The 2003 National Symposium on
 Improving Visitor Services, Partnerships and Performance Management in Parks and Recreation
 Measures that Make a Difference, Partnerships that Produce Results!

February 10-11, 2003
 Sheraton Denver West
Denver, Colorado

 

● Design Measurement Systems that Promote Systemic Change
Devise methods of determining operational efficiency and the effectiveness of services

● Determine if Your Facility's Specific Goals and Objectives are Being Accomplished
 Learn how to balance competing recreational, environmental, historic preservation, and cultural resource demands

● Employ Powerful Benchmarks to Promote Successful Management
Empower employees by instituting a common vision and emphasize accountability for results

● Implement Performance Measures to Increase Resource Allocation
Incorporate the process of measuring, evaluating and reporting the results of performance measures to reallocate resources

 

Dear Park and Recreation Administrators and Managers,

 Federal, State and Local park authorities are turning to performance measurements and customer service standards to improve the effectiveness of their operations and quality of service to the public. It is essential that you create a set of performance-based long and short-term goals are used to direct your site’s daily proceedings and use of resources.  Ultimately this will create a strategic plan for your park system that is aligned with your site’s goal and mission which is vital for improvement and progress. 

The Performance Institute will be conducting a National Symposium on Improving Visitor Services, Partnerships and Performance Management in Parks and Recreation.  We invite you to attend this symposium to help you and your organization reach the performance management goals that are needed to provide quality park and recreational services.  This national symposium will be held in Denver, Colorado on February, 10-11, 2003.

Enhance Visitor Services and Build Volunteer Support and Satisfaction

Learning how to measure and evaluate the public’s satisfaction with park facilities, services, trails, scenic and natural areas, historical sites and cultural structures is the most efficient way to enhance visitor services.  The best way to learn these skills is through interactive best practice case studies; that demonstrate the methods used to organize your human and fiscal resources to meet your goals within definite time frames. 

Forge Innovative Partnerships to Strengthen Community, Business and Stakeholder Relationships

Strong partnerships are the key to increased efforts, activities, services, and products to produce positive outcomes. Learn how to set up appropriate goals that support your site and the surrounding economic and environmental community. We have prepared sessions that will help you identify the source and allocation methods needed to attain resources for these goals.  Each presentation has been designed to take your program from the development of site-specific strategies to implementation.

The strategies and best practices from the nation’s leading federal, state and local park and recreation systems are waiting for you to explore! As you acquire ways to implement performance-based management methods and establish program specific goals, you will be able to achieve your goals of learning how to measure, evaluate and report successful performance to reallocate resources and secure appropriate funding.  Register today by calling 703-894-0481 or visit us at www.PerformanceWeb.org.  I look forward to seeing you in February!

 Sincerely, 

 

Jason L. Cooley

Associate Director

Performance Institute 
   

 

Agenda:

Text Box: Day One:  February 10, 2003   7:30         Registration and Continental Breakfast   8:30         Keynote Address:  The Future of our Nations Parks in the 21st                 Century: Strategies for Enhancing Visitor Services and                          Forging    effective Partnerships for all Parks in all                  communities 9:15         Leadership Panel:  Innovative Strategies, Performance                 Measures and Partnerships for Parks and Recreation Programs                 at Federal, State and Local Levels   10:15       Break   10:30       A Framework for Devising and Implementing Performance                 Measures for Parks and Recreation   11:30       Measuring and Managing Visitor Carrying Capacity:  Case Management Strategies for High Impact Visitation Areas to Promote Long-Term Sustainable Use   12:30       Networking Luncheon:  Case Study: Innovative Strategies and Performance Measures for Key Recreation and Park Program   1:30         Measuring and Improving Services in Camping, Fishing, Hunting, Sporting and Other Traditional Recreational Activities   2:30         Measuring and Improving Performance in Education and Interpretive Programs   3:30         Break   3:45         Measuring and Improving Performance in Environmental and Ecological Activities   4:45         Adjourn  

Text Box: Day Two:   February 11, 2003   8:30         Managing for Results:  Best Practice Strategy and Leadership for Operating Park and Recreational Facilities   9:30         Performance-Based Contracting for Park Services:  Effective Partnerships and Vendor Management   10:30       Break   10:45       Forging Effective Partnerships with Communities, Business Groups, and Stakeholder Groups   11:45       Networking Luncheon   1:15         Recruiting and Managing Volunteers for Parks and Recreation Programs   2:30 Interactive Grant Writing Workshops   Workshop Session A:    A General Grant Writing Session for Parks and Recreation Programs that Focuses on Environmental Concerns in Competing for Scarce Funds.  Implement the Performance Measures and Innovative Methods in Compiling Data to Drive Resource Allocation Decisions   Workshop Session B:    Meeting Criteria and Writing Proposals for the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Program (UPARR)                 4:45         Adjourn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibiting and Sponsorship Information:
To learn more about exhibit and sponsorship opportunities at Performance Institute educational seminars and conferences, please call  Bret Johnson at 703-894-0481.

Hotel Information:
The 2003 National Symposium on Improving Visitor Services, Partnerships and Performance Management in Parks and Recreation will be held at the Sheraton Denver West in Denver, Colorado.  A limited number of rooms have been reserved at the hotel at a discounted rate of $94.00. Please contact the hotel at 303-987-2000 to make reservations. Be sure to ask for the Performance Institute conference rate.

Sheraton Denver West
360 Union Boulevard
Lakewood, CO 80228
Tel: 303-987-2000

Tuition:
The fee to attend the 2003 National Symposium on Improving Visitor Services, Partnerships and Performance Management in Parks and Recreation are:  $995 for the Conference and workshop, and $795 for the conference. 

Group Discounts:
 Contact Bret Johnson at the Performance Institute at 703-894-0481 for more information about group discounts.

Administrative Note:
A 10% cancellation fee on registration will be charges for cancellations received less than three weeks from the sate of the conference. As speakers are confirmed 6 months before the event, some speaker changes or topic changes may occur in the program. The Performance Institute is not responsible for speaker changes, but will work to ensure a comparable speaker is located to participate in the program.