Finding the best at NRPA National Congress: Congress is a haven to exchange ideas.

As Henry Ford once said, "Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success." On Oct. 12, NRPA will open the 2004 Congress & Exhibition in Reno/Lake Tahoe, Nev., where park and recreation professionals can celebrate their successes, learn from one another and find new ideas. The conference is many things to many people--it's a chance to reconnect with friends and colleagues, meet new citizens and professionals committed to our mission, and learn the latest, greatest tips and techniques of our profession. Not only can attendees view the latest equipment and supplies from a cache of vendors, but they will learn and be inspired by an area of our country that is both exciting and beautiful.

Someone once told me there is no such thing as a new recreation program, but the cities of Reno and Sparks, as well as Lake Tahoe and the surrounding areas of Nevada, may prove that theory wrong. The region has much to offer in the way of programming that will provide new ideas on how departments can shape their own communities. During your stay, you'll have the opportunity to visit local sites of interest in and around Reno. When it comes to recreation and fun, the area's agencies practice what we preach.

One of the hardest working committees in NRPA is the congress program committee who met in Reno in early February to determine the program educational format and speakers this year. They haven't stopped working ever since to bring the very best in the field to the floor of Congress.

The four days of educational sessions feature prominent nationally known speakers and resource professionals who are knowledgeable and capable of imparting their essential information to the attendees.

Our profession's needs are constantly changing, so the products we purchase and provide to our constituents must be the safest, most reliable and innovative. The four-plus acres of exhibit space provide attendees with direct access to more than 600 companies and their product lines. The ability to see, test and acquire a "hands on" knowledge of the products we use in our profession is a major advantage. Attendees also have the opportunity to meet face-to-face with company representatives from many lines of new and existing products.

Meetings about NRPA governance are also conducted during this time by the various groups in the association, to improve the capacity, capabilities and quality of service we offer members. These groups will help to map our future and also recognize the outstanding efforts of members, professional and citizen, through a variety of awards presentations.

A National Congress is not possible without the able assistance of the local host. More than 1,000 volunteers will assist in conducting the meetings, registering guests and helping you reach your desired destination. The names of the key local hosts are too numerous to mention, but many will be recognized at Congress for their tremendous efforts.

Congress also marks the transition to new leadership in NRPA. I will be relinquishing my role as President to Lori Daniel. Our Board of Trustees Chair David Lose also turns the reins over to Ron Lehman. We thank all of you for your support of NRPA this past year and look to many good years ahead for our association.

Congress is too large to encapsulate in this article--you must see it for yourself. I urge you to register and attend NRPA's National Congress. Join the other 8,000 estimated attendees for this spectacular event.

For more information visit the NRPA Web site at www. nrpa.org or the Reno/Lake Tahoe Web site at www.reno laketahoe.com/.