Registration | Schedule Keynote Speaker | Golf Tournament | Pickleball Tournament and Clinic | Travel Info | Sponsor & Exhibit | Attendee Experience | Socials | Student and Emerging Professional Networking Dinner | Know Before You Go

 

SCHEDULE 

The WRPA Conference Committee has put together a program filled with informative sessions and interacting socials for the WRPA 2025 Conference & Tradeshow at Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick, WA. We encourage you to take a moment to review the schedule-at-a-glance and detailed session descriptions.

TuesdayWednesday | Thursday | Friday

*This schedule is subject to change

PRE-CON TUESDAY, MAY 13
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM  Registration Desk | Foyer
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Show Me The Equity: From Planning to Impact | Meeting Room A

($65 Add-On to Conference Registration)

($150 Standalone Registration)

The Show Me The Equity: From Planning to Impact workshop is designed to raise awareness and provide actionable strategies to center equity and inclusivity in event planning and execution. This interactive session encourages participants to examine the importance of belonging in creating meaningful and transformative event experiences. Through discussions, and collaborative activities, attendees will explore the challenges faced by underrepresented groups and learn effective practices for designing inclusive and accessible events. By the end of the workshop, participants will be equipped with practical tools to ensure equity is at the heart of their event planning and execution.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this session, you will be able to;

  • Define key equity-related terms and explain their relevance in the event planning process.
  • Identify strategies to incorporate equity into pre-event activities, mitigating the impact of implicit bias.
  • Develop an action plan for implementing equitable practices in future events and evaluating their effectiveness.
  • Create strategies to ensure equity, accessibility and inclusivity throughout the event planning process.
Karen Foster, Event Producer and Social Equity Strategist

Karen Foster is an Event Producer and Social Equity Strategist, and the visionary Founder of KF Curates, an Event Strategy, Execution, and Consulting Agency. With a passion for creating inclusive and transformative experiences, Karen partners with purpose-driven organizations to design events that drive meaningful change and foster authentic spaces of belonging. Through her signature workshop,“Show Me The Equity! From Planning to Impact,” she equips event professionals with the tools and strategies to integrate equity into every aspect of their work, empowering them to create systemic change and inspire lasting impact.

 Primary TagAdministration & Business Practices

       Secondary Tag: Inclusion

11:15 AM - 5:30 PM

TOUR: Walla Walla Public Spaces & Wine Tour

Cost: $50

You can register for this activities during your main conference registration, or contact us at [email protected] to sign up separately.

11:45 AM - 2:00 PM or 2:15 PM - 4:30 PM

TOUR: Bike with a Ranger! Exploring the “Secret City” History of Richland

Cost: $25 - If you need a bike rental | $15 – if you bring your own bike

You can register for this activities during your main conference registration, or contact us at [email protected] to sign up separately.

12:00 PM - 2:00 PM or 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM

TOUR: G.A. Pehrson Urban Greenbelt Trail Walking Tour

Cost: FREE

You can register for this activities during your main conference registration, or contact us at [email protected] to sign up separately.

12:00 PM – 4:30 PM

Golf Tournament

Hole Sponsored by Great Western Recreation

 

12:45 PM – Arrive at Playground of Dreams

1:00 PM -1:45 PM – Tour

TOUR: Kason’s Corner: Transforming Spaces for Inclusive Play Tour

Cost: FREE

You can register for this activities during your main conference registration, or contact us at [email protected] to sign up separately.

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Tuesday Night Social: HUB & GRUB

Date and Time: Tuesday, May 13 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Summers HUB of Kennewick
Address: 6481 W Skagit Ave, Kennewick, WA 99336 – Transportation NOT provided

Sponsored by Kaizen and Romtec 

     

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DAY 1 WEDNESDAY, MAY 14
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Registration Desk Foyer
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM

Welcome Address, Annual Meeting, and Opening Keynote: Michael Novakovich (Making Vitality Your Reality) | Great Hall AC

