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'26 Communications & Marketing Summit

September 22, 2026 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM (CDT)

Description

In today’s environment, park, recreation and conservation professionals have more opportunities than ever to shape how their agencies are understood, valued, and remembered by the communities they serve. Hosted by IPRA’s Communications & Marketing (C&M) Section, this year’s C&M Summit focuses on the power of storytelling to build connection, strengthen trust, and create a positive public image for your agency.

Through four practical sessions, attendees will explore how stories can be brought to life through short-form video, the principles of meaningful storytelling, internal communications, and strategic marketing campaigns. Presenters will share real-world approaches for identifying meaningful stories, developing authentic messages, engaging staff and community voices, and using multiple platforms to highlight the people, programs, places, and impact that define an agency’s brand.

Whether you are responsible for marketing, public relations, administration, programming, community engagement, or internal communications, this summit will provide ideas and tools you can use to tell your agency’s story more clearly, consistently, and creatively. Join us for a full-day learning experience designed to help your organization communicate its value, celebrate its community, and strengthen its brand in the eyes of the public.

Registration deadline is Tuesday, September 15, 2026.


Location

Garden Terrace at the Pavilion, Elk Grove Park District, 1000 Wellington Ave in Elk Grove


Who Should Attend

Designed for communications, marketing, public relations, administration, programming, and community engagement professionals at park districts, special recreation and conservation agencies, and forest preserve districts who want to tell their agency’s story more clearly and creatively to build trust, strengthen community connections, and enhance their public image.


Food / Beverage

Registration includes morning coffee, light breakfast and lunch.


CEUs

Program is approved for 0.4 CEUs.



 Schedule Time
 Breakfast / Coffee Networking 9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
 Session 1 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
 Session 2 10:40 a.m. - 11:40 a.m.
 Lunch 11:50 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
 Session 3 12:45 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
 Session 4  2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.


Interested in Sponsoring?
There are 3 levels of sponsorship opportunities available for interested organizations. Click 'Sponsor Registration' at the top of the page or click here to access IPRA's full sponsorship prospectus.


Pricing

$85 IPRA Professional Member

$125 Non-Member

Students are FREE!

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Contact Information

Fox Valley Park District
Name: Katie Garrett
Phone: (630) 897-0516
Email: kgarrett@fvpd.net
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