The NRPA Congress & Exposition: Reaching New Heights.

We call the September Parks & Recreation magazine the official "Congress" issue because we want to give you a greater glimpse into the sites and sounds that you will experience during the 2000 NRPA Congress & Exposition. I hope you are able to join with us in Phoenix, AZ. This will be the 36th annual NRPA Congress and we have grown in attendance--in the form of both delegates and industry support--to a level that I'm not sure was imaginable even three years ago.

The cancellation of the 1998 NRPA Congress in Miami Beach due to Hurricane Georges was an unprecedented event in the Association's history, and one that caused hardship for many of us. But the "collective NRPA"--all the elements internal and external to us that make up who we are--rallied to produce the largest attended and most successful NRPA Congress the following year in Nashville.

Advance registration and housing requests show that we will have an even higher attendance this year in Phoenix. The NRPA Trade Show is also at record numbers in terms of number of companies that will join with us and the total number of booths sold. We are grateful to the "collective NRPA" for their confidence and continued support and in turn, we will provide attendees with an educational and entertainment experience that will be rewarding and fun.

Including all of the Institutes and Special Focus Seminars, the NRPA Congress will offer more than 300 educational opportunities for you to learn and to earn CEU's. The NRPA General Sessions will provide inspirational keynote addresses, entertainment with a "southwestern flare," and the opportunity to be introduced to fellow NRPA members and supporters for their efforts in advancing parks and recreation over the past year. The NRPA Trade Show will give you the opportunity to see and experience first-hand the latest products and services from industry. And let's not forget the All Congress Social at Rawhide (the rumor that I will ride the first bull at the demonstration rodeo is not true!) as well as the branch and section socials that will provide you with the opportunity to relax and meet new friends.

Of course an NRPA Congress is also a chance for the Association's governing bodies to meet and conduct the business of NRPA. As many of you know, NRPA is working with consultants in reviewing the governance of the Association, to see if we are operating in a manner that is best-suited to today and tomorrow's environment. We have solicited input from all the branches and sections and affiliates of NRPA, and will be informing you of the changes from this study and self-review. You will read more about this in future issues of Parks & Recreation magazine after the Congress.

Thanks again to all of you who support the work and efforts of NRPA. We hope you can join with us in person at the 2000 NRPA Congress & Exposition as we continue to reach new heights as an organization in so many ways.