|
Monday January 12, 2026
|
|
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
|
NAYS (National Alliance for Youth Sports) Pre-Conference Training - General Registration
Monday, January 12, 2026 - 1PM - 5PMNAYS (National Alliance for Youth Sports) Pre-Conference TrainingCOMBO Training - Academy Prep Session + Frontline Sports Staff TrainingNAYS will partner again with NNERPC to host this essential combination training that is open to all sports and recreation staff, regardless of role, title or experience. Two registration options will be offered. Those interested in earning the industry recognized CYSA designation will receive immediate online access to the Academy for Youth Sports Administrators to earn certification (CYSA) at the conclusion of the special combo training experience. All others will participate in the interactive in-person training and will receive a digital certificate of participation. Description:FRONTLINE Staff TrainingFor sports, athletics and recreational staff in any position (full-time, part-time, new hire, seasonal, etc.) to gain valuable information, knowledge and to network with others from around the state.Topics:• Intro to Sports Administration• Our Leadership Role in Positive Sports• Promoting Sportsmanship• Interacting with Parents, Volunteers, Participants and Leagues• Safety Issues• Resources & Tools to Ensure Quality Youth Sports!Registration options:#1General Registration + Certified Youth Sports Administrator (CYSA) - $325 per personFor those also earning the industry recognized Certified Youth Sports Administrator (CYSA) designation. At the conclusion, access to the Academy for Youth SportsAdministrators will be provided to complete the online certification program.#2General Registration$70 per person, Group Rate (two or more from your organization) $60 per personFor any staff members who will benefit from professional development and networking.Participants will receive written materials and a digital Certificate of Participation. DOES NOT INCLUDE CYSA.
|
|
|
|
|
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
|
NAYS (National Alliance for Youth Sports) Pre-Conference Training - General Registration + Certified Youth Sports Administrator (CYSA)
Monday, January 12, 2026 - 1PM - 5PMNAYS (National Alliance for Youth Sports) Pre-Conference TrainingCOMBO Training - Academy Prep Session + Frontline Sports Staff TrainingNAYS will partner again with NNERPC to host this essential combination training that is open to all sports and recreation staff, regardless of role, title or experience. Two registration options will be offered. Those interested in earning the industry recognized CYSA designation will receive immediate online access to the Academy for Youth Sports Administrators to earn certification (CYSA) at the conclusion of the special combo training experience. All others will participate in the interactive in-person training and will receive a digital certificate of participation. Description:FRONTLINE Staff TrainingFor sports, athletics and recreational staff in any position (full-time, part-time, new hire, seasonal, etc.) to gain valuable information, knowledge and to network with others from around the state.Topics:• Intro to Sports Administration• Our Leadership Role in Positive Sports• Promoting Sportsmanship• Interacting with Parents, Volunteers, Participants and Leagues• Safety Issues• Resources & Tools to Ensure Quality Youth Sports!Registration options:#1General Registration + Certified Youth Sports Administrator (CYSA) - $325 per personFor those also earning the industry recognized Certified Youth Sports Administrator (CYSA) designation. At the conclusion, access to the Academy for Youth SportsAdministrators will be provided to complete the online certification program.#2General Registration$70 per person, Group Rate (two or more from your organization) $60 per personFor any staff members who will benefit from professional development and networking.Participants will receive written materials and a digital Certificate of Participation. DOES NOT INCLUDE CYSA.
