IPRA Calendar
IPRA Calendar
CPRE Discounted Exam Registration
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) certification establishes a national standard for managerial, administrative, and executive park and recreation professionals. This is a nationally accredited mastery-level certificate, and ...
CPRP Discounted Exam Registration
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) is a national certification program through the National Recreation and Park Association, and it is designed for park and recreation professionals that wish to put their career on the path to ...
Inclusion Committee Meeting
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Located within IPRA's Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Section, the Inclusion Committee consists of a group of special recreation professionals that either specialize or work in and around inclusion services. The meeting will consist of networking opportunities
Lunch & Learn: Responsible AI in Action: Policy, Ethics, and Data Integrity
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
This Lunch & Learn session explores how park and recreation professionals can navigate the responsible use of AI while protecting data integrity, privacy, and transparency. Participants will gain a clear understanding ...
CPRE Virtual Exam Prep - Operations
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
The fifth of six in a series of virtual classes designed to prepare individuals for the National Recreation and Park Association's Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) exam. This class will provide attendees with an intensive review ...
Youth & Day Camp Committee Meeting (TR)
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Located within IPRA's Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Section, the Youth & Day Camp Committee consists of a group of professionals that either specialize or work in and around camps at special recreation agencies. If you are interested in joining the committe
CPRP Virtual Exam Prep - Operations
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
The fifth of six in a series of virtual classes designed to prepare individuals for the National Recreation and Park Association's Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) exam. This class will provide attendees with an intensive ...
'26 Financial Sustainability Certificate Program - Part I
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
The Financial Sustainability Certification Program is designed to enhance and accelerate career growth for park, recreation, and conservation professionals.
CPRE Virtual Exam Prep - Planning
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
The last of six in a series of virtual classes designed to prepare individuals for the National Recreation and Park Association's Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) exam. This class will provide attendees with an intensive review of ...
Inter-Agency Sports Committee Meeting: Softball Scheduling & Soccer Seeding
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Located within IPRA's Recreation (TR) Section, the Inter-Agency Sports Committee consists of a group of professionals that specialize or work in and around Therapeutic Recreation Athletic programs. This meeting we will discuss basketball ...
Bring Your Umbrella - Forecasting as a Skill
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
In parks and recreation, surprises are inevitable—but being unprepared doesn’t have to be.
CPRP Virtual Exam Prep - Programming
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
The last of six in a series of virtual classes designed to prepare individuals for the National Recreation and Park Association's Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) exam. This class will provide attendees with an intensive review ...
SDWS : Building a Learning Organization
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Successful teams don’t happen by chance—they thrive in environments that accelerate competence and encourage continuous growth.
Aquatics Committee Roundtable: Summer Kickoff
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Located within IPRA's Facility Management (FM) Section, the Aquatic Committee consists of a group of park district professionals that either specialize or work in and around Aquatic Facilities. If you are interested in joining the committee or simply wish
Supervisor Symposium
8:45 AM - 3:15 PM
Hosted by IPRA's Recreation (REC) Section, Supervisor Symposium celebrates its 24th year in providing students and professionals in parks, recreation, conservation, and forest preserves a curriculum that builds a strong foundation of basic skills needed
** Canceled ** Early Childhood Committee Meeting
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Located within IPRA's Recreation (REC) Section, the Early Childhood Committee consists of a group of park district professionals that either specialize or work in and around early childhood programs. If you are interested in joining the ...
Sponsorship Committee Roundtable: Foundations at Every Stage: New Beginnings, Sustained Impact, and Endings
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Hosted by IPRA's Communications & Marketing (C&M) Section, Sponsorship Committee covers all the current topics and trends regarding sponsorship and partnership in the parks and recreation field. If you are interested in joining the C&M Section or simply w
Lunch & Learn: Access for All - ADA and WCAG Compliance
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Equitable digital experiences, such as ensuring website compliance with accessibility in mind, is critical to providing information, communication, and resources to all. Join My Rec as they breakdown Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 require
Senior Committee Meeting
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Located within IPRA's Recreation (REC) Section, the Senior Committee consists of a group of park district professionals that serve older adults. If you are interested in joining the committee or simply wish to attend for educational and networking purpose
ProConnect: The Magic of Mentorship - Sustaining the Circle of Mentorship
Triads step into the heart of the journey and focus on sustaining the circle of mentorship—parks, recreation, and conservation style.
Communication Pathways and Their Purpose
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Not every message belongs in the same channel—and not every audience needs the same level of detail.
SDWS : Building a Learning Organization
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Successful teams don’t happen by chance—they thrive in environments that accelerate competence and encourage continuous growth.
IPRA Open House
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
IPRA Members are welcome to stop by anytime to say hello, take a tour of our new office, and meet the IPRA team. Light refreshments will be provided — just pop in when you can! Please register by April 13 so we know how many to expect.
Adult Day Program Committee Meeting
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Located within IPRA's Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Section, the Adult Day Program Committee consists of a group of special recreation professionals that either specialize or work in and around Adult Day Programming. The meeting will consist of opportunities
Safe Zone Conversation: Stories We Tell: Identity, Language, & Inclusive Communication
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
You are invited to participate in IPRA's first member-wide Safe Zone Conversation of 2026, on the topic of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB).
Recreation Section Joint Committee Meeting
9:30 AM - 1:45 PM
IPRA's Recreation (REC) Section consists of professionals that either specialize or work in and around athletics, special events, seniors, teens, early childhood, and camps. The Board Meeting will mainly consist of reports from the Section ...
'26 Diversity Education Institute
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
This year's program brings together an exciting mix of sessions designed to spark innovation, strengthen workplace culture, and elevate inclusive recreation across every level of your agency.
