Experience needed: these three Congress 'rookies' hit the conference for the first time and prepare to share their experiences.

A person's first time at NRPA's Congress & Exposition can be eye-opening, inspiring and life-affirming. Attendees learn about different topics, see amazing products and make friendships and connections that can last a lifetime. Parks & Recreation magazine asked three first-time attendees to chronicle their experience in Seattle at Congress, and share some of their insights with readers.

Below are the introductions to a professional, a student and a citizen member who are all excited to experience Congress. As they spend time in Seattle absorbing all there is to see, they'll write in a journal about the week.

Andrea Anzelone

Corporate Challenge Coordinator, City of Las Vegas, Nev.

Spending nearly 30 years in Las Vegas as a resident, Andrea Anzelone always had an interest in helping the public. When she attended school, her advisor suggested pursuing a degree in recreation, and for the past nine years, she has volunteered and worked for the city's recreation department.

Anzelone is a certified therapeutic recreation professional, and is currently pursuing her master's degree in public administration while she manages the Las Vegas Corporate Challenge for the city--a program that has been around for 22 years. "I love it," she says. "We as a city want to promote health and wellness through the corporate challenge."

She says she has heard "great things" about NRPA's Congress, and is looking forward to the inclusion training and sessions that focus on working with people who have disabilities.

Jeffrey Lloyd

Graduate student, Western Kentucky University 

Jeffrey Lloyd has always been interested in athletics, since his days as a young boy in a small town playing backyard ball. When he went to college, he looked for a way to turn that love into a paying job. He found his calling in sports administration, and has continued his studies into the graduate level.

"I love athletics--being outdoors, being in shape, fitness and exercise;' he says. Although he hasn't decided whether he wants to work at the university level or at a municipal level with children, Lloyd knows it will be based in sports.

Because of his love for athletics, he says he is looking forward to Congress in Seattle, and wants to "see it all."

Lloyd will also be honored at the conference by the AFRS branch for his dedication to the field. He will be given a $500 scholarship and attendance to Congress.

Nancy Wallerstein

Johnson County Park and Recreation Board Member, Kan.

Nancy Wallerstein's volunteerism all started with kids. As a mother, parks became an important part of her family and community, so she became a member of the park board, and has served seven years for the county, in addition to serving on the Prairie Village City Council. During her time as a board member, Wallerstein has helped successfully pass a $4.8 million renovation to the pool complex.

Because her position as a citizen board member touches so much within the county, Wallerstein says she's interested in sessions at Congress that are "all over the place." She is specifically looking to learn more about off-leash dogparks, sports and programming.

All three participants will share their experiences in an article in Parks & Recreation December issue as part of the NRPA Congress wrap-up.