Pre-Conference Events

Pre-Conference Events 

There are a variety of ways to experience CONNECTIONS 2025: CPRS Conference & Expo, including an array of pre-conference & special events.  All events detailed below take place in tandem with CONNECTIONS 2025, however, some take place at off-site locations.  See the description of the event below for more details and/or reach out to the designated point of contact.   

District & Section Intensives and Institutes

Administrator Section Intensive

Administrators Section Intensive: Shaping More Livable & Loveable Communities w/ Jamie Sabbach

Tuesday, March 18, 2025, from 1 pm – 5 pm 

Location: On-Site at the Safe Credit Union Convention Center or the Hyatt Regency Sacramento 

Register now!

Early (by 11/13/24) 

Regular (by 01/22/25) 

Late (01/23/25 +) 

Members 

$ 50

$ 55

$ 65

Non-Members 

$ 60

$ 65

$ 75

Offering 0.35 CEUs (i.e., 3.5 hours)

Among the more complex and compelling questions all forms of government are grappling with today is how they can shape more livable and loveable places. For thousands of years, humans built cities for people who walked. The scale of development, spacing of destinations, and distance individuals would routinely travel were scaled for a society that commuted by foot. We now build places around the automobile and label these investments as progress. We like to think about these decisions as ways to improve people’s lives and make things better.  But what has resulted is a society that has increasingly become less healthy, less connected, and where costly car-centric infrastructure has compromised opportunities for investment in services that matter to the collective quality of life - like public parks and open spaces. Systems that are willing to acknowledge where they’ve been, where they are today, and can work collectively in intentional and intelligent ways to create a course focused on improving people’s lives have a chance to shape more livable and loveable communities.

Aging Services & Activities Section Intensive

Tuesday, March 18, 2025, from 1 pm – 5 pm 

Location: TBA 

Register now!

Join the CPRS Aging Services & Activities Section for an afternoon of educational workshops on aging.  The intensive will provide real examples of successes, methods and tools for you to apply in your profession.  

This pre-conference event does not intend to offer CEUs. 

 

 

Early (by 11/13/24) 

Regular (by 01/22/25) 

Late (01/23/25 +) 

Members 

$ 50

$ 50

$ 60

Non-Members 

$ 60

$ 60

$ 75

If you have any questions about the Aging Services & Activities Section Intensive, please contact Zack Silva at (925) 931-5348 and/or ZSilva@cityofpleasantonca.gov.   

Aquatics Section Intensive

Tuesday, March 18, 2025, from approximately 1 pm – 5 pm 

Location: On-Site at the Safe Credit Union Convention Center, Room TBA

Register now!

The 2024/2025 Aquatics Section Board is excited to present the 2025 Aquatics Section Intensive. This event will feature up to four insightful presentations, engaging group discussions and activities, the installation of the 2025/2026 Aquatics Section Board, and a special awards ceremony.  

The Aquatics Section Intensive intends to offer CEUs. 

 

Early (by 11/13/24) 

Regular (by 01/22/25) 

Late (01/23/25 +) 

Members 

$60 

$70 

$80 

Non-Members 

$80 

$90 

$100 

Student Members 

$20 

$30 

$40 

 

If you have any questions about the Aquatics Section Intensive, please contact Colin Smith at (916) 591-8198 and/or ColinSmith@cosumnescsd.gov.   

Park Development & Operations Symposium

Tuesday, March 18, 2025, from 8 am - 2:00 pm

Location: Off-site at Maidu Regional Park (1550 Maidu Drive, Roseville, CA 95661).  Registrants will meet at the off-site location.

Register now!

Join the Development and Operations Section for a Vendor Fair where you will get to see new product demonstrations and have the chance to have conversations with the Reps about the products. There will be mini sessions about topics relevant to the field staff of your organization. This six-hour gathering includes catered breakfast and lunch.

The Park Development & Operations Symposium will not offer CEUs. 

 

Early (by 11/13/24) 

Regular (by 01/22/25) 

Late (01/23/25 +) 

Members 

$55

$55

$60

Non-Members 

$65

$65

$70

 

If you have any questions about the Park Development & Operations Symposium, please contact D&O Section Vice President, Armen Tagakchyan at (818) 550-3487 and/or atagakchyan@glendaleca.gov. 

Recreation Section Intensive

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Tuesday, March 18, 2025, from 1 pm – 5 pm 

Location: Safe Credit Union Convention Center, Room TBA 

Register now!

The Recreation Section Intensive intends to offer CEUs. 