|
|
|
|
|
Tuesday January 13, 2026
|
|
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
|
1:00-2:00PM - Keynote: Everybody Pulls The Tarp: The Mindset Powering The World's Most Successful People & Teams - Keynote: Everybody Pulls The Tarp: The Mindset Powering The World's Most Successful People & Teams
Andrew's trademarked 'Everybody Pulls The Tarp' mindset resonates deeply with audiences because it is simple, digestible, & actionable. He is on a mission to build a world full of tarp pullers — a world where people never say "that's not my job" and do whatever it takes to help their organization, team, and community succeed. Through engaging storytelling, Andrew leaves audiences inspired and, most importantly, ready to take action!Speaker Andrew Moses
|
|
|
|
|
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
|
2:15-3:15PM Cultural Messages, Recreation and Youth Future Planning - Cultural Messages, Recreation and Youth Future Planning
NNE's ongoing struggle to attract and retain a young workforce is often framed in terms of economic indicators: labor shortages, housing costs, student debt, or the scarcity of quality jobs. But beneath these material realities lie powerful and often implicit cultural narratives about what constitutes a “good life,” and where that life can (or should) be pursued. In this interactive, research-informed workshop, we invite participants to explore how youth residential and employment decisions are shaped not only by economic conditions, but also by the messages they receive—from schools, workplaces, and public discourse—about work, place, and adulthood.Speakers - Jayson Seaman & Cindy Hartman
|
|
|
|
|
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
|
2:15-3:15PM From Passion to Policy: Turning Your Park & Rec Story into Advocacy Power - From Passion to Policy: Turning Your Park & Rec Story into Advocacy Power
Advocacy isn’t just for directors or policy makers – every parks and recreation professional can influence visibility and community support. We all have a story worth sharing. This session teaches you how to transform your day-to-day experiences into compelling advocacy narratives that resonate with residents, administrators, and elected officials. Learn how to build a persuasive case, communicate impact, mobilize supporters, strengthen the visibility of your department, engage stakeholders, and prepare conversations with elected officials. Great for those who want advocacy to feel natural, authentic, and effective while becoming a trusted voice for your agency and the broader profession of parks and recreation.Speaker - Sharon Locke
|
|
|
|
|
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
|
2:15-3:15PM Unlocking the Value of Parks and Recreation Associations - Unlocking the Value of Parks and Recreation Associations
Professional associations are a cornerstone of growth, advocacy, and advancement in the field of parks and recreation. But what do these organizations offer beyond conferences and networking? This collaborative session brings together leaders from four state associations—Massachusetts, Maine, New York, and Vermont—for an open and honest conversation about the real-world value of association membership., , Participants will explore how associations support professionals at every career stage, foster partnerships across sectors, and offer vital resources for continuing education, leadership development, and advocacy. Through a mix of presentation and guided discussion, we will also ask attendees what they want from their associations, giving voice to emerging needs in a rapidly evolving field., , Whether you're a seasoned director or new to the field, this session is designed to connect, inspire, and equip you with a deeper understanding of how associations can work for you— and how we can work together. Speakers - Courtney Carroll, Jessica Brodie, Katie Dupont & Sabrina Best
|
|
|
|
|
Wednesday January 14, 2026
|
|
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
|
9:00-10:00AM - "In Perpetuity" is a LOOONNNGGG Time - "In Perpetuity" is a LOOONNNGGG Time
The Land and Water Conservation Fund was created in 1964 by the US Congress in bi-partisan support for a program that leveraged the generation of revenues from public resources and sought to invest some of those revenues into preserving other public resources - Parks & Open Space for outdoor recreation. A key element of this program is that every site funded by LWCF must be protected and managed for public outdoor recreation "In Perpetuity". There are thousands of LWCF assisted parks throughout NNE. Knowing where these sites are is critical. Too often, park managers are unaware that the LWCF can be used to help meet these long-term stewardship obligationsSpeakers - Douglas Beck & Eric Feldbaum
|
|
|
|
|
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
|
9:00-10:00AM - Breathing Life Back into a Community - Breathing Life Back into a Community
