Room 118C

Speakers:
Shane Mize
Hannah Mize
Joshua Keller

Positive mental health and career longevity for the park and recreation professional starts at home. This session explores the delicate balance between passion, purpose and partnership for professionals, their loved ones and their support systems. The same drive that fuels our success at work can also create strain if not understood or balanced. We will redefine what “work-life balance” means for recreation families, examine how to celebrate wins and navigate losses both at work and at home, and discuss the role that loved ones play when demanding schedules and stress collide. Through shared stories, practical tools and honest dialogue, discover strategies to strengthen connection, manage expectations, build buy-in, preserve perspective, and protect the people and families who are behind our favorite spaces and community activities.

Room 113AB

Speakers:
Thomas Venniro
Aaron Dalzot

From the "most magical place on earth" to the City of Brotherly Love, this session brings Disney’s timeless lessons in service, storytelling and connection to Philadelphia. Join two seasoned park and recreation professionals and proud Disney enthusiasts and one a former cast member as they explore how Disney’s culture of service, attention to detail and "guest, not customer" philosophy can elevate how we serve, lead and connect. Discover how intentional storytelling and small gestures create memorable moments that transform customer experience, enrich workplace culture, and strengthen relationships in the community and your professional network. Expect laughter, heartwarming stories and practical takeaways to help you infuse Disney-level magic and meaning into every interaction — no pixie dust required.

Room 103AB

Speakers:
Stacey Dicke
Meredith Lawrence
Tom Venniro

If you’re in the field, you already know that parks and recreation is one of the most rewarding careers in public service — with more than 160,000 full-time professionals across the country making a difference every day. While many of us “fell into” this field by accident, the future of our profession depends on being intentional about how we attract and inspire the next generation of park and recreation leaders. Join this session to explore innovative strategies for building the workforce in our profession and discover new approaches to recruit part-time and seasonal positions. Learn ways to engage with high schools, colleges and universities to promote the park and recreation profession. We will also highlight the 2025 release of “A Choice Career: Parks and Recreation” video that showcases various opportunities in the field. Participants will gain creative ideas and practical tools to help showcase parks and recreation as a dynamic, purposeful and rewarding career path.

Craft Hall - 901 N Delaware Ave, Philadelphia, PA

Network with fellow professionals, meet former guests of the show, meet/catch up with the guys, and pick up your limited edition RecLess tshirts. If you are a scholarship winner, We will have additional limited tshirt quantities available for purchase on site.