12 – Lessons, Trends & Opportunities: A Fireside Chat with National and State Leaders
Kristine Stratton, President & CEO, National Recreation and Park Association; Michael Kelly, General Superintendent & CEO, Chicago Park District; Debbie Trueblood, Executive Director, Illinois Park and Recreation Association
From COVID-19 to mass furloughs and economic upheaval to civil unrest, the past year has brought about seismic disruptions to the industry, unlike anything we've seen before. In the midst of these challenges, parks, recreation, special recreation, forest preserves and conservation agencies were able to carve out creative new ways to safely move forward and continue providing programs that are essential to the health and well-being of their communities. This resiliency in the face of adversity is among several key themes that will be explored as we sit down with IPRA’s Debbie Trueblood and special guests, Kristine Stratton, NRPA CEO and Michael Kelly, Chicago Park District CEO, for a look back over the past year and a look forward to the emerging trends and opportunities beginning to shape and define our future. Join us for this timely and informative discussion.
Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:
- Reflect on some of the lessons learned over the past year.
- Learn what current trends and opportunities lie ahead for the future of the field.
- Use information about national industry trends to make decisions at a local level.