Conference Events

Experience an array of pre-conference & special events!

These events take place in tandem with CONNECTIONS 2026; however, some take place at off-site locations. Additional fees apply.

Welcome Reception

Date & Time: Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 6:00-9:00pm

Neon Nights: Parks After Dark

Don't forget to bring your ticket! (Included in full conference registration)

As the sun goes down, get ready to light up the night with the brightest minds in recreation at CONNECTIONS 2026!

Enjoy interactive activities, some yummy food options, and photo-worthy neon decor that will light up your night. Whether you're here to meet new friends, reconnect with old ones, or experience Long Beach like never before, this electrifying event is the perfect way to kick off the conference.

Come dressed to shine and make your night glow!

District & Section Intensives and Institutes

*More pre-conference and special events coming soon. Check back regularly for updates!

Aquatics Section Intensive

March 10, 2026 at 1:00pm - 5:00pm

Dive into the 2026 Aquatics Intensive! Kick off conference week by joining fellow aquatics professionals for a half day dedicated to the latest trends, challenges, and innovations in the field. Connect with industry peers, explore current topics, and gain valuable insights through dynamic educational sessions designed to strengthen your programs and elevate your expertise.

Click here for more information and to register.

Aging Service & Activities Section Intensive

March 10, 2026 at 9:00am - 4:00pm

Join the Aging Section for the First Ever Beach Cities Senior Center Tour!

Embark on an all-day immersive experience touring three vibrant senior centers: Long Beach Senior Center, Newport Beach Senior Center, and Huntington Beach Senior Center. This exciting event offers a unique chance to explore a variety of senior programs and services across the beach cities.

Travel comfortably by bus with fellow attendees and enjoy a full day packed with:

Guided tours of each senior center

An interactive roundtable networking session to connect and share ideas

Engaging educational sessions to deepen your understanding of senior services

Delicious lunch and snacks provided throughout the day

At day’s end, the bus will transport everyone to the Aging Section social near the convention center—a perfect setting to unwind, continue networking, and make lasting connections in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.

Click here for more information and to register.

Park Development & Operations Symposium

March 10, 2026 at 8:00am - 2:00pm

Join Development & Operations Section for an exciting and engaging pre-conference symposium at Del Valle Park in Lakewood. Network with professionals in the parks and maintenance fields, hear about exciting new trends for experts and see our sponsors showcase their latest products. Breakfast and Lunch are included in your registration. Sign up today.

Click here for more information and to register.

Recreation Section Intensive

March 10, 2026 at 1:00pm - 4:00pm

In parks and recreation, leadership is more than just managing programs; it is about inspiring teams, shaping communities, and finding balance in our own lives. This session invites parks and recreation professionals to explore what type of leader they are, how to adapt to their team’s needs, and how to bring their best self to every space they lead, from the office to their own home. Leadership is not a title, it is a practice, and this session is designed to stretch your thinking about who you are as a leader and who you want to become.

Click here for more information and to register.

Recreation Therapy "RT" Institute 

March 10, 2026 at 6:45am - 6:15pm

Click here for more information and to register.

6:45 am – 7:45 am | Morning Mingle 

Coffee Networking at Starbucks 11 The Paseo, Long Beach, CA 90802 

Join us for networking over complimentary coffee and pastries, followed by a guided  walk to the RT Institute. 

8:00 am – 9:30 am | Opening Session, Awards, Scholarships, and Installation

0.15 CEU Hours 

We Hold the Keys: Unlocking Our Power to Lead, Advocate, and Advance.
Presenter: Brent Wolfe, Ph.D., LRT, CTRS, FDRT 

9:45 am – 10:45 am | Sessions 

0.1 CEU Hours (Choose 1 of 2) 

Bridging the Gap: The Impact of Community-Based Therapeutic Recreation for Adults with Developmental Disabilities.
Presenters: Angela Lightner, MS, CTRS & Taylor Askil, CTRS

Music Therapy for Stress Management and Burnout Prevention. Connections
Presenter: Ami Kunimura, Ph.D., MT-BC 

11:00 am – 12:30 pm | Sessions 

0.15 CEU Hours (Choose 1 of 2) 

Inclusion: What Does It Really Mean? 
Presenter: Patti LaPlace, MPA, RTC

Movement Matters: Adapting Physical Activity for Diverse Populations in Recreation Therapy.
Presenter: Sharmayne B. Whitehead, MS, CTRS

12:30 pm – 1:45 pm | Group Lunch off-site 

1:45 pm – 3:15 pm | Sessions 

0.15 CEU Hours (Choose 1 of 2) 

Finding the Key Together: Using Escape Rooms to Unlock Growth.
Presenter: Nancy Nisbett, Ed.D., CTRS, RTC, FDRT  

Recreation Therapy as a Related Service in Public Schools: What every RT needs to know!
Presenters: Kathryn Hoar, RTC, CTRS & Jennifer Mayer, RTC, CTRS

3:30 pm – 5:00 pm | Sessions 

0.15 CEU Hours (Choose 1 of 2)

Conjunction Box or Integrated Circuit? Extending Our Reach to Caregivers
Presenter: Veda E. Ward, PhD, CPRP

Direct to Consumer Series: Navigating Your Service Agreement & Closing the DEAL!!
Presenter: Myisha Jones, CTRS

5:15 pm – 6:15 pm | Closing Session 

0.1 CEU Hour 

From Burnout to Breakthrough: Reigniting the Flame
Presenter: Tamica Clement Moore (Baylor), MS, CTRS

More Events

Certified Playground Safety Inspector

March 10-12, 2025

Hyatt Regency Long Beach within the Seaview Ballrooms (200 S Pine Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802)

Following completion of the exam on March 12th, participants will receive complimentary access to the exhibit hall (open until 3 pm).  

