The inaugural Southwest Parks And Recreation Kick-off Symposium (SPARKS) is a professional development symposium in partnership with the Arizona State University Parks and Recreation Student Association (PRSA), and the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association (APRA). SPARKS is a great opportunity to bring students, young professionals and professionals together and learn through speakers, educational sessions, networking, and socials. This event seeks to “SPARK” interests, ideas, and connections among students and professionals in parks and recreation.
Four tracks will be offered: Community Sports, Therapeutic Recreation, Parks and Recreation, SPARKS (networking, working with Millennials, etc) each track will have two related sessions and a round table. Professionals will be paired with one or two students to interact and network throughout the day. Find out more here.
SPEAKERS AND TOPICS
Marisue Garganta - Dignity Health - Sparks Throughout the Community: A Collective Impact Model for Community Well-Being"
Matt Rosnow - Troon Golf - "Strengths-Based Leadership"
Ben Rose - Positive Coaching Alliance - "Better Athletes, Better People"
Jeff Sikes - United States Tennis Association - "Marketing Mindset"
Jason Jameson - Mayo Clinic - "Student Management Techniques for Recreation Programs"
Mark Foote and Jodi Alexander - City of Mesa - "Positive, Not Punitive"
Jeff Spellman - Camp Colley - "Connecting Kids with Nature - Opportunites for Parks and Recreation Professionals"
Eric Legg - Arizona State University - "Whose Job is it Anyway: Public and Private Delivery of Youth Sports Programs"
Gus LaZear - VP of Ability 360 - "The Power of Community Partnerships"
Amanda Huffaker and Mollie Heiden - The Foundation for Senior Living - "Piecing it Together: The benefits of collaborative practice"
Sara Presler - Former Mayor of Flagstaff, AZ and CEO of AZ Foundation for Women - Closing Speaker
Interested in becoming a sponsor for the SPARKS Conference click here for more information.
Up to .3 CEUs can be earned during this conference.
Schedule
8:00-8:30 Check-in
8:30-9:15 Session 1-opening session
9:30-10:45 Session 2
11:00-12:15 Session 3
12:30-1:30 Lunch
1:45-3:00 Session 4
3:15-4:30 Closing session
4:45-6:00 Social
6:30-? Join the monthly First Friday Celebration in Downtown Phoenix
