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GENERAL INFORMATION

WELCOME AND GREETINGS TO ALL!

"Soaring to New Heights with Parks, Recreation and Conservation," is the theme of the 2006 IAPD/IPRA State Conference.

The word "soaring" conjures images of the magnificent bald eagle - the living symbol of America's freedom, spirit and pursuit of excellence. Those of us in this wonderful field of parks, recreation and conservation share that same pursuit of excellence.

The IAPD/IPRA Annual Conference is "the place" to see that excellence in action. Thousands of park and recreation professionals, elected officials and students participate in hundreds of educational sessions packed with information on the hottest trends in the field. At this year's conference, you will find a remarkable line up of sessions that will feather your nest with information on everything from construction and grant writing to legal issues and technology. At our pre-conference workshops, earn CEUs and learn how to make your agency run more smoothly and more profitably. And remember that "birds of a feather flock together," so take the time catch up with old friends and make some new ones along the way.

Spread your wings and prepare to take flight! We can't wait to see you "Soaring to New Heights with Parks, Recreation and Conservation" at the 2006 IAPD/IPRA Conference in Chicago.

SUE COTTINGHAM
IPRA Conference Chair
Facility Manager
Morton Grove Park District

MICKEY MACHOLL
IAPD Conference Chair
Commissioner
Hanover Park Park District

Published by:
ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF PARK DISTRICTS
211 E. Monroe Street Springfield, IL 62701
217/523-4554 Fax: 217/523-4273
www.ILparks.org

ILLINOIS PARK AND RECREATION ASSOCIATION
1815 S. Meyers Rd., Suite 400
Oak Brook Terrace, IL 60181
630/376-1911
Fax: 630/376-1919
www.ILipra.org

Designed by:
GOSS GRAPHIC DESIGN
1806 North Oakcrest Avenue
Decatur, IL 62526
217/423-4739
www.gossgrfx.com

FIND IT FAST

Agency Showcase 2006                           19 [see this page]
Conference-at-a-Glance                         23
Conference Exhibitors                        44-46
Exhibit Hall Information                           20[see this page]
General Information                          19-22[see this page]
Student Events                                         22[see this page]

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26
Evening Social                                         28
Office Support Workshopand Luncheon        27[see page 24]
Pre-Conference Workshops                24-27

FRIDAY, JANUARY 27
CEU Workshops                                 29-33
Educational Sessions at-a-Glance           29[see page 29]
Opening General Session with Joel Zeff                 31[see page 29]
Table Reservation System                        22 [see this page]

SATURDAY, JANUARY 28
CEU Workshops                                 34-38
Educational Sessions at-a-Glance           34[see page 34]
Saturday Evening Event                           39[see page 34]

REGISTRATION FORMS
Advance Registration Form, Extra Meal Tickets,Spouse/Guest Registration                      43
Housing Form                                         40
Pre-Conference/Office Support Workshop Form                                  42
Professional Connection Registration Form                               41

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17-18 Illinois Parks and Recreation www.ILipra.org


Accessibility

Parking: Parking at the Hilton Chicago is accessible for persons with disabilities.
Restrooms: All restrooms are accessible.
Meeting Rooms: All meeting rooms are accessible.
Restaurants: All restaurants are accessible.
Sleeping Rooms: The Hilton Chicago has available accessible rooms located on lower floors for easy access from the elevators. These floors have been designed for individuals with special needs. If you are in need of an accessible room, please be sure to notify the Hilton Chicago or the Palmer House Hilton when making your reservation.

A.D.A. & Services for the Hearing Impaired

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the IAPD/IPRA Joint Conference Committee will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please indicate any special needs on your registration form, or call IAPD at 847/496-4449 no later than December 19, 2005. If you have special needs regarding hotel accommodations, please contact the Hilton Chicago at 312/922-4400 or the Palmer House Hilton at 312/726-7500. Hearing impaired individuals who require TTDs may call 1/800-526-0844 and the Illinois Relay Center will transmit the message to IAPD or IPRA.

