Why you should attend a State or National Conference?
To network with professionals, attend educational sessions, interview for positions…and to recreate!
Conferences & Workshops
*Conferences indicated by an asterisk below are eligible for funding assistance for RPTS undergraduates. Students must submit an application to be considered.
RPTS Graduate Students may apply for Mini-Grants to assist with conference expenses.
Amusement Parks and Attractions
- November 18-22, 2019 (Orlando, FL)
- Normally a few “apprenticeships” are offered by IAAPA for the annual expo to assist organizers; very intensive short-term experience with numerous networking opportunities (application deadline May 1)
USTOA: United States Tour Operators Association
- USTOA: Dec. 2-6, 2019 (Orlando, FL)
TAPHERD: Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance
- December 4-7, 2019 (Arlington, Texas)
- Student registration fee for conference $35 on/before Nov. 1 or $45 after Nov. 1
TAFE: Texas Association of Fairs and Events
- January 9-12, 2020 (Galveston, TX)
ESPA: Event Service Professionals Association
- January 10, 2020 (Denver, CO)
- Conference registration fee waived for students who pay $25 membership fee and volunteer at the conference
TACVB: Texas Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus
- January 27-29, 2020 (Boerne, TX)
SWPRTI: Southwest Parks and Recreation Training Institute
- February 2-5, 2020 (Hulbert, OK)
- $1000 (plus registration & housing for conference) Undergraduate Scholarship available; $1500 Graduate Scholarship
Apply by Nov. 15, 2019
*ACA: American Camp Association
- February 11-14, 2020 (San Diego, CA)
- Student Memberships $35/year
- Complimentary (free) registration for full-time students; does not include meal functions or ticketed events, but students may purchase these separately
- RPTS Undergraduates may apply for funding assistance (application due Dec. 1, 2019):
*TRAPS: Texas Recreation and Parks Society
- February 24-28, 2020 (Galveston, TX)
- Conference registration fee waived for students who pay $25 membership fee and volunteer at the conference
- RPTS Undergraduates may apply for funding assistance (application due Dec. 1, 2019)
PLA: Public Lands Alliance
- March 1-5, 2020 (Arlington, VA)
Texas Trails & Active Transportation Conference
- March 25-27, 2020 (San Antonio,TX)
- Students can contact ttat@biketexas.org or call 512-476-7433 before registering to see about full or partial scholarships ($450 registration fee).
Children & Nature Network: International Conference
- May 2020 (TBA)
TTRA: Travel and Tourism Research Association
- June 2020 (TBA)
TFEA: Texas Festivals and Events Association
- August 2020 (TBA)
TACVB: Texas Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus
- August 2020 (TBA)