 Primary TagLeadership & Staff Management

        Secondary Tag: Wellness

10:15 AM — 11:00 AM

Morning Tradeshow Break Great Hall BD

Sponsored by AHBL

10:15 AM — 10:30 AM The Bridges Program Meet Up | Foyer
10:30 AM — 11:00 AM Student and Emerging Professional Conference Prep | Meeting Room H
11:00 AM —12:15 PM 

Breakout Session Block 1

 

1A: Journey Mapping: Small Steps for Big Impacts to Equitable and Inclusive Parks

Speaker: Brice Maryman, Karen Braitmayer, and Amanda Bailey

Location: Meeting Room EF

 CEU: 0.1

  Primary TagResource Management & Maintenance

        Secondary Tag: Inclusion


1B: Conversational AI - Unlocking Its Potential and Productivity

Speaker: Jen Wills

Location: Meeting Room C

 CEU: 0.1

 Primary TagAdministration & Business Practices

       Secondary Tag: Technology



1C: Pickleball Policy for Inclusive Play

Speaker: Marianne Johnson

Location: Meeting Room D

 CEU0.1

 Primary Tag: Programming 

       Secondary Tag: Wellness


1D: A Safe Space for Play: Consent and Boundaries in Recreation

Speakers: Billie Hassebrock and Mary Boyle

Location: Meeting Room A

 CEU0.1

 Primary Tag: Administration & Business Practices

       Secondary Tag: Programming


1E: Preparing for Success: Securing the Interview

Speakers: DJ Mackie and Kylee Ashley

Location: Meeting Room B

 CEU0.1

 Primary TagLeadership & Staff Management

       Secondary Tag: Career Development


1F: The ABCDs of an Extraordinary Workplace: Accessibility, Belonging, Culture & Diversity

Speakers: Michael Novakovich

Location: Meeting Room G

 CEU: 0.1

 Primary Tag: Leadership & Staff Management

       Secondary Tag: Inclusion


1G. Riding the Rapids: Mastering Risk and Adaptability in Uncharted Waters 

Speakers: Shelley Roberts

Location: Meeting Room H

 CEU0.1

 Primary TagAdministration & Business Practices

       Secondary Tag: Risk Management

12:15 —
1:30 PM

Lunch Break (Lunch will be provided)

Location: Great Hall 

1:30 PM —
2:45 PM
 

Breakout Session Block 2

2A: Neighborhood Parks as a Model for Growing Urban Forestry Programs

Speaker: Michael Sanborn, Larry Villegas, and Joanna Martin

Location: Meeting Room EF

 CEU0.1

 Primary TagResource Management & Maintenance

       Secondary Tag: Arboriculture


2B: Managing Volunteer Programs: Developing Guidelines for Staff and Volunteers

Speaker: Jennifer Newton and Colin Wick

Location: Meeting Room C

 CEU0.1

 Primary Tag: Leadership & Staff Management

       Secondary Tag: Volunteer


2C: Social Emotional Wellness & Inclusion in Recreation

Speaker: Mary Boyle and Stacy Stenslie

Location: Meeting Room D

 CEU0.1

 Primary Tag: Programming
       Secondary Tag: Wellness


2D: Let's Ride! Building a Bike Program in Your Community

Speaker: Kevin Witte and Kjerstin Lange

Location: Meeting Room A

 CEU0.1

 Primary Tag: Programming
       Secondary Tag: Wellness

2E:​ Interview Like a Pro: Skill Development

Speaker: DJ Mackie and Kylee Ashley

Location: Meeting Room B

 CEU0.1

 Primary TagLeadership & Staff Management
       Secondary Tag: Career Development

2F: Tell Your Story through Data Visualization

Speaker: Amy Johnson and Jay Kim

Location: Meeting Room G

 CEU0.1

 Primary Tag: Administration & Business Practices
       Secondary Tag: Outreach & Engagement

2G: Safe Havens: Reinventing Park Safety, Security and Risk Management

Speaker: Pete Mayer, William Overby, and Fred Ramey

Location: Meeting Room H

 CEU: 0.1

 Primary Tag: Administration & Business Practices

       Secondary Tag: Risk Management
2:45 PM —
3:30 PM

Afternoon Tradeshow Break | Great Hall BD

Sponsored by AHBL

3:30 PM —
4:45 PM
 
Breakout Session Block 3

3A: Beyond ADA: Making Accessibility Inclusive

Speakers: Vinita Sidhu, Paige Reischl, and Clayton Beaudoin
Location: Meeting Room EF
 CEU0.1
 Primary Tag: Administration & Business Practices
       Secondary Tag: Park Planning


