Virginia Recreation & Park Society 's Annual Conference provides access to a field of leaders and financial decision makers throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.  
2016 VRPS Annual Conference
Trending Education Sessions
Do you need another reason to attend the 2016 VRPS Annual Conference?  Explore the Possibilities with over 50 education sessions at this year's Conference in Roanoke, Virginia. 

Take a look at three education sessions that focus on trending hot topics in the Parks and Recreation field!
Transgender Issues in Recreation and Parks 
Gender identity issues are an emerging and significant area throughout the U.S., including in the legal and practical administration of parks and recreation departments. The purposes of this workshop is to educate participants on the vocabulary and issues raised by gender identity, and to facilitate a discussion as to how departments might resolve those issues.
Speaker: Dr. Benjamin H. Carr, Jr., Associate Professor, Graduate Director, James Madison University
Date: November 6, 2016
Session Time: 1:30 - 2:45 p.m. 
Location: Shenandoah Room
The Current Landscape of Marijuana in 2016
Marijuana has now been legalized in 4 states and the District of Columbia.  It is of utmost importance that other states have the most up today information and data around the impact of this substance.  This presentation will explain a brief history of marijuana in legalized states as well as the most up today current impact on communities in these states and how that will impact Virginia. 
 
Speaker: Nancy Hans, Executive Director, Prevention Council of Roanoke County
Date: November 7, 2016
Time: 8:30 - 9:45 a.m. 
Location: Crystal Ballroom E
Trends in Parks and Recreation...What's Hot and What's Not 
A challenge for any Parks and Recreation Professional is to stay on top of the latest trends in programming.  Once members of the community get word of a program or activity that they think is interesting, they will often look to your agency to see whether or not is is provided.

Speaker: Art Thatcher, CRPR, MPA. Project Manager, GreenPlay LLC
Date: November 7, 2016
Time: 2:30 - 3:45 p.m. 
Location: Shenandoah Room