Registration is now open! 

Conference registration is being accepted through March 3, 2026. After this date, all registration will need to be processed onsite.

The conference will be held Tuesday, March 10 – Friday, March 13, 2026, at the Long Beach Convention Center. Full registration includes all regular conference educational sessions from Wednesday morning through the closing keynote speaker on Friday midday. It does not include pre-conference events, such as Section Intensives on Tuesday. Full registration also covers the Wednesday–Friday program and includes the Wednesday night Welcome Reception sponsored by Playcore.

Note: No need to register for specific education sessions; seating is first-come, first-served onsite.

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Make the Case for Attending CONNECTIONS 2026: CPRS Conference and Expo

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Attending the CPRS CONNECTIONS Conference is an investment in your growth, your team's success, and your organization's future.

Here's why attendance matters and how it delivers value for attendees and their agencies:

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It's called 'CONNECTIONS' for a reason

Networking isn't an afterthought; it's the cornerstone of this conference. We're intentional about creating meaningful opportunities to connect with professionals from across the field. These connections often lead to new partnerships, shared initiatives, and fresh ideas that can directly benefit your agency and community.

Invest in Staff Who Drive Results

The conference is especially valuable for early to mid-level professionals who make your day-to-day operations thrive. Supporting their attendance builds confidence, leadership capacity, and engagement that pay dividends throughout your organization.

Session Topics Include

Conference sessions cover a wide range of topics designed to address the real-world challenges and opportunities faced by park and recreation agencies today. Topics include:

• Advocacy / Telling the Park & Recreation Story

• Collaboration & Partnership Development

• Communications, Marketing & Branding

• Emergency Planning & Preparedness

• Employee / Volunteer Management

• Health & Wellness

• Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

• Leadership, Career & Staff Development

• Practical / Innovative Solutions to the Daily Business of Parks & Recreation

• Planning, Design & Maintenance

• Programming & Evaluations

• Revenue Development & Management

Gain Tools and Resources to Improve Operations

Conference sessions go beyond discussion, they deliver practical tools, templates, and data that attendees can bring back to strengthen your agency's programs, communications, and management practices.

Plus, all presentations will be available for future reference long after the event.

Align Your Team Around What's Next

Stay ahead of emerging trends shaping the parks and recreation profession. Attendees will return ready to brief your team on new ideas and strategies, helping your organization remain proactive rather than reactive.

Benchmark Your Agency Against Peers

See how other park and recreation agencies across California and beyond are addressing the same challenges you face. Your team will return with insights, ideas, and best practices that can be implemented immediately to improve your agency’s performance.