More information and register here.

Parks Make Life Better!® Tour

Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at 8:00am - 4:30pm

Spend the day visiting and learning about a variety of remarkable parks and recreation facilities in the Long Beach area.  This guided tour will highlight the creative vision, operations, partnerships, and community impact behind these spaces. Attendees will hear directly from local staff and operators while experiencing these parks as a first-time visitor.  Stay tuned for details on the specific stops.  

Take advantage of this fantastic opportunity to network, gain inspiration, and explore some of the region’s most impactful parks and recreation projects!

Registration includes group transportation, snacks, and bagged lunch.

Click here for more information and to register.

CFPR “Foundation Cup” Golf Tournament

Tuesday, March 10, 2026

The Foundation Cup is a 4 person scramble format golf tournament. Tournament proceeds will benefit the California Foundation for Parks & Recreation through the services, programs, and scholarships to support California communities.

More information and register here.

Youth Sports Administrator Academy Prep Session, NAYS

Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at 10:00am - 3:30pm

The CPRS Recreation Section will offer a Pre-Conference institute to become an industry recognized Certified Youth Sports Administrator (CYSA). Join other professionals for the interactive NAYS Academy Prep Session that is designed to enhance the learning experience, provide networking opportunities and prepares CYSA candidates to complete the certification process via the Online Academy on NAYS.ORG at a discounted rate!

More information and register here.

Rising Stars & Guiding Lights Brunch

Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 10:30am - 12:15pm

Hyatt Regency Long Beach, Beacon Ballroom Rotunda

This is the time to celebrate the rising stars of the park and recreation profession, bring together the guiding lights of our industry, and work to support the California Foundation for Parks & Recreation (a 501(c)3 non-profit entity) to continue their work supporting professionals and the communities we serve.  

More information and register here.

Research to Practice Symposium

Wednesday, March 11 and Thursday, March 12, 2026 (presentations on Thursday)

Exhibit Hall A

The CPRS Research to Practice Symposium provides a forum to exchange and discuss new knowledge developed through research. We welcome and encourage submissions from student researchers, in addition to faculty and other researchers.

Submission Portal 

*FREE to attend, no ticket required.

How to Register

Unless specified otherwise, none of the events detailed on this page are included with CONNECTIONS registration – a separate “ticket” must be purchased. However, registration for nearly all pre-conference events is attached to CONNECTIONS registration.

CLICK HERE to access the registration page.   

If you wish to only attend the pre-conference event and not the conference itself, select the “Intensives and Tickets Only” item from the “Registration Options.”   

If you wish to attend the pre-conference event in addition to some or all of the conference, select the appropriate item from the “Registration Options” list.  Answer the questions and click the “Save Responses” button.   

To add the pre-conference event to your itinerary, scroll down to the “Program” area and review the items listed under “Tuesday, 10 March 2026” (or the appropriate date). Click the blue “Add” button next to the intensive – you should then see a yellow “In itinerary” icon. If you are attending some/all of conference, be sure to select the other relevant program items for the days you’ll be in attendance. Now click the “Proceed to Checkout” button to complete your transaction.

   

NOTE: Registration for the Certified Playground Safety Inspector Course & Exam is separate from CONNECTIONS 2026; see the details below for specific registration instructions.   

Prices

Once on the registration page, please login to see current prices.

Recreation Section Intensive

Early (by 11/12/25)

Regular (11/13/20-01/21/26)

Late (01/22/26 onwards)

Members

 $50 $55

$60

Non-members

 $55 $60

$65

Recreation Therapy "RT Institute 

Early (by 11/12/25)

Regular (11/13/20-01/21/26)

Late (01/22/26 onwards)

Members

 $195 $235

$255

Non-members

 $235 $285

$305

Student members

 $55 $60

$65

Youth Sports Administrator Academy Prep Session, NAYS

Early (by 11/12/25)

Regular (11/13/20-01/21/26)

Late (01/22/26 onwards)

Members

 $285 $325

$375

Non-members

 $325 $375

$425

Student members

 $225 $230

$235

Rising Stars & Guiding Lights Brunch

Early (by 11/12/25)

Regular (11/13/20-01/21/26)

Late (01/22/26 onwards)

Members

 $55 $65

$70

Non-members

 $60 $70

$75

REGISTER HERE

Registration

To register for pre-conference events, simply select them during the registration process for the 2026 CONNECTIONS Conference.

At a Glance

Join us for CONNECTIONS 2026, where industry leaders, innovators, and professionals come together for three days of learning, networking, and discovery. Get a quick look at the schedule, explore the Expo Hall, and plan your stay!

Register here

Schedule at a glance 

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Expo Hall

COMING SOON

Hotels

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