Stay tuned – more details coming soon! 

 

Early (by 11/13/24) 

Regular (by 01/22/25) 

Late (01/23/25 +) 

Members 

$50 

$50

$65 

Non-Members 

$60 

$60

$75 

If you have any questions about the Recreation Section Intensive, please contact Ashley Sylvester at (707) 486-6428 and/or ASylvester@cityofsthelena.org.  

Recreation Therapy "RT" Institute

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Tuesday, March 18, 2025, from approximately 7 am – 6 pm

Location: Safe credit Union Convention Center or the Hyatt Regency Sacramento, Room TBA 

Register now!

The Recreation Therapy Institute provides the opportunity to acquire several hours of CEUs (6+). This full-day workshop will provide an opportunity to learn various ways to deliver therapeutic recreation programs. Come prepared to learn about new therapeutic recreation practices in the field of recreation therapy to be utilized professionally. 
Lunch will be provided to those who register before the late registration deadline. Late and on-site registrations will not include lunch. 

The Recreation Therapy Institute will begin with a coffee networking social at a specified location.  Check back for more details soon!

Who Should Attend: Recreation therapists, educators, students, and allied health professionals interested in providing therapeutic recreation interventions and techniques to improve functioning and reduce or eliminate the effects of illness or disability. 

Please note: If you seek CEUs, you must purchase CEUs in addition to the RT Institute. Be sure to add the “Continuing Education Units (Covers Entire Conference)” program item to your itinerary from the “Tuesday, 18 March 2025” program items.  We highly recommend purchasing CEUs prior to arriving on-site for ease with completing the mandatory session evaluations.

 

Early (by 11/13/24) 

Regular (by 01/22/25) 

Late (01/23/25 +) 

Members 

$199 

$239 

$259 

Non-Members 

$239 

$289 

$309 

Student Members 

$90 

$125 

$145 
If you have any questions about the Recreation Therapy Institute, including session proposals, please contact Annie Farley at anniefarley03@gmail.com and Christina Thomson at christinakloewe@gmail.com.

More Pre-Conference Events

JEDI Intensive

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Tuesday, March 18, 2025 from 12 pm - 5 pm

Location: Safe Credit Union Convention Center, Room TBA 

Register now!

Early (by 11/13/24) 

Regular (by 01/22/25) 

Late (01/23/25 +) 

Members 

$65

$65

$70

Non-Members 

$75

$75

$80

The JEDI Intensive will not offer CEUs.  Registration includes learning materials and some afternoon snacks.  Please plan to eat lunch prior to arrival.

During this five-hour experience, attendees will be joined by CircleUp facilitators and CPRS JEDI Counsel members for awareness-building and skill-building experiences.  This training is designed to uncover conscious and unconscious discrimination and learn tools to interrupt stereotypes, microaggressions, and implicit bias.  This training will also help to develop a common language around Diversity, Stereotypes, Bias, and Discrimination, making it easier to talk about uncomfortable, yet important topics in the workplace.  This skill-building training will also teach effective and proven techniques to interrupt unconscious and unintentional discrimination by learning to call people in versus calling them out in the workplace.  

Certified Playground Safety Inspector Course & Exam

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Course: Tuesday, March 18 & Wednesday 19, 2025, from 7:30am - 5pm 

Exam: Thursday, March 20, 2025, from 8:30 am – 11:30 am 

Location: Safe Credit Union Convention Center, Room TBA

Register now!

 

Course & Exam 

Course Only 

Exam Only 

Members 

$750 

$625 

$150 

Non-Members 

$900 

$750 

$200 
* Registration for CPSI is separate from CONNECTIONS registration.  CUEs do not need to be purchased separately for this training. 

Read more about the CPSI Course here.

The deadline to register for this CPSI session is Tuesday, February 4, 2025.  

Registration in either the course & exam or the course only will provide registrants with a copy of the course materials and lunch on both days of instruction.  Learn more about the in-person CPSI experience here. 

If you have questions about the Certified Playground Safety Inspector Course & Exam format and experience, please consider reviewing the CPSI webpage.  If you have any questions regarding registration, please contact CPRS HQ at (916) 665-2777 and/or cprs@cprs.org. 

Parks Make Life Better!® Tour

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Tuesday, March 18, 2025 (timing TBA, full day experience) 

Location: Meet up point TBA 

Register now!

Join us for a tour around town!  We'll explore our capitol city, Sacramento, and visit some hidden gems. We'll make stops at recreation facilities, parks and much more. Immerse yourself in the charm of the Farm to Fork Capital, Sacramento! 