Admission

Admission to the exhibit hall and educational sessions will be by badge only. Security guards will be stationed at the entrance to the exhibit hall and at all educational sessions.

Agency Showcase 2006

The 2006 Agency Showcase offers an opportunity for all park and recreation agencies to showcase their talent, to share ideas and to recognize the best print and audio-visual marketing and promotions materials in the state.

Professionals in the public relations, marketing and communications fields will judge nine categories. The best of show winners will be recognized at the IPRA annual meeting on Friday, January 27 at 5:30 p.m. The video entries will be shown during designated times throughout the conference. Suggestions from the judges will be provided to all entering agencies. Selected showcase entries will be on display during the conference. The agency showcase entry form will be available to each agency in October online at www.IL.ipra.org or you may contact IPRA for an entry form. For more information about the 2006 Agency Showcase, contact Matt White at matt@ILipra.org. To be eligible, an agency must be a member of IAPD or have a member of IPRA on staff at the agency. Entry deadline is October 31, 2005.

All Conference Luncheon and Awards Show

This year the IAPD/IPRA delegation will experience a phenomenal show. The "full-package" delegate receives a ticket for this event. Sit back, enjoy and honor the leaders and volunteers in the parks and recreation field.

Annual Meetings for IAPD and IPRA

The Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) annual meeting will be held on Friday, January 27, 2006 at 5:30 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom, Second Level.

The Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) annual meeting will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2006 at 4:00 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom, Second Level.

The associations have staggered their annual meetings in order to accommodate elected officials and professionals who would like to attend one or both meetings. Association awards will be presented during these meetings.

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Boardwalk/Park Place

You won't want to miss the opportunity to network with your fellow commissioners, professionals and colleagues from across the state in the Boardwalk/Park Place. This networking lounge is located in the Northeast Exhibit Hall, Lower Level.

Commissioner Reception

Attention all IAPD members! Please join us on Friday, January 27, 2006 at 5:45 p.m. This reception will be an excellent opportunity for commissioners to exchange ideas, network and socialize. The IAPD board and staff will be present to answer questions and visit with commissioners. Invitations will be sent in the near future.

www.ilparks.org September/October 2005 19


Cyber Cafe

You won't want to miss the new and improved Cyber Cafe area. Keeping up with technology, the Cyber Cafe is back. You will be able to check your e-mail, navigate park, and recreation agency web sites and learn more about your state associations' sites.

Location: Northeast Exhibit Hall, Lower Level

Hours available:
Thursday, January 26       1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Friday, January 27           9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 28        9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

SPECIAL THANKS TO ICS ADVANTAGE

Sole-sponsor for the computer equipment in the Cyber Cafe

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Exhibit Hall Information

The 2006 IAPD/IPRA Exhibit Hall will be open at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 26. Delegates registered for the full conference package will receive a ticket to exchange in the exhibit hall for a beverage and light snack between 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Come visit more than 360 commercial manufacturers, distributors, designers and educational booths. The exhibits will showcase the newest equipment, supplies, ideas and services available to park, recreation, forest preserve, conservation and therapeutic agencies. Plan to spend several hours in the exhibit hall viewing the displays and visiting with the exhibitors. All exhibits will be located in the Northeast, Northwest, Southeast and Southwest Exhibit Halls on the Lower Level.

At this year's exhibit hall, you could win a Walt Disney travel package, weekend trips to various Illinois state parks and many other fabulous prizes. Be ready — the conference will be giving away cash awards to delegates at various times during the conference. Entry blanks will be in the ticket packets you receive when you check in at the main conference registration desk. You must be present to win. Rules and regulations will apply.

Exhibit Hall hours:

Thursday, January 26:
2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., Grand Opening
Friday, January 27:
9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 28:
9:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m.

The IAPD/IPRA conference has the largest exhibit hall of any state park and recreation conference in the country. Be sure to visit and win!

SPECIAL THANKS TO W-T ENGINEERING, INC.

