The Community Rec Leadership Summit is just a couple of days away, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to help lead this year’s event. As editor and a first-time attendee, it’s easy to understand my excitement. But nevertheless, here are five reasons why I’m eager for this one-of-a-kind industry gathering.
1. Meaningful Roundtables
Perhaps the most important aspect of the Summit are our roundtable discussions for our attendees. These conversations allow for the top leaders in the industry to share their strategies and tips with each other. Specifically, this year’s five topics are: Community Engagement, Innovative Spaces, Leadership Development, Staffing Solutions and The Future is Youth.
Staffing issues and youth programming initiatives are two subjects in particular that are top of mind for community rec centers right now. The Summit provides a unique chance for attendees to share their solutions to industry problems and beneficial plans for specific groups within their home locations.
Community rec professionals are uniquely collaborative and supportive of each other, as they all have one common goal — to improve their communities. The roundtable conversations are a can’t-miss showcase of this positive teamwork.
2. The BBQ Sauce Competition
One of the patented aspects of the Leadership Summit is our introductory group activity on the first night, and this year’s icebreaker might be what I’m looking forward to the most as a self-proclaimed lover of all BBQ.
The BBQ Sauce Competition will have attendees battling it out to see who can make the best overall sauce. With Texas being known as one of the top locations for BBQ in the U.S., I can’t think of a more perfect way for everyone to first get acquainted with other.
You wouldn’t believe the kind of connections people make through fun activities like this. It’s the perfect opportunity to establish new friendships and deepen established relationships further.
3. Our Moderator Jon Kidwell
The Leadership Summit wouldn’t be the highly regarded event it is today without a great moderator, and Jon Kidwell, the founder and leader of the Kidwell Team, promises to hold true to that promise.
For over 20 years, Kidwell has served in leadership roles as an employee or board member in private companies and nonprofits — large and small — ranging from a local focus to a global impact.
Before launching a leadership development company, he served as vice president of innovation and operations for a large, multi-million-dollar global nonprofit in Houston, Texas, collaborating with companies such as Apple, Nike, Pfizer, MD Anderson Cancer Center, the University of Houston and the YMCA of the USA.
His skillset is perfect for the intention of this event, which is to help the top voices in the industry continue having success within their communities.
4. The Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa
While the content of the Leadership Summit is the main attraction, we simply couldn’t have a such a successful event without providing an elite destination for our attendees.
The four-star Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa is a prestigious resort with beautiful scenery and impressive amenities, ensuring all participants have a relaxing stay. The resort is newly renovated with exceptional features including a water park, golf club, comfortable charm and rich history of authentic Texas hospitality.
Of course, the beautiful weather native to San Antonio, Texas, only enhances the resort’s setting. It’s a goal to provide a ‘wow’ factor for our guests, and the Hyatt Regency surpasses this bar.
5. Networking with the Industry
As I said before, community recreation is a collaborative industry. But there’s just something about meeting and conversing in person you can’t get through emails or over Zoom.
Sure, this might be cheating for the final reason, but combining all the positive aspects of the Summit — the roundtables, fun activities, a great moderator, amazing setting, etc. — creates the top gathering for any community rec professional to connect with like-minded leaders.
There’s power in knowing you aren’t alone, and it can be lonely being the head of any organization. Luckily, the Summit will continue to provide a uniting, hopeful environment for industry leaders for years to come.