3B: Instagram Balancing Act: Creating Content that Informs AND Engages

Speaker: Christina Hirsch and Rachel Schulkin
Location: Meeting Room C
 CEU0.1
 Primary Tag: Outreach & Engagement
       Secondary Tag: Technology 


3C: Becoming a Parks and Recreation Director: Panel Discussion

Speaker: Nick Farline, Jennifer Wills, Dave Johnson, and Jesse Rice
Moderator: Brandon Lange
Location: Meeting Room D
 CEU0.1
 Primary Tag: Leadership & Staff Management
       Secondary Tag: Career Development

3D: Summer Teen Late Nights: More than a Drop-in Program

Speaker: Sheryl Blessing, Bao Huong Doan, and Marycruz Talavera Chevez
Location: Meeting Room A
 CEU0.1
 Primary Tag: Programming
       Secondary Tag: Teens

3E: The Vital Role of Park Rangers in Urban Spaces

Speakers: Matt Navarro
Location: Meeting Room B
 CEU0.1
 Primary TagAdministration & Business Practices
       Secondary Tag: Park Rangers


3F: Creating Connection through Emotional Intelligence Principles

Speaker: Katie Anderson

Location: Meeting Room G

 CEU: 0.1

 Primary Tag: Leadership & Staff Management
       Secondary Tag: Staff Development

3G: Guardians of Play: Preventing Child Abuse in Recreation

Speakers: Jefri Peters

Location: Meeting Room H

 CEU0.1

 Primary TagAdministration & Business Practices

       Secondary Tag: Risk Management
5:00 PM — 6:00 PM
Student and Emerging Professional Networking Dinner | Great Hall AC
6:00 PM — 9:00 PM
Wednesday Sponsored Social: GLOW WILD – The Ultimate Adult Glow Party
Date and Time: Wednesday, May 14 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Location: Numerica Pavilion, City of Kennewick | Transportation provided
Address:
 2901 Southridge Blvd, Kennewick, WA 99338

Sponsored by Great Western Recreation

  

DAY 2 THURSDAY, MAY 15
7:00 AM

WRPA Annual Conference Run Club [totally-not-a-race] 5K w/Jen Wills

Location: Main Entrance of Three Rivers Convention Center
Description: Lace up those sneakers and join one of WRPA’s most spirited members (and proud pastpast-President), Jen Wills—City Manager of Longview—for a not-so-serious, definitely-not-Olympic morning 5K jog!

Meet Jen at 7:00 AM sharp outside the main entrance of the Three Rivers Convention Center, where there will bejust enough stretching to feel virtuous before she leads you on a mystery loop of her choosing. The route is about 5K, give or take a few extra turns, and the pace? Totally up to you—whether you’re chasing a personal best or just chasing coffee.

Bring a buddy and join Jen for some early morning motion. Don’t make her jog alone… though let’s be honest, she will anyway.

8:00 AM–6:00 PM

Registration Desk | Foyer

8:00 AM–9:00 AM 

Visit with Exhibitors | Great Hall BD

9:00 AM—10:15 AM       

Breakout Session Block 4

4A: Restorative Leadership

Speaker: Joanna Martin

Location: Meeting Room EF

 CEU0.1

4B: Through Their Eyes: Gen Z’s Vision for Parks and Recreation Careers

Speaker: DJ Mackie and Chris Waite

Location: Meeting Room C

 CEU0.1

4C: Title VI Foundations: Removing Barriers and Enhancing Equity (Virtual)