Parks and recreation are vital for community health and vibrancy. But what happens when these departments stagnate? Explore the impact of dormancy on program offerings, green spaces, and public events. This interactive session presents a real- world case study of a department's successful revitalization, revealing the techniques, challenges, and triumphs involved in reigniting community engagement. Ideal for new directors and aspiring leaders seeking to breathe new life into their departments.Speaker - Bill Salvatore
|
|
|
|
|
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
|
9:00-10:00AM - Fit, Fad or Flop - Fit, Fad or Flop
With the hectic schedules and increasing demands on recreation staff, it can be hard to take a thoughtful and strategic approach to developing new programs. But by not doing this, even more time and resources may go to waste in offering new programs that aren't successful. Instead of waiting to see what sticks, pick up a set of exercises and techniques you can use to brainstorm, test, and evaluate new program ideas before you even start writing that brochure description.Speaker - Bobbi Nance
|
|
|
|
|
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
|
9:00-10:00AM - Park and Rec Pro: Part Artist and Part Army General - Park and Rec Pro: Part Artist and Part Army General
Park and Recreation professionals struggle at times with communicating "how" the industry impacts communities, and what specific qualities shine through in these amazing public servants. This session crystallizes this qualities as "creative", "focused", indefatigable", "hardy" "visionary". Identify the unique challenges of the Parks and Recreation professional, Understand the shared qualities inherent in all Parks and Recreation professionals, Walk away with 3-5 workable programs or initiatives based on session activities.Speaker - Jason Lang
|
|
|
|
|
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
|
11:30AM-12:30PM - Coaching as a System for Recreation Staff - Coaching as a System for Recreation Staff
Recreation professionals supervise diverse teams including seasonal staff, part-time employees, volunteers, and student workers—many with limited experience. Traditional "tell them what to do" supervision creates dependency and doesn't develop staff capacity. High turnover means constantly training new people. Effective coaching creates independent problem-solvers who grow professionally and deliver better programs. Most recreation supervisors lack formal coaching training, defaulting to micromanagement or hands-off approaches that neither support staff nor ensure quality. This session provides a systematic framework that transforms supervision into development, improving both staff retention and program outcomes.Speaker - Jarod Wunneburger
|
|
|
|
|
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
|
11:30AM-12:30PM - Evaluating Service from Different Angles - Evaluating Service from Different Angles
Understanding our customers' needs, wants, and preferences has always been complicated, but with individualization and expectations on the rise, it's getting even harder. Before you send out another survey, discover new ways to gain insights about your customers - everything from simple observations to creative dives into your data, as well as tweaks that you can implement to make your current efforts and surveys more impactful.Speaker - Bobby Nance
|
|
|
|
|
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
|
11:30AM-12:30PM - If You Build It They Will Come - If You Build It They Will Come
Thinking of building a splash pad? Join Aimee Gigandet, Newmarket’s Recreation Director, as she shares the real story—the wins, challenges, and surprises—of creating Aqua Land. From design decisions to cost considerations, Aimee has given tours and fielded calls from towns across the region since its completion asking, “How did you do it?” Find out why families drive over an hour to visit and what makes this splash pad such a success. This session is perfect for anyone planning a similar project—or just curious about how great ideas come to life!Speaker - Aimee Gigandet
|
|
|
|
|
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
|
11:30AM-12:30PM - It's Fine, We're Fine, Everything's Fine - It's Fine, We're Fine, Everything's Fine
Parks and Recreation professionals often operate in dynamic, unpredictable environments where traditional team building models can fall short. Whether managing summer camps, community events, or recreational programming, staff must work collaboratively under pressure, adapt to last minute changes, and maintain a positive group dynamic, all while engaging the public. However, formal team building initiatives are often low priority due to limited time, budget, and staffing. As a result, team cohesion is frequently built (or broken) in the moment, during real world challenges rather than structured training sessions.This session is designed for frontline staff, supervisors, and program coordinators in Parks and Recreation departments who work in group settings and rely heavily on day to day collaboration. These professionals often juggle logistical demands, community expectations, and limited resources, making informal team-building especially valuable.While there are many resources on emergency planning and