On the road again; well, more like in the air again!

It's been a while since I've been on any sort of road trip, but now that summer is rapidly coming to a close, I have a few trips on the way that should be fun. In early October, I'm off to Scottsdale AZ for a CPO Instructor School and the World Aquatic Health Conference. In early December, it'll be Kansas City for another CPO Instructor School. Both of those are going to be actual 'road' trips, as I'll be driving to each of them.
But up first, starting tomorrow, will be a trip to the entertainment capital of the desert, beautiful (?) Las Vegas. Unfortunately, due to time restrictions, I am flying to this one. And yes, for those who know me, I'm already annoyed at that fact, and dreading the entire air travel experience.

Okay, 'Fabulous' Las Vegas, as the iconic sign says. It's time for the annual National Recreation and Park Association Congress for Parks. Since it's the 50th anniversary of the foundation of NRPA, I guess they decided to really glitz it up for us. Of course, for many Park and Recreation Professionals, telling their bosses that the annual conference is in Las Vegas made for a quick 'no way you're going there!' attitude.
And, you know, I get it. Vegas certainly has the reputation for being a place where you go to goof off, not to get serious education and information about your profession. On top of that, an awful lot of administrators look at our various Recreation Conferences with a skeptical attitude. After all, what is so hard about operating a Park? What is it that you need to learn? What kind of crap sessions could they possibly be presenting?
On and on it goes, year after year, as we try to persuade our superiors that there is real value to be had from attending these conferences. And to their credit, NRPA does a great job of identifying the benefits that attendees get from the various seminars and sessions which are presented each year. If one looks at the published schedule of seminars for this year, they will find subjects that range from the simple to the very complex, with presenters who are experts in their areas. Of course, there is the occasional oddball session, such as the one I am presenting, called "How To Survive In A Toxic Workplace". I presented this one at the last LILSA/Saint Joseph's Conference, and it was very well received, so I figured I'd inflict it on a large group of people that I don't know. Should be fun! 
So many of us are looking forward to this conference as a way to increase our operating knowledge, expand our network of contacts, and yes, celebrate the 50th anniversary of NRPA.

Many of us from New York will be staying at this place, the Excalibur. Lisa Morahan, Executive Director of the state's Recreation and Park Society, got us an amazing deal at this spot. I know the Excalibur from a visit many years ago when we were on a family vacation to the Grand Canyon and Los Angeles, and we stopped over in Vegas for a couple of days. It's right on the strip, and just a couple of tram stops away from the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, where the NRPA show is going to be. I'm sure that for the three days of the Conference, I'll find a few good spots to report back on, as I will have to find places for lunch and dinner. All of us from NY are getting together on Tuesday night for a welcome social at, of course, New York, NY. I'll try to get a few photos at that gathering and post them later this week.
On Friday, Karen is flying out to meet me, and we'll have the weekend to poke around and relax a bit. We aren't staying at the Excalibur, we will be at a lovely place that's sort of off the strip called the Alexis Park Resort.

We've stayed here before, when we were in Vegas for a CPO Instructor School, and it's a lovely place. It's right across the street from the Hard Rock Casino and Hotel, so we'll be able to wander around there and take advantage of what they offer. And I'm sure we'll be doing some sightseeing, perhaps taking a ride over to the "World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop", which is seen on the tv show "Pawn Stars". Might get over to 'old' Vegas and see Freemont Street and the rest of the remaining heritage casinos and restaurants. Might even stop in to Binion's, one of the oldest and still best food value spots in Vegas.
So keep your eyes peeled for new posts here in the coming weeks. Should be a few fun trips, and hopefully some good, fun road trip news!