Speaker: Joy Misako St. Germain and Kristi Oosterveen

Location: Meeting Room D

 CEU0.1

4D: Better Recreation through Collaboration

Speaker: Michelle Haffner and Julie Piper

Location: Meeting Room A

 CEU0.1

4E: Engaging Camp Staff: A Fresh Approach to Training

Speaker: Carmen Murrell and Amanda Zollner

Location: Meeting Room B

 CEU0.1

4F: Everyday Leadership: Promoting A Shared Values System for Your Agency

Speaker: Aisha Panas and Sabrina Taylor Schmitt

Location: Meeting Room G

 CEU0.1

4G: Blueprints for Safety: Mastering Facilities Management for Recreation

Speaker: Amanda Bley Kuehn and Shawn Christie

Location: Meeting Room H

 CEU: 0.1


10:15 AM—10:45 AM

Morning Tradeshow Break Great Hall BD

10:45 AM—12:00 PM      

Breakout Session Block 5

5B: Inclusion of All Sizes: Designing Inclusive Play for Every Budget

Speaker: Jill Moore and Ariel Mansholt

Location: Meeting Room C

 CEU: 0.1

5C: Where the Street Ends! Finding and Leveraging Hidden Parks

Speaker: Guy Michaelsen, Lily Daniels, and Omar Akkari

Location: Meeting Room D

 CEU: 0.1

5D: Student Conservation Corps, Youth Employment for Neurodiverse Teens

Speaker: Cody Ogren and Morgan Houk

Location: Meeting Room A

 CEU: 0.1

5E: Aquatic Safety Plan: Mitigating Risks and Ensuring Safety

Speaker: Johnathan Nies

Location: Meeting Room B

 CEU: 0.1

5F: From Request to Delivery: A Practical Guide to Accommodations

Speaker: Katt Merilo

Location: Meeting Room G

 CEU: 0.1

5G: Elevating Your Recreation and Event Management Programs Through a Risk Management Lens

Speaker: Amanda Bley Kuehn and Jefri Peters

Location: Meeting Room H

 CEU: 0.1


12:00 PM—1:30 PM

Lunch Break (Lunch will be provided) | Great Hall 

1:30 PM—2:45 PM

Breakout Session Block 6

 

6A: IRONMAN 70.3 Tri-Cities: Engaging our Community by Hosting an Iconic Event

Speaker: Kevin Lewis, Julie Piper, and Bryan Mayes

Location: Meeting Room EF

 CEU: 0.1

 

6B: Rewriting the Script: Defining Boundaries and Mastering Your Inner Critics

Speaker: Joshua Green

Location: Meeting Room C

 CEU: 0.1

 

6C: Lead with Dreams: Realizing Opportunity-Driven Projects

Speaker: Guy Michaelsen, Paul Simmons, and Garret Jones

Location: Meeting Room D

 CEU: 0.1

 

6D: Wildland Fire Fuels Reduction on City of Spokane Parks Land

Speaker: Nick Jeffries

Location: Meeting Room A

 CEU: 0.1

 

6E: Learning and Improving from Lifeguard Audits

Speaker: Johnathan Nies

Location: Meeting Room B

 CEU: 0.1

 

6F: The BUILD Strategy: A 5-Step Guide to Team Cohesion and Effectiveness

Speaker: Kelly Melroy and Corey Crownhart

Location: Meeting Room G

 CEU: 0.1

 

6G: Risk Management Leadership: From Risk to Possibility

Speaker: Shelley Roberts

Location: Meeting Room H

 CEU: 0.1


2:45 PM—3:00 PM

Afternoon Break | Lobby

3:00 PM—4:15 PM

WRPA Network Meetings

5:00 PM—7:00 PM

2025 WRPA Awards Banquet | Great Hall AC

7:00 PM—10:00 PM

Thursday Night Social: The Time Traveler’s Bash 

Reach Museum, Kennewick - 1943 Columbia Park Trail, Richland, WA 99352
(Transportation provided; pick up outside in front of convention center)

 

DAY 3 FRIDAY, MAY 16
8:30 AM–9:30 AM Registration Desk | Foyer
9:00 AM–10:00 AM CLOSING KEYNOTE ADDRESS

Breaking the Silence: Transforming Negative Voices into Empowerment

Speaker: Joshua Green

Location: Meeting Room ABC

11:00 AM–12:30 PM

POST CON TOUR: Richland’s Wartime Houses

*Meet at Jefferson Park