Innovation Takes Center Stage: NRPA Conference 2019

Splash pads, swing sets, and slides oh my! The National Recreation and Park Association Conference this year was highlighted by the culmination of new interactive displays, software, services, and yes even robots! Here are some of my favorite happenings from the event.

First Impressions

Upon first entering the conference floor of the Baltimore Convention Center, I was immediately stunned by the sheer size and scope of some of these displays. As I walked the floor and got a general sense of the companies and products that were being displayed this year, there seemed to be a consistent theme. Natural impact. I was able to speak with Andris Zobs COO of ID Sculpture, who mentioned that this year the main focus was pointing towards these play structures seamlessly blending into the natural environment.

One of the displays that really highlighted this concept was the Burke Nucleus Evolution structure. I got a chance to speak with Sarah Lisiecki about their use of biophilia when constructing their structures. She mentioned that they are organically attempting to bring the feeling of nature back into the play environment. However, hands down, the most interactive exhibit award has to go to the team at Landscape Structures. I was able to relive my childhood when climbing up their new structure and zipping to the bottom on the slide! Another great life sized display was over at the Berliner booth, showcasing their new Quadrifol structures, a rope play environment design hailing from their German headquarters.

 

Beyond Playgrounds

Parks aren’t just about playgrounds though. I found numerous products being displayed specifically for the athlete in mind. Like the innovative field marking robots at Turf Tank, and the outdoor active solutions brought to you by GreenFields Outdoor Fitness. I was even able to test out my soccer skills at the Musco Mini Pitch display put on with the US Soccer Foundation. Their LED lighting solutions help significantly reduce the glare athletes might traditionally encounter during nighttime games. While other solutions, like those coming from HyLite, have specific energy and cost saving benefits by giving off more lumens, through less watts.

I had the pleasure of speaking with a few companies that were seasoned veterans when it came to this event. One being the team over at Dog Wash Systems USA, who have been helping dog parks stay revenue neutral with their systems, since 2009! Along with the gentlemen at the ProMinent, who walked me through their UV water pumps that help keep water play environments, contaminant free.

#FinalThoughts

There were also a few Mavericks of Marketing that stood out to me. One group was the team over at Amilia, bringing ease back into membership management with their software solutions. Another being the fun VR demo over at the Cre8Play booth! As well as the PartyMachines guru Greg Gordon, who really showed all the attendees what it meant to make the show a memorable experience.

All in all, after everything that I saw, and all the wonderful people I was able to talk with. I would easily say that parks and recreational environments are not so much more than areas just to play or stay active. They are environments uniquely designed for everyone in mind, through the use of innovative products, and software solutions alike. NRPA Conference 2019 definitely didn’t run with the herd.

 

 

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

data center design
Applied Digital’s Data Center Design for a 100 MW AI Factory Built from the Ground Up
July 2, 2025

AI workloads are redefining the limits of data center design and infrastructure. Legacy data centers, built for traditional co-location, cannot handle the density, thermal demands, or power dynamics of accelerated computing. The AI boom has upended the data center sector, forcing a rapid shift to liquid-cooled racks as facilities pivot from sub-10kW racks to…

Read More
Commerce media
A Look at the Rise of Commerce Media Networks: How Nift Helps Brands Own How Their Message Shows Up
July 2, 2025

As traditional digital advertising struggles to retain consumer trust, brands are exploring new, more authentic ways to connect with shoppers. Platforms like commerce media networks, which weave together commerce, content, and data, are emerging as powerful tools in this shift. Research from MG2 Advisory reveals that only about 37% of consumers feel brands genuinely…

Read More
Hospitality leadership
Heart-First Hospitality Leadership: How Saying ‘Yes’ Transforms Guest Experiences, Boosts Staff Morale, and Drives Business Results
July 2, 2025

As the hospitality industry emerges from years of pandemic-driven upheaval, hospitality leadership is evolving to meet new challenges. Leaders are looking for new ways to retain staff, elevate guest satisfaction, and drive revenue without burning out their teams. One trend gaining traction is the power of “Yes”: empowering employees to say yes more often,…

Read More
civic leadership
Mayor Gerard Hudspeth’s Civic Leadership Journey: What Politics Teaches About People
July 2, 2025

What does a mayor learn about human nature? In this episode of Professional Quotient: Conversations that Build Equity, host Jason Winningham sits down with Gerard Hudspeth, longtime mayor of Denton, Texas, and a respected figure in civic leadership. Drawing from his years in public service, Hudspeth explores how leading a city reveals the core…

Read More