The Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals National Outdoor Recreation Conference 2014 will be held in San Francisco, May 13-16. The theme of this year’s conference is “Thriving in a new economic reality.”

A sampling of events:

Plenary Sessions
•How Research Can Help Park and Outdoor Recreation Professionals Thrive in the New Economic Reality from Robert Manning, Steven Rubenstein Professor of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Vermont
•National Outdoor Recreation Outlook Forum - A panel of experts will provide a provocative glimpse into the future
Concurrent Sessions
•Innovative Technology for Bringing Parks to People from Larry Orman, Executive Director of the GreenInfo Network
•The power of outdoor recreation experiences to veterans, soldiers and Army families from John O'Sullivan, Manager of the Army’s Outdoor Recreation Program
•Tying Dollars and Cents to the Intrinsic Value of Parks from Jaime English, Senior Planner at Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
•Practical Strategies for Recalibrating Parks and Recreation Services from Becky Kelley, Director of Georgia State Parks
•Innovative OHV Recreation Solutions in California by California State Parks Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division Staff
•Creating Lasting Culture Change through Economic Development Initiatives and Recreation on the Lower Mississippi River from Diana Threadgill, President and Executive Director of the Mississippi River Corridor – Tennessee
Field Workshop
•The Presidio Trust: a Different Kind of Model
There will be four educational stops on the field workshop day that explore the complexities of an urban National Recreation Area cooperatively managed by the National Park Service and the Presidio Trust. Craig Middleton, Executive Director of the Presidio Trust, will be the luncheon speaker and provide a behind the scenes look at the financing of the trust.
Pre-conference Training
•Tread Trainer Overview
•Accessibility Summit for Outdoor Developed Areas
•SCORP University