The president and CEO of NRPA, Kristine Stratton, recently issued a statement announcing the cancellation of the 2020 NRPA Annual Conference. Stratton cited the safety and wellbeing of the park and recreation community was a driving influence in the decision. She continued by explaining the association's proactive approach to the pandemic in actively searching for recommendations and updates from experts and leading organizations. Their understanding of the necessity to practice social distancing conflicted with the event's anticipated attendance of approximately 8000 park and recreation professionals. This conflict led to the evaluation and ultimate choice to cancel the physical gathering.

 

The conference boasts a long-standing history of over 50 years, and NRPA is proud of its self-proclaimed premier annual meeting of the park and recreation community. This year's conference was slated to begin on October 27th in Orlando, Florida, and take place over three days with about 400 exhibitors. Stratton's statement went on to say that NRPA is diligently looking to change the conference's delivery into a purely virtual experience. In this way, NRPA is prioritizing park and recreational professionals' growth and development without risking their health. NRPA expressed confidence in its ability to have a strong delivery for attendees to view product spotlights, demonstrations, and to be able to network with other industry professionals.

In a notice they addressed to their current exhibitors, they communicated their ability to exercise flexibility in the investments made by those organizations and individuals. Consequently, they offered three options concerning those funds. NRPA is allowing the exhibitors to decide between deferring those funds to a future offering, donating some or all of them, or requesting a full refund. Updates are coming, and we will report them as they do, but for now, NRPA is very optimistic about their 2020 conference.

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