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
TAFE: Texas Association of Fairs and Events
- January 5-7, 2023 (Galveston, TX)
- https://www.texasfairs.com/p/2022-convention
ESPA: Event Service Professionals Association
- January 20-22, 2023 (Pittsburgh, PA)
- https://espaonline.org/conference/
SWPRTI: Southwest Parks and Recreation Training Institute
- February 5-8, 2023 (Hulbert, OK)
- https://swprti.org/2022-institute/
ACA: American Camp Association
- February 21-24, 2023 (Orlando, FL)
- https://www.acacamps.org/staff-professionals/events-professional-development/events/2023-aca-national-conference
TRAPS: Texas Recreation and Parks Society
- February 28-March 3, 2023 (Frisco, TX)
- https://traps.org/institute-and-expo/
PLA: Public Lands Alliance
- February 26-March 2, 2023 (Portland, OR)
- https://www.publiclandsalliance.org/what-we-do/convention
Children & Nature Network: International Conference
- June 12-15, 2023 (Estes Park, CO)
- https://www.childrenandnature.org/inside-out/
TTRA: Travel and Tourism Research Association
- June 2023 (TBA)
- https://ttra.com/conference
TACVB: Texas Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus
- August 29-September 2, 2022 (South Padre Island, TX)
- https://www.tacvb.org/education-events/annual-conference/
TTIA: Texas Travel Industry Association – Texas Travel Summit
- September 19-21, 2022 (Galveston, TX)
- https://www.ttia.org/event/2022TravelSummit
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
- September 19-21, 2022 (McAllen, TX)
- https://www.ifea.com/p/convention-and-expo/annualconvention
NAAEE: North American Association for Environmental Education
- October 11-14, 2022 (Tucson, AZ)
- https://conference.naaee.org/
NOLS: National Outdoor Leadership School; Wilderness Risk Managers Conference
- October 19-21, 2022 (Burlington, VT)
- https://www.nols.edu/en/risk-services/wilderness-risk-management-conference/
Tourism Naturally Conference 2022
- October 26-27, 2022 (Virtual)
- https://sites.warnercnr.colostate.edu/tourism-conference/
RCRA: Resort and Commercial Recreation Association
- November 5-8, 2022 (Captiva, FL)
- https://www.rcra.org/
- Contact Dr. Petrick if you’re interested in attending! Aggies are going!
TFEA: Texas Festivals and Events Association
- November 13-16, 2022 (Del Rio, TX)
- https://www.tfea.org/p/conference
AORE: Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education
- November 2-4, 2022 (Myrtle Beach, SC)
- https://aore.org/annual_conference.php
IAAPA: International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions
- November 14-17, 2022 (Orlando, FL)
- https://www.iaapa.org/expos/iaapa-expo
NAI: National Association for Interpretation
- November 29-December 3, 2022 (Cleveland, Ohio)
- https://www.interpnet.com/conference
TAPHERD: Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance
- November 30- December 3, 2022 (Corpus Christi, TX)
- https://www.tahperd.org/web/Online/Events/Annual_Convention.aspx
USTOA: United States Tour Operators Association
- November 28 – December 2, 2022 (Austin, TX)
- https://ustoa.com/
IATDG: International Association of Tour Directors and Guides
- November 6-10, 2022 (Chicago, IL)
- https://iatdg.regfox.com/iatdg-2022-tourconnect