With over 4,500 park and recreation professionals, students, elected officials and supporters attending the Soaring To New Heights Conference, one of the best things you can do for yourself is network. You never know who you’ll meet at conference who could someday really help you out in a pinch. Bring plenty of business cards and a willingness to talk with others just like you.

One of the great benefits of working in the field of parks and recreation is our willingness to share ideas with one another. The more people you know the more you’ll learn.

You won’t want to miss the opportunity to network with your fellow commissioners, professionals and colleagues from across the state in the newly designed Conference Café. The networking lounge is located on the lower level in the Northeast Exhibit Hall.

Conference Conversations
Don’t miss out on this exciting new component! Grab a cup of coffee in the Conference Café and join a casual round table conversation with your colleagues about whatever topics and issues are on your mind. Do you need help or ideas on a certain issue? Do you have a success story to share? Did you hear something in a session or workshop that sparked more questions in your mind? Bring all those things and more to the table and make the very most of conference and time with your fellow professionals.

Cyber Café
You won’t want to miss the new and improved Cyber Café! Keeping up with technology, Cyber Café is back. You will be able to check your e-mail, navigate park and recreation agency Web sites and learn more about your state associations’ sites.

Hours Available:
Thursday, January 29 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Friday, January 30 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday, January 31 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Special thanks to Sikich LLP, proud sponsor of the Cyber Café.

Silent Auction
The Illinois Park and Recreation Foundation, in conjunction with the IPRA College and University Relations Committee, once again will conduct the Silent Auction located in the Conference Café. Conference delegates will have the opportunity to bid on such items as weekend get-a-ways, tickets to sporting events and golf packages. The auction is an easy way to purchase valuable services and products for yourself and your agency. Proceeds from the auction will support student scholarships in Illinois.

Agency Showcase and Student Poster Presentations will also be included in the Conference Café.

And, don’t miss the usual Thursday Evening and Saturday Evening Socials!