Lunch & Learn: Canada Geese in IL: Common Problems, Questions, and Solutions
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Between turf destruction, territorial attitudes, and unwelcome "gifts" left on our grass and sidewalk, the presence of protected Canadian geese disrupts park usage.
From Peer to Power Dynamic - Setting New Boundaries
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Moving from “one of the team” to “the one leading the team” can be one of the toughest transitions in management.
Park Pursuit 2026: Get Your Kicks on Route 66
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
The 19th Annual Park Pursuit, hosted by IPRA's Recreation (REC) Section, is modeled after the Emmy Award-winning reality television series 'The Amazing Race'. The event provides park district professionals with the opportunity to engage in a half-day race
ProConnect: The Magic of Mentorship - Lights, Camera, Action!
This final event brings the triad brings the triad mentorship story to center stage—parks, recreation, and conservation style!
SDWS : Doing More with Less - Collaboration Is the Key to Success
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Budget cuts, staffing shortages, and growing community needs are realities for many park and recreation professionals. The good news? Collaboration can turn limited resources into expanded impact.
Reframing Problems as Positives - Changing Perspective
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Leadership is as much about mindset as it is about skillset.
Early Childhood Committee Meeting
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Located within IPRA's Recreation (REC) Section, the Early Childhood Committee consists of a group of park district professionals that either specialize or work in and around early childhood programs. If you are interested in joining the ...
Cultural Arts Committee Meeting
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Located within IPRA's Recreation (REC) Section, the Cultural Arts Committee consists of a group of park district professionals that either specialize or work in and around dance, music, theatre, and visual arts. If you are ...
SDWS : Doing More with Less - Collaboration Is the Key to Success
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Budget cuts, staffing shortages, and growing community needs are realities for many park and recreation professionals. The good news? Collaboration can turn limited resources into expanded impact.
New Professionals Committee Meeting
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Located within IPRA's Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Section, the New Professionals Committee consists of new professionals that have been in the field of therapeutic recreation for five (5) years or less. If you are interested in joining the ...
SDWS : Breaking Down Barriers: Understanding and Addressing Ableism in Customer Service
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
More than one in four Americans lives with a disability — some visible, many not. Yet ableism, or bias against people with disabilities, often appears in ways we don’t even recognize
SDWS : Breaking Down Barriers: Understanding and Addressing Ableism in Customer Service
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
More than one in four Americans lives with a disability — some visible, many not. Yet ableism, or bias against people with disabilities, often appears in ways we don’t even recognize
SDWS : Critical Thinking: Making Decisions That Stick
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Practical thinking requires curiosity, perspective, and new approaches to problem-solving. The good news? Critical thinking is a skill anyone can learn.
8th Annual Unplug Illinois Day
The 8th Annual Unplug Illinois Day is Saturday, July 11, 2026 – join park, recreation, and conservation agencies state-wide in planning an event to highlight the programs and facilities that make your community thrive! Unplug Illinois promotes the ...
SDWS : Critical Thinking: Making Decisions That Stick
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Practical thinking requires curiosity, perspective, and new approaches to problem-solving. The good news? Critical thinking is a skill anyone can learn.
SDWS : Building Trust & Collaboration Across Generations
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
In today’s parks and recreation teams, five generations work side by side — each bringing unique strengths, values, and communication styles.
SDWS : Building Trust & Collaboration Across Generations
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
In today’s parks and recreation teams, five generations work side by side — each bringing unique strengths, values, and communication styles.
Park District Conservation Day
Park District Conservation Day began in 1994 as a special recognition day for Illinois park districts, forest preserves, conservation districts, recreation, and special recreation agencies. Agencies send dance groups, bands, chorales, theater groups, ...
Cultural Arts Committee Meeting
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Located within IPRA's Recreation (REC) Section, the Cultural Arts Committee consists of a group of park district professionals that either specialize or work in and around dance, music, theatre, and visual arts. If you are ...
SDWS : Staying Positive in a Negative World: Practical Strategies for Leading with Calm, Credibility, and Optimism
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
In an era of constant change, conflict, and public scrutiny, maintaining a positive outlook can be one of a leader’s greatest challenges — and most powerful tools.
SDWS: Staying Positive in a Negative World: Practical Strategies for Leading with Calm, Credibility, and Optimism
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
In an era of constant change, conflict, and public scrutiny, maintaining a positive outlook can be one of a leader’s greatest challenges — and most powerful tools.
Illinois Delegate Reception @ NRPA 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Join us in Philadelphia! On September 30, 2026, IPRA and IAPD are co-hosting our annual Illinois Delegate Reception during the NRPA Annual Conference. Complimentary appetizers and soft drinks will be provided; a cash bar available.
SDWS : Keep Cool Under Pressure
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Amid uncertainty and rising public incivility, maintaining composure has never been more essential for today’s professionals.
SDWS : Keep Cool Under Pressure
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Amid uncertainty and rising public incivility, maintaining composure has never been more essential for today’s professionals.
SDWS : The Bison Principle: Courage, Clarity, and Stewardship
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
When storms approach, bison don’t run away—they face the wind and move through it together. The Bison Principle applies that instinct to the challenges of modern public service.
SDWS : The Bison Principle: Courage, Clarity, and Stewardship
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
When storms approach, bison don’t run away—they face the wind and move through it together. The Bison Principle applies that instinct to the challenges of modern public service.
SDWS : Shift Happens! Building Resilient Systems for a Changing Future
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
The pace and scale of change today are unlike anything we've experienced before. Economic volatility, demographic diversification, technological acceleration, and environmental disruption are reshaping the landscape of public service.
SDWS : Shift Happens! Building Resilient Systems for a Changing Future
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
The pace and scale of change today are unlike anything we've experienced before. Economic volatility, demographic diversification, technological acceleration, and environmental disruption are reshaping the landscape of public service.