IPRA Core Education Offerings
Each year, IPRA co-hosts the Soaring to New Heights annual conference with the Illinois Association of Park Districts. It features over 150 educational sessions and workshops, and an exhibit hall where more than 300 exhibitors showcase their latest and greatest products and services.
The suggested calendar education curriculum track begins with the one-day Supervisor Symposium, programmed with topics for managers and supervisors newer to the field. The next offering, Professional Development School, is the longest standing educational and networking school offered by IPRA. Graduation from Professional Development School consists of the completion of a two-year curriculum; each year is a two and a half day intensified education curriculum, in a small student-focused networking atmosphere. The next opportunity is the application required Leadership Academy. LA provides an intensive six-month program that benefits all levels of experience for park and recreational professionals. Each level will focus on building great leaders through innovative and strategic sessions and speakers.
Additional continuing education includes the Skills Development Webinar Series; the iLearn group research and presentation program; subject focused one-day workshops and various certification programs.