2022 Annual Conference & Expo

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March 1 - 4, 2022

SPONSORS

DELEGATES

HOTEL INFORMATION

AWARDS & CITATIONS

University Plaza Hotel

& Convention Center

Springfield, MO

WEBINAR INFO

BACK FOR 2022!

MPRA Webinar Series

MPRA is offering an opportunity to virtually attend live educational sessions presented at the annual conference as a webinar series beginning April 28 through June 23, 2022.

EXHIBITORS

STUDENTS

HEALTH & SAFETY INFO

First time attending conference? Check out our first timers page!

FIRST TIMERS

2022 CONFERENCE SPONSORS

BECOME A SPONSOR

DELEGATES

If you are part of the parks and recreation industry we want to invite you to join us for a week packed with educational sessions, networking, and fun!

The 2022 MPRA Conference and Expo is just around the corner, and we are so excited for you to see what’s in store. We’ve brought together a unique and inspiring group of speakers, and our schedule is full of engaging events and meetups.

Don’t miss out!

Registration Form

Conference Sessions

Schedule at a Glance

City Basket Challenge

Hotel Information

Delegate Registration Opens . . . . . November 15, 2021

Early Bird Rates End . . . . . . . . . . . January 14, 2022

Delegate Late Fee Starts . . . . . . . . February 4, 2022

IMPORTANT DATES for Delegates

Conference Tours

NAYS Frontline Training

2022 Keynote Presenter

2022 KEYNOTE

Chad Pregracke | Living Lands & Waters

Chad Pregracke is the internationally named 2013 CNN Hero of the Year, founder and president of Living Lands & Waters; a nonprofit river cleanup organization, author, and professional public speaker. He is proof one person can make a difference.

Best known for starting out as a young man in East Moline, Illinois wanting a cleaner waterway, Chad has become the champion for the Mississippi River. Growing up on its banks, he worked as a commercial shell diver during his early years, experiencing the river from the bottom up. Sometimes spending 10 hours a day in the depths and current of the pitch-black waters, he crawled nearly 150 miles of the river bottom over six years. Chad saw its beauty and was frustrated by the neglect. At the age of 17, he decided to clean it up. Twenty-three years later, Chad and his Living Lands & Waters crew have organized and led over 1200 community cleanups on 23 rivers in 21 states and removed over 11 million pounds of garbage. Chad had an idea that evolved into a movement that has helped to restore one of America’s greatest icons, the Mississippi River.

Join us for Chad’s keynote presentation at the 2022 MPRA Conference and Expo, as Chad takes us out on one of the world’s greatest rivers – a journey filled with endless challenges and gripping adventures. His presentation is sure to be motivating, captivating, genuine, and refreshingly spontaneous.

Chad has been recognized by former President, George W. Bush as a national “Point of Light.” He received a standing ovation at the Kennedy Center from all four living former U.S. Presidents for his inspirational message on dreaming big, taking action, persevering, leading, and collaborating. He has been the keynote speaker for college graduations, business conferences and events, classrooms, nonprofit organizations, and more. Named “America’s Hardest Working Person” by Mitchum, Chad’s enthusiasm, sense of humor and passion amplifies his story and entertains audiences. Ultimately, his message inspires people to believe they can make a difference.

Registration Form

Expo Hall Layout

Schedule at a Glance

Silent Auction Opportunity

Hotel Information

This is your chance to showcase your business to parks and recreation professionals including representatives of nearly every municipal and county parks and recreation department in the state.

Additionally, administrative personnel from all levels of public, therapeutic, and commercial recreation will be present. Reserving your booth early will give you an advantage in choosing just the right space to maximize your exposure to delegates.

Exhibitor Registration Opens (Members Only) . . . . . November 1, 2021

Exhibitor Registration Opens For All . . . . . . . . . . . . . November 15, 2021

Early Bird Rates End . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . January 9, 2022

EXHIBITORS

IMPORTANT DATES for Exhibitors

The expo hall is sold out at this time, please email sarah@mopark.org if you are interested in space.

The MPRA Annual Conference & Expo is a great place for students to practice public speaking, meet future employers, and network with other students from around the state.

Student Registration Form

Conference Sessions

Schedule at a Glance

What is a Room Host?