10:00 am - 12:00 pm: Show Up & Show Off: Making Your Agency’s Story Stand Out (0.2 CEU’s)

Park and recreation professionals traditionally have relied on emotional appeals to justify services and spending, using statements such as, “Look what we do for the community,” “Children need a safe place to play,” or “The trees need to be saved.” While these points are valid and meaningful, the messaging must evolve to address the priorities and needs of decision-makers to ensure continued support for park and recreation initiatives. Effectively telling your agency’s story is essential in today’s competitive landscape for building strong relationships with stakeholders, participants and the community. This session, “Show Up and Show Off: Making Your Agency’s Story Stand Out,” will address the critical need for agencies to articulate their mission, values and impact clearly and compellingly. Participants will learn strategies for identifying key messages, utilizing various communication channels, and engaging their audience emotionally and intellectually. This session highlights the importance of storytelling in enhancing agency visibility, fostering trust and securing support. By mastering these techniques, agencies can ensure their stories resonate and drive positive outcomes for their programs, agencies and the communities that they serve.

1:00 - 3:00 pm: From Vision to Ribbon-Cutting: The Capital Project Playbook (0.2 CEU’s)

Capital projects don’t have to be intimidating or out of reach. Whether you’re a small municipal department with limited funding or navigating large-scale community initiatives, this session is designed to help you move projects from idea to implementation. We’ll explore the types of capital projects common in parks and recreation, strategies for identifying and prioritizing needs, and real-life examples from different sized agencies. Attendees will learn how to identify funding sources, close financial gaps, leverage partnerships, and use data-driven storytelling to influence decisionmakers. Leave with practical tools to advocate for your project, maximize your resources, and turn community vision into reality.