The IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference holds the unique distinction of being the largest state park and recreation conference in the nation. The conference brings together thousands of professionals, Commissioners, and elected officials from around the state for three exciting days of quality educational programming, networking, and professional development. Mark your calendars now and plan to join us at the Hyatt Regency Chicago next January for this exceptional event!
About The Conference /2022 Soaring to New Heights
2020 Conference Highlights
Images courtesy of Mitchell Franzen Photography and JHyde Photography © 2020
Keynote Speaker /Jason Benetti
January 29, 2021/4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Jason Benetti is a TV play-by-play announcer for ESPN and the Chicago White Sox. He joined ESPN in 2011 and has called college football and basketball for the network along with Major League Baseball, including the last three seasons of MLB playoffs. His assignments for ESPN Radio include NFL and MLB games along with college football.
Benetti joined the White Sox in 2016 and just finished his third season with the team.
Benetti graduated from Syracuse University in 2005 with bachelor’s degrees in broadcast journalism, economics and psychology. He then earned his Juris Doctor at Wake Forest School of Law in 2011.
The Illinois native is a spokesperson for the Cerebral Palsy Foundation, including a new animated campaign he and CPF launched in 2018, entitled Awkward Moments.
He has taught sports broadcasting and sports interviewing as an adjunct professor at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.
Illinois Association of Park Districts
211 E. Monroe Street
Springfield, IL 62701-1186
Phone: 217-523-4554
Illinois Park and Recreation Association
536 East Avenue
La Grange, IL 60525-6815
Phone: 708-588-2280