Parks and Leisure Australia announces program for 2019 National Conference

Parks and Leisure Australia (PLA) has announced the program for its 2019 National Conference in Perth, with a line-up of more than 80 world-class speakers set to deliver two days of presentations plus a program of six technical tours.

Described as Australia’s “premier event” for parks, recreation, sport and wellness professionals, the conference, being held at Crown Perth, will officially open on Sunday 27th October by Western Australian Minister for Seniors and Ageing, Volunteering and Sport and Recreation Mick Murray.

Perth Network Ten presenter Narelda Jacobs will host the opening plenary on day on, with keynote speeches from Kia Dowell, Commissioner at WA Tourism and Executive Director, Indigenous Business Australia and Erion Veliaj, the Mayor of the Albanian capital of Tirana, who has gained worldwide acclaim for transforming his city.

Jack Kardys, Chairman of the USA’s National Parks and Recreation Association, and recently retired as the Director of the nationally accredited and Gold Medal Award winning Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation & Open Spaces Department (MDPROS), one of the largest and most diverse park systems in the United States together with Australian Katie Sarah - Mountaineer, Pioneer & Volunteer will headline the second day of PLA2019.

Parks and Leisure Australia Chief Executive, Mark Band stated “PLA2019 will set the stage for a national discussion on the importance of linking parks, open spaces and facilities to our health, well-being and sporting performance and will address the fundamental need for good policy, planning and provision of parks, open spaces and facilities.

“The calibre of this year’s speakers and exhibitors is outstanding and cements the national Parks and Leisure Australia Conference and Exhibition as a premier event and meeting point of Australia’s parks, leisure, health and sporting industry thought leaders and industry innovators.”

“With so many sector leaders under one roof, this event will highlight the ways in which our sector is linking parks, open spaces and facilities to our health, well-being and sporting performance and will address the fundamental need for good policy, planning and provision of parks, open spaces and facilities.”

The conference program will cover the latest Australian and international trends and future directions and will culminate in the prestigious Parks and Leisure Australia Awards of Excellence.

The Conference is being held from 27th to 30th October at the Crown Perth, Burswood.

Click here for more information on the PLA 2019 Conference in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.

Images: Crown Perth (above) and Mark Band (below).