NRPA is accepting proposals for our 2027 NRPA Annual Conference from October 7 – November 30, 2026.
The NRPA Annual Conference brings together thousands of people across several different fields including parks and recreation, conservation, health, landscape architecture and city planning. We aim to fulfill the needs of our diverse audience by providing a range of topical and engaging education sessions presented by top leaders in their professions. We are looking for speakers who can resonate with our attendees’ passion for parks and recreation and inspire even greater impact in communities nationwide.
Who Should Consider Submitting Proposals?
Park and recreation professionals, educators and students
Park and recreation vendors, contractors and related groups
Session Proposal Submission Window: October 7 – November 30, 2026
Session Decision Notifications: March 2027
2027 NRPA Annual Conference: September 28-30, 2027, George R. Brown Convention Center (Houston, Texas)
Submission Process Details
1-Hour Education Sessions: Either individual lectures or up to four-person discussions that deliver a selection of relevant and timely topics. (1-4 speakers, including moderators/panelists)
20-Minute Speed Sessions: Short, individual lectures designed to engage and inspire, covering a variety of park and recreation trends. All Speed Sessions are both pre-recorded for the NRPA Virtual Conference AND presented live on-site. (1 speaker)
All education session proposals are reviewed by the NRPA Conference Program Committee (CPC). The CPC is a dedicated group of park and recreation practitioners and professionals from around the country, representing varying regions, specialties, and content areas.
CPC reviewers assess submissions using the following criteria:
Originality: Sessions that demonstrate new, inspiring and impactful ways of thinking and doing.
Relevance: Sessions that are immediately useful, applicable and resonant with attendees.
Overall Quality: Sessions created and delivered by presenters that strive for clear communication, accurate content and engaging learning.
We welcome proposals from all backgrounds and experience levels — no professional speaking experience is required! We are committed to putting access at the center of our work and supporting park and recreation professionals in creating fair and just park and recreation systems. Each session proposal will be reviewed with consideration for accessibility, representation and community impact. We encourage speakers to incorporate a variety of perspectives when crafting their session content and when selecting speakers.
The NRPA Annual Conference’s educational offerings are made possible by dedicated professionals and volunteers from across the field. All speakers receive a complimentary education package, with the option to add additional conference items and events at a discounted rate.
Presenting at the NRPA Annual Conference is a voluntary, unpaid opportunity. Speakers whose sessions are accepted will not receive compensation for their participation.
