Why attend a State or National Conference?
To network with professionals, attend educational sessions, interview for positions…and to recreate!
RPTS Graduate Students may apply for Mini-Grants to assist with conference expenses.
Mini-Grant Checklist and Application
Professional Conferences and Workshops
TACVB: Texas Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus
- August 25-27, 2021 (Conroe, TX)
- https://www.tacvb.org/page/AnnualConferenceHome
TTIA: Texas Travel Industry Association – Texas Travel Summit
- September 13-15, 2021 (Amarillo, TX)
- https://www.ttia.org/event/TravelSummit2021
NRPA: National Recreation and Park Association
- September 21-23, 2021 (Nashville, TN & Virtual)
- Conference registration fee waived for students who pay $50 membership fee and volunteer at the conference
- https://www.nrpa.org/conference/registration/registration-hotels/
ISTTE: International Society of Travel and Tourism Educators
- October 4-6, 2021 (Virtual & Free for Graduate Students)
- https://www.istte.org/CONFERENCES/2021conferenceregistration/
IFEA: International Festivals and Events Association
- TBA
NAAEE: North American Association for Environmental Education
- October 4-15 (Virtual; Dates for research Symposium, Conference & Meetings)
- https://conference.naaee.org/conference
NOLS: National Outdoor Leadership School; Wilderness Risk Managers Conference
- October 18-22, 2021 (Virtual)
- https://www.nols.edu/en/risk-services/wilderness-risk-management-conference/
RCRA: Resort and Commercial Recreation Association
- November 6-9, 2021 (Pine Mountains, GA)
- https://www.rcra.org/2021-national-conference
TFEA: Texas Festivals and Events Association
- November 10-14, 2021 (San Antonio, TX)
- https://www.tfea.org/p/conference
IAAPA: International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions
- November 15-18, 2021 (Orlando, FL)
- https://www.iaapa.org/expos/iaapa-expo
National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance
- November 5-18, 2021 (Roanoke, Virginia)
- https://www.wildernessalliance.org/2021_nww
NAI: National Association for Interpretation
- November 30-December 4, 2021 (Palm Springs, CA)
- https://www.interpnet.com/conference
TAPHERD: Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance
- December 1-4, 2021 (Arlington, Texas)
- https://www.tahperd.org/web/Online/Events/Annual_Convention.aspx
USTOA: United States Tour Operators Association
- USTOA: Dec. 7-11, 2021 (San Diego, CA)
- https://ustoa.com/events/2021-USTOA-Annual-Conference
TAFE: Texas Association of Fairs and Events
- January 6-8, 2022 (Galveston, TX)
- https://www.texasfairs.com/p/2022-convention/2022-tafe-convention
ESPA: Event Service Professionals Association
- January 21-23, 2022 (Kansas City, KS)
- https://espaonline.org/2022-save-the-date/
SWPRTI: Southwest Parks and Recreation Training Institute
- February 6-9, 2022 (Hulbert, OK)
- https://swprti.org/2022-institute/
ACA: American Camp Association
- February 8-11, 2022 (Portland, OR)
- https://www.acacamps.org/staff-professionals/events-professional-development/events/2022-aca-national-conference
TRAPS: Texas Recreation and Parks Society
- February 15-18, 2022 (College Station, TX)
- https://traps.org/institute-and-expo/
PLA: Public Lands Alliance
- March 6-10, 2022 (St. Louis, MO)
- https://www.publiclandsalliance.org/what-we-do/convention
Children & Nature Network: International Conference
- May 9-12, 2022 (Atlanta, GA)
- https://www.childrenandnature.org/inside-out/
TTRA: Travel and Tourism Research Association
- Summer 2022 (TBD)
- https://ttra.com/
AORE: Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education
- November 2-4, 2022 (Myrtle Beach, SC)
- https://www.aore.org/