Tuesday, February 17, 2009

2009 Conference Photos



Above is a slideshow of pictures from the 2009 MRPA Conference and Trade Show held in Dearborn. The album can be updated at any time, so if you have photos you'd like to share from the 2009 Conference, please email jmakolin@mrpaonline.org. In the meantime, enjoy the photos and the memories of the 2009 Conference.

Want to view the photos in a simple album or larger format? Click here. (Captions will still be viewable in album format). Once directed to album, click on individual photos to view a larger, downloadable image.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Conference Photos by JL Photo Co. Now Available

The professional pictures that were taken by JL Photo Co. throughout the week of conference are now available for online viewing. Visit the MRPA section of the JL Website to view photos from social events, award ceremonies, keynotes, sessions and more. Once at the site, simply click on the day or event that you would like to view. You may order photos online from the same site.

Thank you JL!

Pictures taken by MRPA members and staff will be posted early next week.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Exhibit Hall Now Open

Make sure you check out the exhibit hall today, held in the Great Lakes Center rooms. The hall opens this morning at 9a.m., with a Deluxe Snack Break taking place at 9:45. A pizza buffet will take place at 12:30 p.m. in the exhibit hall as well. More than 100 vendors are here at conference, so be sure to check out the very latest in products and services in the Park and Recreation field. Also, complete the Exhibit Hall game to be eligible for a variety of prizes. Game forms are available at the entrance of the Exhibit Hall, and are on a bright green half sheet of paper.

Photo (above): Miracle Recreation of Michigan's Cory Anderson, MRPA Board President Kendall Klingelsmith and MRPA Executive Director Dennis Schornack cut the ribbon at the Exhibit Hall Grand Opening on Wednesday night.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Take A Student to Lunch!!!

The 'Take a Student to Lunch' event will begin today at 11:30 a.m. at Cheli's Chili. Board the complimentary shuttle near the 'Take a Student to Lunch' sign at the entrance of the hotel. More than 60 students are registered for the event, so please consider taking a student to lunch, and mentor a future leader in the Park and Recreation field. New transportation has been secured for the event, so the delays experienced at last night's 'Bowling for Students' event will no longer be an issue. We apologize for anyone who experienced delays last evening. Don't miss out on today's great student event at one of the area's best known and delicious eateries! The cost is $32 for two people (you and your student). See you there!

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Don't Miss Tonight's Opening Awards Ceremony with Keynote Brian Holloway!

Keynote speaker Brian Holloway has been called passionate, frank, hard-hitting, spot-on and engaging. A former NFL player for the New England Patriots, Holloway will deliver the keynote address at this evening's Opening Awards Ceremony. His presentations have been called intense, focused, and inspiring. Pro Football Hall of Fame Coach Bill Walsh calls Brian "a true champion and a leader that calls out the best in people."

Holloway began his football career at Stanford, where he was named an All-American. Holloway would later be named NFL All-Pro (five times!) and was an integral part of the 1985 AFC Champion Patriots team.

But Holloway's success was not limited to the football field. In 1986, Holloway was one of the principal architects for a NFL growth strategy that would produce an $18 million TV contract for the organization in 1998. Holloway has spent more than 10 years motivating great teams, from billion dollar companies to our very own MRPA. Join the more than 1 million people word-wide to be inspired by Brian Holloway, tonight's keynote speaker. Holloway will speak at 4:45 p.m. in the Great Lakes Center rooms, directly following the Opening Session Awards.

To learn more about Brian Holloway, click here.


Tonight's Opening Session Awards include the Marketing Showcase Awards, Therapeutic Recreation Awards, Site and Facility Design Awards, the Innovative Park Resources Award, the Innovative Recreation Planning Awards, the Local Elected Official Award, the State Elected Official Award. The Casual Dinner, Meet the Executive Director event and the Scholarship Raffle will follow the Opening Session and Keynote Address, beginning at 6 p.m.

Monday, February 2, 2009

Local Restaurants and Specials

If you're looking to grab a bite to eat or a drink on the town, check out the nearby locations and specials listed below:

Andiamo, located at 21400 Michigan Avenue, is offering half off bottled wine on Wednesday evening.

The Bar, located at 16010 Michigan Ave, offers a daily specials. Print off a coupon for a traditional burger and a pint draft here, and click here for the full menu.

Parisian Bistro, is located at 22023 Michigan Avenue.

P.F. Changs and Bravo!, are conveniently located in the mall across the street.

Pizza Paplis, located at 22022 Michigan Avenue, Suite B, has a variety of daily specials. Click here to view their lunch specials.

El Monterrey Mexican Restaurant & Cantina is offering 25% off the total bill for all MRPA Conference delegates. Be sure to bring your MRPA badge and let waitstaff know you are here for the MRPA Annual Conference. El Monterrey is located at 18950 Ford Rd, very close to the Hyatt.

Bailey's Bar & Grille is located just west of Cheli's Chili on Michigan Avenue, on the south side of the street. Monday-Friday from 4-7pm Bailey's offers $2.50 pints with 37 different beers to choose from. On Tuesday specials include $2.00 pints. Thursday's offerings include a $4.99 Burger & Budweiser special.

Friday, January 30, 2009

Don't Miss Fran Mainella, Former Director of the National Park Service

Fran Mainella, a highly accomplished Parks and Recreation professional, will speak on Thursday, February 3, about the movement called "No Child Left Inside." Mainella was the first woman director of the National Park Service, a position she held for nearly six years. Now a visiting scholar at Clemson University's Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, she has also served as the director of Florida's State Parks, the executive director of the Florida Recreation and Park Association, and the president of both the National Recreation and Park Association and the National Association of State Park Directors.

Mainella currently serves on Newsweek Magazine's Environmental Advisory Board. (To view an article Mainella penned in Newsweek regarding 'No Child Left Inside, click here) She also serves on the board of the National Society for Park Resources, the Children and Nature Network, and is an American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration fellow.

Gain valuable knowledge and insight from one of the most accomplished Park and Recreation professionals out there on Thursday's featured session, Getting Back to Nature: No Child Left Inside by Fran Mainella at 11 a.m. in the Marquis room.

Read Mainella's interview in NRPA's P&R Magazine here.

Check out these videos to get a better idea of the No Child Left Inside message:

Get 'Em Outside

No Child Left Inside: Rethinking No Child Left Behind

More information on "No Child Left Inside"can be found at nclicoalition.org.