 

Registration includes transportation, insights and learning, in addition to snacks and lunch.  

This pre-conference event does not offer CEUs. 

 

Early (by 11/13/24) 

Regular (by 01/22/25) 

Late (01/23/25 +) 

Members 

$45 

$50 

$55 

Non-Members 

$55 

$60 

$65 

If you have any questions about the Parks Make Life Better!® Tour, please contact Stephanie Stephens at (916) 665-2777 and/or Stephanie@cprs.org.  

Youth Sports Administrator Academy Prep Session

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Tuesday, March 18, 2025, from 10 am – 3:30 pm  

Location: Safe Credit Union Convention Center, Room TBA

Register now!

The CPRS Recreation Section is offering a Pre-Conference institute to become an industry recognized Certified Youth Sports Administrator (CYSA).  Join other professionals on Tuesday March 18, 2025, from 10am – 3:30pm for the interactive NAYS Academy Prep Session that is designed to enhance the learning experience, provide networking opportunities and prepares CYSA candidates to complete the certification process via the Online Academy on NAYS.ORG at a discounted rate!

Earning the CYSA designation positions sports administrators as leaders with a strong foundation of knowledge on issues pertaining to overseeing sports programs in today’s ever-changing environment.  There are no prerequisites and professionals in all positions from directors/superintendents to new hires to seek this certification. Join more than 7,100 professionals across the nation have earned this industry recognized certification to date. Topic topics covered include youth sports philosophy, professional development, leadership, policies, volunteer management, parent education, safety and risk management, emergency preparedness, conflict resolution, program evaluation, inclusion of children with disabilities, marketing and much more. 

Registration includes lessons and learning materials only.  The group will take a break for attendees to get lunch on their own.   

This pre-conference event does not offer CEUs. 

 

Early (by 11/13/24) 

Regular (by 01/22/25) 

Late (01/23/25 +) 

Members 

$285 

$325 

$375 

Non-Members 

$325 

$375 

$425 

  

If you have any questions about the Youth Sports Administrator Academy Prep Session, please contact Lisa Licata at (561) 684-1141 and/or LLicata@nays.org.

CFPR “Foundation Cup” Golf Tournament

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Tuesday, March 18, 2025 

Location: Wildhawk Golf Club, 7713 Vineyard Road, Sacramento, CA 95829

*Owned and operated by the Southgate Recreation & Park District

Find out more!

$175 per player before January 5, 2025
$225 per player after January 5, 2025

Includes: Green fees, cart, range balls, swag, breakfast, and lunch

Registration is limited to 100 golfers and closes on February 17, 2025

Register now!

Tournament proceeds will benefit the California Foundation for Parks & Recreation through the services, programs, and scholarships to support California communities.

Tax ID# 94-6126347

Registration is open for two people or a complete foursome. Foursomes must select a team name during the registration process. Twosomes will be grouped to make up a foursome and assigned a team. If you are a single golfer and interested in playing, please email Tom Hellman with your interest.

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If you have any questions or challenges regarding registration of any event, please contact CPRS HQ at (916) 665-2777 and/or cprs@cprs.org. 

How to Register

None of the events detailed on this page are included with CONNECTIONS registration – a separate “ticket” must be purchased. However, registration for nearly all pre-conference events is attached to CONNECTIONS registration. CLICK HERE to access the registration page.   

If you wish to only attend the pre-conference event and not the conference itself, select the “Intensives and Tickets Only” item from the “Registration Options.”   

If you wish to attend the pre-conference event in addition to some or all of the conference, select the appropriate item from the “Registration Options” list.  Answer the questions and click the “Save Responses” button.   

To add the pre-conference event to your itinerary, scroll down to the “Program” area and review the items listed under “Tuesday, 18 March 2025” (or the appropriate date). Click the blue “Add” button next to the intensive – you should then see a yellow “In itinerary” icon. If you are attending some/all of conference, be sure to select the other relevant program items for the days you’ll be in attendance. Now click the “Proceed to Checkout” button to complete your transaction.   

NOTE: Registration for the Certified Playground Safety Inspector Course & Exam is separate from CONNECTIONS 2025; see the details below for specific registration instructions.   

Many pre-conference events offer Continuing Education Units (“CEUs”).  If you wish to be awarded CEUs, be sure to add the “Continuing Education Units (Covers Entire Conference)” program item to your itinerary.  This purchase will cover CEUs at both pre-conference events and the conference proper.