Arizona Parks and Recreation Association Conference Speaker Information

• Park and recreation professionals, educators and students
• Park and recreation vendors, contractors and related groups
• Speakers and educators aligned with APRA's mission
• Planners, landscape architects, public health administrators, city and county managers
• Presenters should have experience speaking at state, regional or national conferences; schools; or seminars

All education session proposals are reviewed by the Program Committee. Sessions are assessed using the following criteria:

• Clarity of Learning Outcomes
• Presenter Expertise
• Innovation and Creativity

We’re excited you're interested in presenting at the APRA Annual Conference! To help ensure your session proposal is successful and CEU-eligible, please review the tips and guidelines below before submitting your proposal.

Before You Start Your Proposal

• All session proposals must be submitted using the APRA online proposal form.
• The deadline to submit your proposal is January 31, 2026.
• All required fields must be completed for the proposal to be accepted.
• You will receive a confirmation email once your proposal is submitted successfully.
• Session acceptance notifications will be sent in March.

General Tips for a Successful Proposal

• Take the time to thoughtfully prepare your proposal. Well-developed, complete submissions have a much better chance of being accepted.
• Use clear, professional language. Avoid typos, keep descriptions concise, and focus on action-oriented content that clearly communicates what participants will learn.
• Keep it educational. Sessions should be informative and unbiased—promotional content or sales-focused messaging will not be considered.
• Include a range of perspectives if possible. Proposals that bring in voices from different roles, agencies, or communities tend to be more engaging and well-rounded than those presented by a single department or team.
• Share something new. Priority is given to original sessions developed specifically for the APRA audience.
• Plan ahead. Before starting your online submission, make sure you’ve gathered all necessary materials—like bios and contact information for any co-presenters.
• Stay flexible. If your session is selected, the day and time will be assigned based on the overall conference schedule.
• Each session is 60 minutes and qualifies for .1 CEU.

Learning Outcomes (Required for CEUs)

• Submit three clear, measurable learning outcomes.
• Limit each outcome to one sentence (20 words or less).
• Learning outcomes should describe what participants will be able to do after your session.
• Outcomes must be observable and measurable.
• Recommended action verbs:
• compile, create, plan, revise, analyze, design, select, utilize, apply, demonstrate, prepare, use, compute, discuss, explain, predict, assess, compare, rate, critique
• Avoid vague verbs:
• Know, appreciate, become aware of, become familiar with
• Example: Participants will be able to apply strategies to increase community engagement in parks and recreation programs.

Education Session Outline (Required)

• Each proposal must include a detailed session outline.
• The outline should show the sequence and time allocation of your presentation.
• Align each section of the outline with your learning outcomes.
• Sample Format:
• Title of Session
• Presenter Name(s)
• Total Time: 60 minutes
• Introduction (e.g., 5 min): Attention grabber and topic overview
• Main Content (e.g., 40 min): Needs, solutions, resources, strategies, audience interaction
• Conclusion + Q&A (e.g., 15 min): Wrap-up, discussion, final takeaways

Submitting Your Proposal

• Submit your session using the APRA online form.
• Upload all required documents, including:
• Presenter bios and headshots
• Session outline
• Learning outcomes
• Incomplete proposals will not be reviewed.
• All session correspondence will go to the lead speaker.

If Your Proposal is Accepted

• The APRA Program Committee will review all eligible session proposals.
• Selected speakers will be notified in March.

Conference presenters are eligible to receive a discount for a one-day registration package. The discounted registration is only available available for the speaker/presenter and is not transferrable. A special code can be obtained directly from the Education Chair. Registration is required before the registration deadline.

Each room will have a projector, screen, speakers, and microphone. Please ensure you bring a laptop and HDMI cord, as well as a clicker should you want one.

Speaker Compensation Information:

• APRA has a limited budget for speaker fees. If a speaker requires a fee to present, this must be clearly stated in the session proposal. No separate travel reimbursements will be provided. Approved speaker fees will be paid by check within three weeks after the conference.

All travel arrangements are the responsibility of the speaker. A hotel room block has been secured at a discounted rate for attendees, vendors, and speakers. To receive the special rate, use the direct booking link available on the main APRA Conference page. The closest airport to the Phoenix Convention Center is Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), located approximately 5 miles from the convention center.

Your presentation may NOT sell, raffle, or otherwise promote a product, service, or organization in which you have a financial interest.