The NDRPA State Conference will be held in Minot Sept. 13-15. North Dakota park and recreation professionals are invited to gather with their peers from across the state for educational sessions and fun networking opportunities.

Download the full schedule.

 

REGISTRATION

Register online or, if you have a large group registration, submit the group registration form to the NDRPA office. The registration deadline is Aug. 26.

Please note: registration is open to government and nonprofit entities. Commercial organizations are invited to participate in the conference as an exhibitor. Please see exhibitor information below.

 

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR SMALL PARK BOARDS

NDRPA is pleased to announce five conference registration scholarships are available to park board commissioners or staff from park districts that have up to 2 full-time, year-round staff. The scholarship is limited to two people per park district and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. If a park district submits more than two scholarship requests, additional requests will be placed on a waiting list to be awarded after Aug. 19. To request a scholarship, contact the NDRPA office at 701-355-4458.

 

ACCOMMODATIONS

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Clarion Hotel in Minot. All the education sessions, the awards banquet and the exhibitor showcase will take place at the Clarion Hotel. The room block deadline is Aug. 22. Call 701-852-2504 to make reservations.

 

EXHIBIT HALL

NDRPA invites you to exhibit at the conference. Each exhibit booth fee includes a full conference pass, including all meals for one exhibitor representative.  Additional exhibitor passes are $80 each.  Exhibit hall space is limited to 29 booths and two equipment booths, also on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are interested in exhibiting, reserve your booth today!

 

EXHIBIT HALL DETAILS

Location:                   2200 E Burdick Expy, Minot, ND 58701

Exhibit Set-up:          Tues., Sept. 13       8-11 a.m. and 2-5 p.m. CT

Exhibit Schedule:     Wed., Sept. 14      7 a.m.-2 p.m. CT

Exhibit Tear-Down:   Wed., Sept. 14       2-4 p.m. CT

 

 

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Shannon McKain is a motivational speaker and workplace culture consultant from Texas with an expertise in emotional intelligence, communication and generational differences in the workforce. She assists companies and employees to create dramatic mindset shifts that help drive positive culture transformations within an organization. A former executive recruiter, Pryor Leadership Fellow, NFL Cheerleader and now keynote speaker for over a decade, Shannon has entertained and educated audiences around the world, receiving several accolades and awards throughout her career. She has keynoted and consulted for major corporations, associations and parks and recreation events including Garmin, GE Transportation, Tesla, Rubbermaid, MIT, National Parks and Recreation Directors and many more.

 

NDRPA APPAREL STORE

NDRPA promotional items such as insulated coffee mugs, t-shirts, jackets, hats, etc. are available for purchase in an online apparel store. 15% of proceeds will go to the NDRPA scholarship fund. Items will be delivered to the NDRPA State Conference. Deadline for apparel store orders is Aug. 21. Order today!

Thank you to the NDRPA Engagement Committee for coordinating this opportunity.

 

TUESDAY HIGHLIGHTS

There are several opportunities to enjoy Minot and the company of fellow professionals at the conference, including four activities on Tuesday afternoon.

It wouldn’t be the state conference without a golf tournament. Get ready to play the beautiful Souris Valley Golf Course.

The Downtown History & Spirits Walk features a stroll through Historic Downtown Minot once known as “Little Chicago”.  There will be stops for spirits and street art along the way.

Visit the beautiful Roosevelt Park Zoo, the oldest zoo in North Dakota, home to a variety of animals from lemurs to red pandas to reindeer, tucked amid beautiful landscapes and educational features.

Monday night’s social and dinner will take place at The Alley in downtown Minot.

 

RAFFLE ITEMS REQUESTED

This year’s conference will include a limited silent auction with a few select items and a raffle to raise funds for NDRPA scholarships. Each park district is encouraged to bring at least one raffle item valued at $50 or more.