Parks departments directors, program directors and employees added to their repertory of skills and knowledge at the National Recreation and Parks annual conference in Charlotte, N.C., in October. (Photo by Diana Likens)

The annual conference of park and recreation professionals, the National Recreation and Parks Association Congress 2014, drew hundreds to the Charlotte Convention Center Oct. 14–16.
In the very interactive exhibit hall, attendees could participate in an “EXPOdition” scavenger hunt. Also featured in the display area were dozens of opportunities for hands-on learning and to interact directly with speakers at the Learning Playground, in learning labs and during exhibit hall discussion sessions.

Popular topics of discussion during the conference included the rapid spread of dog parks across the country, pesticide use, volunteering and ideas for programming for specific ages, ethnicity and underserved groups. A number of attendees took advantage of opportunities to tour the local Mecklenburg County Park attractions and hung out at a Nascar-themed tailgate event that took place on Tuesday.

Next year’s congress will head to Las Vegas Sept. 15–17. The Municipal and nrpa would love to meet you there! Check on www.nrpa.org.

After browsing the exhibition hall, NRPA attendees engaged in tours and get-togethers and had access to a large number of educational sessions during the three-day conference. (Photo by Diana Likens)