Sole sponsor of exhibit hall events

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Event Locations

Registration: Northeast Exhibit Hall, Lower Level

Conference Information Center/Headquarters: Mobley Room, Lower Level

Exhibits: Northeast, Northwest, Southeast and Southwest Exhibit Halls, Lower Level

Thursday Social: International Ballroom, Second Floor

Educational Sessions/CEU Workshops: Lobby, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth and Eighth Levels

All Conference Luncheon and Awards Show: International Ballroom

Saturday Evening Social: ESPN ZONE (shuttle service will be available to and from the Hilton Chicago).

Housing and Hotel Registration
MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS EARLY!

Our host hotel is the Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60605, 312/922-4400
Rates: $112/single; $112/double; $122/triple; $132/quad

Housing also available at The Palmer House Hilton*, 17 E. Monroe St., Chicago, IL 60603. 312/726-7500
Rates: $112/single; $112/double; $122/triple; $132/quad

One (1) night's room and tax advance deposit by check or credit card must accompany each reservation. This deposit is fully refundable if cancellation is made before December 5, 2005. After December 5, 2005, there will be no refunds for canceled rooms. The Joint Conference Committee implemented this policy in 1999 due to the high rate of rooms canceled at the last minute.

Rooms are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.
The cut-off date for reservations is January 3, 2006. After this date, reservations may pay a higher hotel rate.

Suites: Individuals, agencies or exhibitors interested in reserving a suite must contact the IAPD first at 847/496-4449. Forty-eight hours after IAPD has given approval, you must contact the respective hotel directly.

*Complimentary shuttle service to and from the Palmer House Hilton and the Hilton Chicago will be available:
Thursday, Jan. 26 8:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 27         7:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 28 8:30 a.m. - 5:45 p.m.

20 Illinois Parks and Recreation www.ILipra.org


Parking

Delegates who are registered guests at the Hilton Chicago or the Palmer House Hilton will receive a discounted parking rate of 50% off the current price at the respective hotel. The discounted rate at the Chicago Hilton valet parking is $18.50 per day and self-parking is $16.00 per day both with no in/out privileges. Palmer House Hilton valet available at $17.50 per day and self-parking at $12.50 per day both with no in/out privileges. Once these are filled, delegates can park in any of the downtown garages at regular rares. All delegates are encouraged to take public transportation.

Policy on Children

To preserve the professional business environment and ensure a quality educational atmosphere at the IAPD/IPRA Conference, educational sessions, workshops, social events and the exhibit hall, no one under the age of 18 years will be allowed to participate in these functions or areas unless the person is a speaker or a registered full/ part-time student in a college or university and is attending the conference for the purpose of professional development and networking opportunities. Children are welcome to attend the Saturday evening event at the ESPN Zone.

Policy on Members & Nonmembers

The following persons will be allowed to register at the member rate:

• Members of the Illinois Park & Recreation Association

• Commissioners/park board members, attorneys, board treasurers and board secretaries of agencies that are members of the Illinois Association of Park Districts

• A maximum of six support staff from IAPD member agencies ("support staff" is defined as clerical and maintenance personnel only).

Requests from other persons or agencies asking for member rates will be presented to the Joint Conference Committee for approval prior to conference.

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SPECIAL THANKS TO ILLINOIS PARK DISTRICT LIQUID ASSET FUND + (IPDLAF+) AND THE PFM GROUP who sponsored the badge holders given to all delegates for their nametags.

Registration Information
Early Bird Registration

Complete the registration form and mail with a check before Friday, December 23, 2005 to:

Illinois Association of Park Districts
211 East Monroe Street
Springfield, IL, 62701

Or register online at www.Ilparks.org. Plus save on registration fees online. Registration online must be accompanied by credit card for payment.

Or register by fax to 217/523-4273. Registration by fax must be accompanied by credit card for payment.

MasterCard, Visa and Discover credit cards only accepted. No invoicing of individuals or agencies will be available.

Registration will not be accepted in the IAPD office after January 9, 2006. Registration will, however, be taken at the conference.