communication, few sessions directly address how staff can strengthen their teams organically through shared challenges, humor, and peer support in real time program settings. Staff need practical, low barrier ways to build trust, resilience, and camaraderie without disrupting workflow or requiring formal retreats.This session fills the gap by offering fun, interactive, and immediately applicable strategies for building team cohesion in unpredictable environments. Participants will walk away with concrete tools, shared language, and a renewed appreciation for the team building potential embedded in daily chaos. Rather than adding more to staff to do lists, this session reframes what they’re already doing as an opportunity to build stronger, more connected teams.Speakers - Jaclyn Ciardi & Maureen Sammon
|
|
|
|
|
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
|
2:00-3:00PM - Be a Goal Getter - Be a Goal Getter
It may feel like the time for thinking about goals has already passed, but with the hecticness of the holidays and the pressure of New Year’s resolutions behind us, now is the perfect time to plot out a plan of attack for the upcoming. Through a series of guided exercises and discussions, take an hour to refocus on the year ahead, plot out and prioritize what you want to accomplish, and most importantly, start designing your plan of attack to make sure that you end the year not just as a goal setter, but a goal-getter.Speaker - Bobbi Nance
|
|
|
|
|
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
|
2:00-3:00PM - Not Your Grandma's Workshop: Successful Senior Programming Ideas - Not Your Grandma's Workshop: Successful Senior Programming Ideas
The US population is aging rapidly and today's "Seniors" are not what they used to be! According to the 2020 Census, NH is the second oldest state, behind only Maine. By 2040, approximately 1 in 5 Americans will be 65 and older, a substantial increase from the current 1 in 8. Not only does this demographic need social and recreational opportunities like everyone else, but this demographic can be your biggest advocate and supporters! Participants will learn about proven successful programming, including: intergenerational programming, collaborations, keeping seniors engaged, grants, educational resources and more! Discover communication tips and how to gain support from your boards.Speakers - David Tovey, Nicole Finitsis & Art Jacobs
|
|
|
|
|
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
|
2:00-3:00PM - The Science of INTENTIONALLY Planning Special Events - The Science of INTENTIONALLY Planning Special Events
Recreation and parks professionals are constantly tasked with creating meaningful events that serve a wide range of ages, interests, and community needs. Yet too often, event planning becomes reactive or repetitive, driven by tradition or logistics rather than intention. This session meets a vital need by equipping recreation leaders with practical frameworks to design events that build connection, foster group development, and maximize engagement. Blending proven theories like Tuckman’s stages of group development with the accessible and fun S.P.O.R.T.Y. S.P.I.C.E. method and even principles from physics, this session provides a fresh, interdisciplinary approach. Attendees will walk away with a repeatable formula they can use to design more thoughtful, inclusive, and impactful programs—whether for youth, families, seniors, or entire communities.Speaker - Marcie Glad
|
|
|
|
|
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
|
2:00-3:00PM - What do pigs & a park bench have in common? - What do pigs & a park bench have in common?
We will discuss the importance of cross-sector collaboration in today's society, share examples of successful partnerships, and how the sectors overlap.This session will: • Encourage parks professionals to explore potential partnerships with local agritourism businesses.• Inspire a collaborative mindset to enhance community connections through agriculture, recreation, and shared spaces.• Understand how these sectors contribute to community development.• Learn about the historical contributions of Native Americans to agriculture in the U.S.• Identifying where parks and agritourism overlap.• Discussing successful partnerships and potential programming ideas and farm-based events for your own communities.Speaker - Jessica Brodie
|
|
|
|
|
3:15 PM - 4:15 PM
|
3:15-4:15PM - Creating a Culture of Inclusion - Creating a Culture of Inclusion
Inclusion is a verb – it takes the commitment and efforts of an entire organization, and as Parks and Recreation professionals, it is our job to create a culture of inclusion that provides everyone the opportunity to participate and access their community's offerings. During this session, attendees will get an inside look into an established Therapeutic Recreation program and identify the steps they can take to implement strategies into their roles to create a culture of inclusion within their own organization.Speaker - Kate DeAngelis
|
|
|
|
|
3:15 PM - 4:15 PM
|
3:15-4:15PM - Ditch Three Strikes: Better Behavior Systems - Ditch Three Strikes: Better Behavior Systems
