. Learn more about the NAYS program and how to register at www.krpa.org/nays.
Feedback from Conference Attendees
Why you should attend the KRPA Conference and Trade Show
I love attending conference because I come away with ideas that I can take back to my community. I encourage anyone to attend conference to meet other professionals and have a great time.
- Candi Fox, Winfield
I love connecting with people at conference, I get to see colleagues from across the state and hear what is going on with them, both professionally and personally.
- Janice Jewett, Pittsburg State University
Between the sessions, the networking, and opportunities to volunteer here and there at conference, I think it is all beneficial.
- Matt McClure, Baldwin
Contact Us
(785)235-6533
jamie@krpa.org
Follow us online
Top Page Photo Credit: Donna Daugherty on 7/23/2019 at Shawnee Mission Park Lake in Johnson County
