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"Make No Little Plans," Attend by Kay Kastel Forest, CAE Visionary planner and architect Daniel Burnham made no little plans when he designed Chicago's front yard, Grant Park. The IAPD/IPRA Joint Conference Committee and the host—the Chicago Park District—adopted the spirit of Burnham's words in planning an exciting 1993 Illinois Park and Recreation Conference for the members of IAPD and IPRA. To be held January 7-10, 1993 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Chicago, the focal point of our conference this year is the excellent workshops and educational sessions. Twenty-one in-depth 3-6 hour workshops will take place from Thursday through Saturday along with more than 100 educational sessions. Topics cover a wide range. To highlight just a few, they include: managing and motivating staff; customer service; alternative revenue sources; new playground safety standards; legislative updates; conservation education; multi-cultural program; grants and funding opportunities; political realities for park districts; fitness centers, junior golf; historic buildings; cooperative agreements; and generating a successful referendum. The sessions are designed to appeal to all levels of staff, the elected commissioner and park board member. We are extremely lucky to be able to bring together the lay citizen board members and the professional staff of agencies to discuss the challenges and future of parks, recreation, and conservation in Illinois. In light of the demands placed on all agencies by taxpayers and consumers and the current status of the economy, it becomes more necessary for all of us to be better educated. The 1993 Conference will provide a means to accomplish this urgent task. Another highlight of the conference is the 240 booth exhibit hall. The Chicago Park District will construct a replica of Buckingham Fountain complete with moving lights that give the illusion of water. The fountain will be surrounded by a park area decorated with trees, shrubs, flowers and benches. A visit to the Wacker Hall exhibit area will provide an opportunity to stroll in the park and see the newest "state-of-the-art" equipment and services available in the field of parks and recreation. Several buffets will be available in this area for full conference delegates. Mayor Richard M. Daley has been invited to welcome the delegates at the Friday keynote luncheon. The most prestigious awards of IAPD and IPRA will be given out at this time. Delegates will be entertained this year by the motivational singing group—Walt Whitman and the Soul Children of Chicago. On Saturday, January 9 from 5:00-6:45 p.m. the whales of the John G. Shedd Aquarium/Oceanarium will welcome the delegates to their underwater domain. A special show will take place for delegates and their families and guests at 6:15 p.m. Tickets must be purchased in advance for this event. It's only a short walk to the Field Grand Finale tour and "Taste of Chicago" from 7-10 p.m. While sampling some of Chicago's finest specialty foods, delegates will be able to wander through the treasures of the Field Museum. Tickets are required for this event also. The Hyatt Regency Chicago will serve as the headquarter hotel. Located on the Magnificent Mile near many of Chicago's well known attractions, the hotel will offer luxurious accommodations at reasonable rates for those attending the conference. We hope that all agencies will make attendance at the annual conference a priority. Not only does it offer an opportunity for excellent continuing education at an affordable price, it also offers a stimulating exchange of information and ideas. "Make no little plans" and attend the finest state park and recreation conference in the nation. About the author Kay Kastel Forest, CAE, is IPRA Executive Director and Conference Manager.
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