Simply stated, joining the Illinois Park and Recreation Association will advance your career! As a leader in the field, membership in the IPRA will provide you with the continuing education, resources, networking opportunities and advocacy information needed to excel as a professional in the parks and recreation field.

Soaring To New Heights Conference

The annual IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference features over 200 educational sessions, an exhibit hall where over 300 exhibitors showcase their latest and greatest products and services, and a variety of networking opportunities. Each year over 4,500 of Illinois' park and recreation professionals, elected and appointed officials/commissioners, and students make this conference the event to attend! Learn more!

Professional Development School

IPRA's Administration and Finance Section holds its Professional Development School each year to provide Illinois' park and recreation professionals a unique opportunity to grow and develop both professionally and personally with this two and a half day program. Whether this is your first year at PDS or if you're a returning student, we know you'll find it to be both educational and rewarding. PDS provides opportunities to learn from top-notch speakers and to network with the best professionals from our field, who wish to share ideas and discuss issues that are of concern to us all. Not only will you leave with new ideas and strategies to implement immediately, you will also enjoy a variety of networking opportunities to connect with your colleagues, develop relationships and share success stories.

Supervisor Symposium

IPRA's Facility Management and Recreation Sections work together to provide recreation professionals with a two-day educational and networking opportunity. Workshop presenters are leaders in the field and deliver sessions that will catch the interest of students, as well as new and seasoned professionals.

Aquatic Facility Operator Course & Exam

The Aquatic Facility Operator course is an 18-hour training program specifically designed to meet the needs of those working in public and semi-public recreational pool or water park facilities. The AFO program offers a unique risk management approach, rarely offered to operations personnel. The course provides information and training for both supervisory and operations personnel. In-depth instruction will be given on filtration, disinfections, water testing and treatment, design consideration, facility management, risk management, facility trouble-shooting and much more. The AFO certification course is the most comprehensive program available for those responsible for operating clean, safe, and efficient aquatic facilities.

National Playground Safety Institute Course & Exam

The National Playground Safety Institute is the most comprehensive training program offered on playground hazard identification and risk management methods. NPSI provides input to help develop a responsible public policy which guarantees the safety of our children. At the same time, NPSI advocates sound fiscal responsibility to provide resources for the ongoing maintenance and support of the policy.

Professional Development Sponsor

Celebrating over 75 years of service, Lamp Incorporated is a third generation family-owned business, which provides construction management, project management, general contracting, and design/build services to the complete satisfaction of their clients.

They take pride in being the preferred construction manager for the Villages of Algonquin, Huntley, Lake in the Hills, Schaumburg, and Streamwood, and the Dundee Township, Hampshire, and Huntley Park Districts. Their skilled, experienced team combined with a strong record of performance, repeatedly shows that they can produce and complete quality building projects on time and within budget. Since 1932, from site selection through building occupancy, Lamp Incorporated offers clients broad expertise in the total building process.

For more information, please visit www.lampinc.net.