2026 Massachusetts Recreation and Park Association Conference 

MassMutual Center • Springfield, MA • March 24th – 26th, 2026 
Inspiring Education • Professional Growth • Powerful Connections • Celebrating Community Impact
 
The 2026 Massachusetts Recreation & Park Association Conference will be held at the
MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA from March 24–26, 2026.
 
This annual event is more than a conference—it’s a celebration of our profession. Built on education, professional growth, and networking, the MRPA Conference connects park and recreation professionals with commercial partners to share innovative ideas, strengthen community impact, and highlight the remarkable work happening across Massachusetts.
 
Mark your calendars and get ready to join us for an inspiring and energizing experience—we can’t wait to see you there!
 
       

2026 MRPA Awards Nomination Information and Form - Deadline January 9th
Hotel Information: Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel, One Monarch Place, Springfield, MA 01144 
Click Here for the reservation link. Rooms are $149 a night. Deadline to book is February 23rd.
 
Basketball Hall of Fame: 1000 Hall of Fame Ave, Springfield MA 01105
Click Here for discounted tickets!


2026 Keynote & Directors Forum Presenter - Neelay Bhatt, Founder and CEO of Next Practice Partners

Neelay’s career on five continents includes Disney, The Super Bowl, The Olympics, and years of consulting, public speaking and training.
 
He champions “Ideas Worth Spreading” as the curator for the world’s first TED event for Sports: TEDSports in Indianapolis along with TEDxIndianapolis and TEDxIndianapolisWomen and his role on the National Recreation and Park Association’s Board served to ensure “no child was left indoors”. He continues to give back by serving in leadership roles for the 2024 NBA All-Star and US Olympic Swimming and Diving Trials and 2026 Men’s Final Four. 
 

As the Founder & CEO of Next Practice Partners, he combines inclusion and innovation to help agencies prepare for “what’s next” through planning, training, and technology solutions.

He is an alumnus of the Harvard Kennedy School and #1 ranked Sports Management Program at Ohio University and as a first-generation immigrant raised by three women and a father who always showed up, he hopes to model the same for his two kids.

These life experiences are woven into keynotes on Innovation and Next Practices, The Future of a world with AI, the Power of One, and creating Magical Customer Service Cultures, and inspired executives, professionals, startups, and students from Charlotte to China, Pflugerville to Portugal, and Switzerland to New Zealand.
 

2026 Annual State Conference Schedule at a Glance (subject to change) 

Tuesday, March 24th
Check-In:  1:00-3:30
* Directors Forum:  11:30-2:30 (lunch 11:30-12:15)
Session 1:  1:15-2:15
Session 2:  2:30-3:30
General Session:  3:45-5:00
Regional Meetings:  5:00-5:30
Welcome Reception:  5:30-6:30
New Professional Welcome Reception: 
5:30-6:30
Awards Dinner:  6:30-8:00
Social at White Lion Brewing Company:  8:30-11:30
Wednesday, March 25th
Check-In:  8:30-10:00
Session 3:  9:30-10:30
Session 4:  10:45-11:45
Regional Awards Lunch:  12:00-1:15
Session 5: 1:30-2:30
Session 6:  2:45-3:45
Exhibit Hall:  4:00-6:30
Dinner:  6:45-8:00
Social at MGM:  8:30-11:30
Thursday, March 26th
Check-In:  9:00-9:30
Session 7:  9:30-10:30
Session 8:  10:45-11:45
Annual Meeting Lunch:  12:00-1:30
  

* Directors Forum: Planning for the Future with Neelay Bhatt - $100 (space is limited)
A presentation and discussion sharing ideas and next practices ranging from changing demographics, evolving guest experiences, climate change, introduction of automation and AI, funding challenges, inflation and minimum wage increases, workplace structure shifts, and new user behaviors. This will include group discussions serving as a problem / solutions opportunity where participants co-create solutions and discuss ways to move the profession forward for the next 25 years.

 
2026 Delegate Registration Options Member Non-Member Retiree Member Student Member
Entire Conference (Tuesday Awards Dinner, Tuesday Social, Wednesday Awards Luncheon, Exhibit Hall, Wednesday Dinner, Wednesday Social and Thursday Annual Meeting Luncheon) $395 $475 $300 $225
Tuesday Only (Day Registration includes all events on that day only) $250 $325 $170 $125
Wednesday Only (Day Registration includes all events on that day only) $300 $350 $200 $150
Thursday Only (Day Registration includes all events on that day only) $250 $325 $175 $125
 
2026 Delegate Registration - Early-bird Deadline February 17th
2026 Exhibit Hall Information and Registration