Meeting Information

2026 South Dakota Parks and Recreation Association Conference "Outside Expectations"

 

October 06, 2026
8:00 AM CDT - 12:00 PM CDT
Add to Calendar

 

Highland Conference Center
2020 Highland Way
Mitchell, SD 57301
Venue website
Directions

Share

Join Us for the 2026 SDPRA Annual Conference - "Outside Expectations"

We are thrilled to announce that the SDPRA Annual Conference will be held October 6-8 in Mitchell. This annual event brings together professionals from across the state for a time of networking, learning, and collaboration.

Why Attend?

  • Expert Speakers: Gain insights from professionals from across the state.
  • Cutting-Edge Sessions: Participate in interactive sessions covering the latest trends, strategies, and technologies.
  • Networking Opportunities: Connect with peers, potential partners, and clients from across the industry. 

Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the field, this conference is the perfect opportunity to stay ahead of the curve, learn from the best, and make valuable connections.

Don't miss out – registration is now open!

For more information on sponsorships and vendor booths click these links:

Title, Gold, Platinum, Silver, and Bronze packages

Vendor Booth, Event Sponsor, and Friends of SDPRA

 Tuesday, October 6th, 2026 
8:00am-5:00pm: Exhibitor Set Up
2:00pm-5:00pm: Conference Registration (Lunch on your own) 
12:00pm-1:00pm: SDPRA Board Meeting, Wild Oak Golf Course, 2500 E. 1st Avenue, Mitchell, SD 57301
12:00pm-5:00pm: SDPRA Golf Outing - Wild Oak Golf Course, 2500 E. 1st Avenue, Mitchell, SD 57301
5:30pm-6:30pm: Dinner - Highland Event Center 
6:30pm-6:45pm: Mayor’s Welcome 
6:45pm-7:45pm: Prenote Speaker: What are the odds? - Shannon Sandoval  
8:00pm-Midnight: Evening Social Blarney’s Sports Bar & Grill

Wednesday, October 7th, 2026 
7:00am-8:00am: Exhibitor Set Up 
7:00am-5:00pm: Conference Registration 
7:00am-8:00am: Breakfast 
8:00am-8:15am: Conference Welcome 
8:15am-9:15am: Keynote Speaker: Balancing like a Boss - Becky Geyer
9:15am-9:45am: Break with Exhibitors 
9:45am-10:45am: Breakout Sessions 1

    1. How Ancient Watermen Built the Modern Lifeguard Profession - Madison Rae
    2. If Trees Could Scream - John Ball, Professor of Forestry, SDSU
    3. Coach Training Roundtable: Sport for Development - Becky Geyer

10:45am-11:00am: Break with Exhibitors

11:00a-12:00noon: Breakout Sessions 2

    1. Parks Roundtable: E-bike discussion regarding safety, regulations on trails for both municipalities and state parks.
    2. Comprehensive Parks Planning: Leveraging Public Input to Maximize Community Impact. A Case Study of the Rapid City Parks & Recreation Master Plan - Ryan Peterson, PLA, RDG Planning & Design & Melissa Petersen, PLA, ASLA Rapid City Parks and Recreation
    3. Goldilocks: Right Sizing Your Facility Investment - Adam Janesz, Water Technology Inc.

12:00pm-1:15pm: Exhibitors Luncheon | SDPRA Annual Meeting 

1:15pm-2:15pm: Breakout Sessions 3

    1. No big budget? No marketing team? No extra hours in the Day? No problem - Jessica Welu-Fawcett, City of Brookings
    2. The Power of Partnership: Creating Community Destinations through Public & Philanthropic Investment. Case Study Jacobson Plaza - City of Sioux Falls and Confluence
    3. Making GIS work for you: Easier inspections, Better Access, Smarter Policy - Aaron Karl, City of Brookings

    2:15pm-2:30pm: Break with Exhibitors

    2:30pm-3:30pm: Breakout Sessions 4

    1. Time Management: Parks and Recreation professionals juggle diverse responsibilities—from serving visitors to maintaining safe, enjoyable spaces. - Ken McFarland, South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources
    2. A Partnership in Bike Trail Maintenance and Development (roundtable format)- Palace City Pedalers and the Mitchell Parks and Recreation Dept.
    3. Aquatics Roundtable

    3:30-pm-3:45pm: Break with Exhibitors

    3:45pm-4:45pm: Breakout Sessions 5

      1. Coaching & Development: Strong coaching builds confident, capable employees who deliver great experiences to the public. - Ken McFarland, South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources
      2. Sioux Falls: Facility Maintenance and Tournament Scheduling
      3. Building Candidate Readiness Before & During Lifeguard Certification - Madison Rae

    5:00pm-6:00pm: Exhibitors Social
    6:00pm-8:00pm: SDPRA Banquet + Awards
    8:00pm-Midnight: After Hours Social – Palace City Brewing Co., 227 W. Railroad Ave, Mitchell

    Thursday, October 8th, 2026 
    7:00am-8:00am: Breakfast | Conference
    8:00am-8:15am: Closing - Board President 
    8:15am-9:15pm: General Session: Best Day Ever Film
    9:15am-9:30am: Break with Exhibitors
    9:30am-10:30am: Breakout Sessions 7

      1. Practice Guide to Aquatic Health and Safety in South Dakota - Adam Livermore and Timea Metzger-Nelson
      2. Park and Recreation Directors Meeting
      3. Youth Athletic Sport Participation Overtraining and Specialization - Dr. Dan Wagner, EdD, ATC, Athletic Training Chair, Dakota Wesleyan University

10:30-am-10:45am: Break with Exhibitors
10:45am-11:45am: Breakout Sessions 8

      1. South Dakota aquatic invasive species - Tanner Davis, South Dakota Invasive Species Coordinator
      2. Move, Connect, Engage: Supporting Brain Health Across the Lifespan - Kari Senger, Healthy Brain Initiative Coordinator
      3. Recreation Roundtable

    Tickets

    $8,000.00 2026 Title SDPRA Sponsor

    $5,000.00 2026 Platinum SDPRA Sponsor

    $3,000.00 2026 Gold SDPRA Sponsor

    $2,000.00 2026 Silver SDPRA Sponsor

    $1,000.00 2026 Bronze SDPRA Sponsor

    $650.00 2026 Event Sponsorship

    $750.00 Exhibitor Booth Space

    $200.00 Colleges/Non-Profits Exhibitor Space

    $250.00 Member Full Package

    $275.00 Non-Member Full Package

    $100.00 Member One Day Registration

    $100.00 Non-Member One Day Registration

    $50.00 Student Full Registration

    $50.00 Student Full Registration

    $25.00 Student One Day Registration

    $25.00 Student One Day Registration