The Conference Registration Desk at the Chicago Hilton located in the Northeast Exhibit Hall, Lower Level will be open during the following hours:
•Thursday, January 26: 7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Friday, January 27: 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Saturday, January 28: 7:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Delegates who register in advance may pick up their special computerized badges at the conference registration area. Registration will open on Thursday, January 26, 2006 at 7:30 a.m.

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SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR HOST AGENCY SOUTH SUBURBAN PARK & RECREATION PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION for providing the volunteers to help make this conference such a great success. IAPD and IPRA couldn't have done it without you!

Silent Auction

The Illinois Park and Recreation Foundation, in conjunction with the IPRA College and University Relations Committee, once again will conduct the Silent Auction located in the Northeast Exhibit hall during the conference. Conference delegates will have the opportunity to bid on such items as weekend get-a-ways, tickets to sporting events and golf packages. The auction is an easy way to purchase valuable services and products for yourself and your agency. Proceeds from the auction will support student scholarships in Illinois.

www.ilparks.org September/October 2005 21


Special Diets

Persons with special dietary needs may make special arrangements by calling IAPD at 847/496-4449 no later than December 23, 2005.

Spouse/Guest Program & Registration

All spouses or guests must register in order to participate in the conference, visit the exhibit hall and attend special programs. Spouses/guests must have no affiliation or be employed by a park & recreation agency. Registration will include a name badge for admittance to exhibits, Thursday evening social, opening general session, educational sessions and CEU workshops scheduled on Friday and Saturday. Tickets for the food service for the Grand Opening of the Exhibit Hall, the All Conference Luncheon and Awards Show, the Saturday breakfast in the Exhibit Hall and the ESPN Zone will be available for purchase. See page 43 for registration.

Museums in the Park have generously donated passes to five of Chicago's most popular museums. Passes to The Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum, John G. Shedd Aquarium, The Field Museum of Natural History, The Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum of Science and Industry will be available at the registration desk for spouses and guests only. These passes are available at the conference registration desk located in the Northeast Exhibit hall on a first-come, first-served basis. A big thank you to Museums in the Park for providing an opportunity for our guests to enjoy these lakefront gems!

Student Events

•  Professional Connection
Thursday, January 26 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. See page 41 for details and registration.

• Student Luncheon on Friday, January 27 from 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

• Officers Meeting on Saturday, January 28 from 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Table Reservation System for Friday's All Conference Awards and Luncheon

Delegates who opt to reserve a table for the Friday All-Conference Awards Luncheon, must complete the table reservation section on the advance registration form on page 43. The table reservation fee is $40.00 and is nonrefundable. The person who is designated the table contact/coordinator will receive, as part of his/her registration confirmation, written instructions concerning the table registration process. Each contact/coordinator will be assigned a time to report to the registration booth adjacent to the conference headquarters in the Northeast Exhibit Hall. Appointments at the table reservation booth will be scheduled in order of receipt of the advance registration form. Register early to ensure the best possible table selection. All reserved tables will be tables of 10. You must have a full table.

What to Wear

Opening Exhibit Party: casual business attire
Thursday Social: comfortable, casual clothes
Friday Awards Luncheon: business attire
Saturday Evening Social: casual attire

Satisfaction Guarantee

The Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) and the Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) have instituted a satisfaction guaranteed policy for the Thursday pre-conferencc workshops. IAPD and IPRA make every effort to ensure quality programs for participants. However, if a participant is not fully satisfied with the content of the workshop, he or she may request and receive a 100% refund of the workshop fee. A participant who wishes to request a refund for a pre-conference workshop must do so no later than the end of the workshop in question. Forms will be available at the Conference information Center/Headquarters. Any accreditation or CEUs offered will be forfeited when a refund is made. Refunds will only be made payable to the originator of the check for the workshop registration. Look for the Satisfaction Guarantee symbols next to these workshops.

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22 Illinois Parks and Recreation www.ILipra.org

[Back to 2006 Conference Table of Contents]


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