On Thursday, May 13, 2010, the 8th Annual Park Summit was held at the picturesque Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Gardens. This year’s summit theme was “Surviving and Thriving in Difficult Times – Efficiencies and Collaboration”. Representatives from the various local, state, federal and non-profit agencies participated.
Keynote Speaker – Jack Kyser, Founding Economist, Kyser Center for Economic Research
Motivational Speaker – Antoine Fisher, Writer “The Antoine Fisher Story,” Filmmaker, Film Producer, Inspirational/Motivational Speaker and Park Volunteer.
Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, 301 N. Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia, CA 91007
Keynote Speaker – Jack Kyser, discussed the economic outlook of Los Angeles County and the state of California with emphasis on trade and industry recoveries from home and auto sales, the deep recession and job market revitalization and losses. Kyser also spoke frankly about the influence of energy prices, stock fluctuations and the financial responsibility of consumers. Risks for the California economy will be in private, education, health services, construction and aerospace industries. There will be possible growth in information services, the entertainment industry and expansions and upgrades on Southern California freeways and airports. The overall economy is facing a slow but steady recovery thru 2011, per economists.
Motivational Speaker – Antoine Fisher spoke warmly about his life experiences with parks and recreation and how his inspirational life story was greatly influenced by his first experience visiting a Los Angeles County park. He stated that his memories of older teens helping him when he fell from his bike while riding through the park, seeing friendly law enforcement and park staff who always provided a safe and fun environment reassured him that his success was due to people. He also said challenges never end and that parks are really important and provides great recreation for the entire family to enjoy!
Director’s Roundtable: During the Director’s Roundtable participants from the various park organizations and municipalities all agreed to focus on one common theme, “Work Together and Share Resources,” to help create, distribute and maintain resources available to the community. There were numerous topics discussed by various park agencies for 2010 that included image branding and perception, targeting specific outreach programs and facilities and utilizing all forms of networking to develop new and better relationships with other park and recreation agencies for more progressive promotion to the community.
Speaker Updates were provided by:
Russ Guiney, Director, County of Los Angeles, Department of Parks and Recreation
Jodi Rudnick, California Parks and Recreation Society, the Advisor’s Marketing Group
Doug Houston, Legislative Consultant, the Houston Group
Ilona Volkmann, County of Los Angeles Regional Park and Open Space District
Break-out Sessions included:
Get on Board, “Parks Make Life Better”: The CPRS Brand Initiative
Digital Media / Social Networking: Exploring the Possibilities
Your Agency and Athletic Field Users Groups: Ensuring Compliance, Accountability and Efficiency.
