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Annual Conference & Expo

Arizona Parks and Recreation Association

76th Anniversary Conference & Expo

 

Phoenix Convention Center - South Building

August 31 - September 2, 2026

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Presented by Dave Bang Associates

The APRA Annual Conference is the only annual meeting of the parks and recreation community in the state of Arizona. Held annually, the beloved APRA Conference and Expo hosts professionals, students and those with business interests in the areas of parks, recreation, conservation, and open spaces, for three days of discovery and industry innovation.

The Conference experience offers education sessions covering broad range of topics and presented by prominent speakers on local, state and national levels; a state-of-the-art Exhibit Hall.

The conference includes a wide variety of educational sessions covering a broad range of issues on a local, state and national level. We will host prominent speakers, state-of-the-art related exhibit hall, informative and interactive workshops, tours, socials, golf tournament and much more.

APRA has pricing for Early Bird, Member and Non-Member, and discounts available to volunteers and speakers.

 76th Annual Conference Registration

Registration for APRA's 76th Annual Conference and Expo is open as of May 1, 2026. See the timelines and specific pricing below and click 'Register for Conference' to register.

Early Bird Rate

May 1, 2026 - May 31, 2026

Full Conference:

$475 member/$600 non-member

Single Day:

$300 member/$375 non-member

 

Standard Rate

June 1, 2026 - July 31, 2026

Full Conference:

$525 member/$650 non-member

Single Day:

$325 member/$400 non-member

 

Discounted Rate

May 1, 2026 - July 31, 2026

Full Conference:

$100 student/$350 volunteer

Single Day:

$50 student/$200 volunteer

Conference Links

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Schedule of Events

Sunday

Evening:

Golf Tournament

Monday

Morning:

Maintenance Rodeo

Off-site Institutes

Afternoon:

TEAMS Roundtables

Open Space

Evening:

Best of the Best Awards Banquet

Pre-Conference Social

Tuesday

Morning:

General Session

Education Breakout Sessions

Exhibit Hall

Afternoon:

Education Breakout Sessions

Exhibit Hall

Evening:

Future Professionals Social

Directors Social

Conference Social

Wednesday

Morning:

Education Breakout Sessions

Exhibit Hall

Afternoon:

Education Breakout Sessions

Exhibit Hall

Meet our General Session Speaker

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Anthony Robles

Anthony Robles 

Anthony Robles, keynote speaker at the APRA 76th Annual Conference and Expo, is a 3-time All-American wrestler and the 2011 NCAA Division I National Champion whose story of resilience and determination has inspired millions. A two-time ESPY Award recipient, including the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance, Anthony is an internationally renowned motivational speaker, sharing his message with Fortune 500 companies and organizations around the world.

A member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame, Anthony also serves as an ESPN college wrestling analyst and is the author of Unstoppable. His powerful message of perseverance, mindset, and overcoming adversity embodies what it means to go “All-In”—for our parks and recreation profession, our communities, and a more inclusive future.

Meet Our Education Session Speakers

Meet some of our incredible Education Session speakers at our 76th Annual Conference.

Annie Frisoli

Founder & CEO of Creating Community LLC

What’s Your Default? Designing How You Lead

Michael Elliot and Wayne Barnett

Parks and Recreation Directors Town of Gilbert, Town of Marana

Different Paths, Common Ground: Rookie Directors Leading Change

Janet Bartnik

Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation in Prince William County

Your Roadmap to CAPRA’s New Standards

Ryan Hegreness

Manager | Parks, Recreation, Libraries

Artificial Intelligence: Productivity, Pitfalls, and Organizational Readiness

76th Anniversary Conference Sponsors

Peak Partner

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Platinum Partners

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Platinum Connect Partner

3

Platinum Educate Partner

18

Platinum Inspire Partner

Conference Sponsors

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AESLogo
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exerplay
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Sponsor logos Open sky
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Terms

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