One of the hallmark aspects of the Community Rec Leadership Summit year after year are our roundtable education sessions. The 2027 Community Rec Leadership Summit at the Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage, California, will be no different.
Moderated by Jorge Perez, the CEO and president of the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati, these conversations feature the top leaders in the industry discussing the most prevalent topics facing nonprofit recreation centers. The insights gained during these discussions not only provide tangible solutions for teams, but also create connections between leaders that will last a lifetime.
Below, discover the roundtable topics that will be featured at the 2027 Community Rec Leadership Summit.
Remaining Relevant vs. For-Profit Clubs
As boutique fitness studios, luxury wellness clubs and private operators continue expanding into the recreation space, nonprofit recreation centers are being challenged to redefine their value.
Fitness demand is at an all-time high as 81 million Americans belonged to a fitness facility in 2025. Relevance isn’t a demand problem — it’s a differentiation problem. The market is splitting with $15-per-month budget clubs on one end and luxury clubs on the other. The middle survives only by offering what neither can.
Community recreation has specialized trenches that for-profits can’t replicate — pools, childcare, multigenerational programming, financial assistance, community trust and more.
This discussion will explore how leaders can compete by using those trenches without losing sight of their mission, culture and community impact. Attendees will share strategies for differentiation, member experience, programming innovation and communicating value in a crowded market.
Engaging Youth Today
Today’s youth are growing up in a completely different environment than previous generations — shaped by technology, shifting social dynamics and changing expectations around wellness and connection.
The stats tell the story: four in 10 teens report persistent sadness or hopelessness, and girls carry the heaviest load. Meanwhile, boys are quietly drifting, making up just 42% of bachelor’s degrees and fewer male mentors.
In this discussion, attendees will exchange ideas for creating programs, spaces and experiences that genuinely resonate and make a difference with younger audiences. From sports and recreation trends to social engagement and mental wellness, leaders will discuss what’s working, what’s not and where opportunities exist to better serve the next generation.
Creative Revenue Streams Outside of Membership
Membership revenue alone is no longer enough for many community rec organizations looking to grow sustainably and expand impact. Centers are now looking to decouple revenue from square footage — income from impact delivered, not space occupied.
Healthcare remains an untapped door, while digital memberships, program subscriptions, and community-based delivery extend reach without extending the roofline.
This roundtable will focus on innovative ways leaders are diversifying revenue through programming, partnerships, events, sponsorships, rentals, wellness offerings and other nontraditional streams. Attendees will share real-world examples of ideas that generated meaningful revenue while still aligning with organizational mission and community needs.
Leading Through Uncertainty
From economic pressures and staffing challenges to evolving community expectations, uncertainty has become a constant reality for nonprofit recreation leaders.
Leaders find their selves in a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous. The answer to each is a discipline — vision, understanding, clarity and agility.
This discussion will center on how attendees can lead confidently through change while maintaining strong culture, clear communication and long-term vision.
This session will provide reassurance and practical leadership strategies for an increasingly unpredictable environment. Also, leaders will find common ground at their table and know they aren’t alone in facing challenges.
Spots are now filling up as registration for the 2027 Community Rec Leadership Summit is now open! Email john@peakemedia.com to learn more about attending. Interested in sponsoring? Email rico@peakemedia.com. For the full Community Rec Leadership Summit itinerary and details, visit peakemediaevents.com/cosummit.
Thank you to our current 2027 sponsors for making next year’s event possible, including Premier sponsor Arly; Diamond sponsors ACTIVE Network, Daxko, InBody, Keiser, NinjaZone, seca and Traction Rec; Platinum Plus sponsors Amilia, CourtReserve, Matrix Fitness, NuStep, TMI Sustainable Aquatics and SportsArt; Platinum sponsors Brown & Brown, DynaDome, Human Touch, Power Plate and WellHub.