Traditional "three strikes" behavior systems disproportionately exclude children from low-income families and communities of color—the very populations public recreation serves. These punitive approaches push out kids who need programs most, perpetuating inequity rather than building community. Recreation professionals need practical alternatives that keep all children engaged while maintaining program quality. This session addresses a critical gap between stated inclusion values and actual practices, providing a proven framework that transforms how teams respond to challenging behaviors.Speaker - Jared Wunneburger
|
|
|
|
|
3:15 PM - 4:15 PM
|
3:15-4:15PM - Program Coordinator 101: From Concept to Execution - Program Coordinator 101: From Concept to Execution
Whether you're new to programming or looking to refine your approach, this seminar will guide you through the essential steps of building impactful community programs—from the first spark of an idea to the final participant evaluation. This topic is important because we will discuss identifying community needs through surveys and other indicators; planning creative, inclusive programs, using budget templates to allocate resources effectively; applying survey and data results to drive decision-making, managing timelines, logistics, stakeholder communication, and utilizing effective and proven marketing strategies to drive engagement. We will also discuss when to end a program when it has plateaued or declined.Speakers - Nick Campion, Jon "Kaz" Kazanjian & Christine Dean
|
|
|
|
|
Thursday January 15, 2026
|
|
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
|
9:00-10:00AM - OCR and American Ninja Warrior in Recreation - OCR and American Ninja Warrior in Recreation
Obstacle Course and Ninja Warrior events have over 6 million participants globally per year. Parks and Recreation has some of the best locations and structure to be able to host these events and continue to grow the sport while also providing a healthy driving sport for the community. Learn how to get started both personally and professionally with Obstacle Courses and/or Ninja Warrior. Participants will come away with an understanding on a how to incorporate OCR and ninja elements into field trips, large events, and also in house programing for fitness, and also how to turn these into a revenue source for their department. This session will be part presentation and part active learning on various elements found on a course or in a gym.Speaker - James Golisano
|
|
|
|
|
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
|
9:00-10:00AM - P&R vs. Library - Friend or Foe? - P&R vs. Library - Friend or Foe?
This session explores how a once-illicit and misunderstood relationship between Parks & Recreation and the Library can evolve into a strong, collaborative partnership. Participants will learn how aligning missions, sharing resources, and leveraging strengths can expand community reach and impact. Discover how working together fosters more inclusive, connected, and resilient communities.Speakers - Elaine Prue and Dawn Dellasanta
|
|
|
|
|
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
|
9:00-10:00AM - Say More Without Saying More - Say More Without Saying More
One skill that remains as valuable on the first day of your career as it does on your last is communication. Get an insightful primer into how we process information and see how the ways we typically share information works against us and discover simple ways to increase the impact of your message without increasing your word count.Speaker - Bobbi Nance
|
|
|
|
|
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
|
9:00-10:00AM - Women in Recreation - Women in Recreation
The growing contingent of women in the profession of parks and recreation needs a space to discuss program ideas in their own style and conversational manner. It is also an important space to discuss the challenges of being a woman in a male dominated field (and possibly organization or municipality) and how to advocate for yourself/ideas, build confidence, balance work & home life, avoid burnout, and create a network of other women to lean on for support. We hope people will leave with new peers and a mentor.Speakers - Brinn Sullivan & Caroline Neel
|
|
|
|
|
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
|
10:15-11:15AM - Endnote: Every Kid Needs a Champion - Endnote: Every Kid Needs a Champion
We entered recreation work to make a difference, but transforming good intentions into consistent reality requires more than caring—it demands systematic design. Recreation professionals often struggle to move from inspiring ideas like "every kid needs a champion" to actual implementation that works daily. This session explores how to actualize your mission through three essential elements: individual habits that sustain your work, intentional culture that reinforces your values, and robust systems that ensure no participant falls through the cracks. Learn how to build frameworks that turn your "why" into sustainable, measurable impact.Speaker - Jared Wunneburger
|
|
|
|