MRPA IS IN THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING A NEW WEBSITE. OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS WE WILL BE TRANSFERRING ALL DATA FROM THIS WEBSITE TO OUR NEW HOME. PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE AT:     WWW.MASSRPA.ORG

Are you looking for field trip ideas for the April School Vacation week, then consider bringing them to the 2^nd Annual MRPA Entertainment showcase in Melrose, MA on April 24^th.  There will be over 24 performers showing their stuff hoping that you’ll book them for a show, camp, or program.  We need your kids to be the audience.  So don’t delay, register your group today by clicking on the link below: http://www.massrecandpark.org/showcasegroup.pdf

Performer's - The Massachusetts Recreation and Park Association (MRPA) is pleased to announce the return of the Entertainment Showcase on Thursday, April 24, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The showcase will be held at Memorial Hall in Melrose, MA. We choose this site because it provides easy access to an audience of presenters/buyers from Massachusetts, while also being convenient for performers from throughout New England. This is an excellent opportunity for YOU to be included in a gathering of top-notch New England talent and to highlight your talents to prospective entertainment buyers/presenters. Our showcase is organized around one stage with two separate performance areas. While one performer is showcasing, the next performer is setting up. Each performer will have an exhibit table. There will be 24 ten-minute live performances featured throughout the day! The Showcase provides attendance incentives by giving away door prizes throughout the day. To encourage people to stay for the entire showcase, after the last performance, MRPA sponsors a number of $100 gift certificates good toward the booking of a show given by any performer listed in the program directory. For extra visibility, your logo or an ad may also be purchased for the showcase Program. If you are a vendor and wish to perform at this year's showcase, download the registration form found here.

Session proposals are now being accepted for the 2008 MRPA Annual State Conference, which will be held on October 27th and 28th in Westport, Mass. Click here to download the session proposal form. Session proposals should be sent to: MRPA, PO Box 783, Westfield, MA 01086. For questions, email conference co-chairs Renee Tavares or Jennifer Davis.

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) has announced that Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., one of the nation's foremost activists on environmental issues, will address the Opening General Session of its 2008 Congress and Exposition, to be held October 14-18 at the Baltimore Convention Center. Nearly 10,000 park and recreation leaders, advocates and suppliers are expected to participate in the event. Registration for the 2008 NRPA Congress will open May 1, 2008. For more information, please call 1-800-626-NRPA (6772). 

The Pioneer Valley Park & Recreation Association will be hosting a 1 day workshop on "Master Planning for Cities, Towns & Parks" on Thursday, April 10th in Longmeadow, Mass. This session will explore local regional parks (Forest Park, Springfield & Look Memorial Park, Florence) with improvement projects over a period of thirty years, which are aimed at achieving self sustaining parks. The session will also include the creation of Master Plans for Cities and towns who are interested in upgrading facilities and adding athletic areas, coordination with other Departments and citizens, and a phased budget. John has been involved with creating the Master Plan for the Town of Avon, CT, as well as Forest Park and Look Park. Bring your specific questions to ask John, who has been involved with developing master plans for almost thirty years. For complete details and to download the registration form go to: http://www.massrecandpark.org/masterplanworkshop.pdf

Registration is now available for the Alternate Funding Development Program, which will be held May 15th & 16th at the Hartford Airport Marriot in Windsor, CT. The Alternative Funding Development Program (ADFP) is a leadership training seminar that provides professional development opportunities for park and recreation professionals. The school is a comprehensive and unique professional development program focusing on revenue management and development techniques. Participants will learn the latest industry trends from seasoned professionals and take advantage of networking opportunities with peers. For complete conference details, go to: http://www.nrpa.org/content/default.aspx?documentId=1732

Registration is now open for the 10^th anniversary of STAR.  This one-day event is open to all Commonwealth employees and is free.  STAR is presented each year by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Operational Services Division (OSD), and offers statewide contractors the opportunity to market to current and potential customers. Attendees continue to rely on STAR for meeting their current vendors as well as making connections with potential and existing vendors.  The highlight of STAR remains its free informational Education Workshops. Be part of STAR 2008.  Mark your calendar for this exceptional exposition at the Bayside Exposition Center in Boston on May 6, 2008 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.  Arrive early, have breakfast, listen to music and attend workshops.  Have lunch and participate in vendor sponsored door prizes.  Learn more about STAR and register online at www.mass.gov/star.