Director's Meeting ASSPD

WHAT

Registration Closed

Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites are holding a meeting for Directors only in 2020. The ASSPD conference has been moved to 2021.

Registration

WHERE

Lodging Info

Amicalola Falls State Park Lodge
418 Amicalola Falls Road, Dawsonville, GA 30534

Lodging Info

WHEN

October 28th, 1pm - October 29th, 11:30am

WHO

The 2020 Directors-Only Meeting should be attended by the Director or their designee from the states that are a part of the Association of Southeaster State Parks Directors.

PARTNER

Become a Partner

Although the 2020 meeting is for Directors only, partners can still showcase their business or organization brand with State Park Directors. Please contact Tom Linley at 850-510-7818 or partnership@asspd.org for more information.

Partner Levels:

$500 – Partner

Business name listed on Partner Proclamation

$1,000 – Plus Partner

Business name listed on Partner Proclamation
1-page promotional flyer to all Directors (provided by the Partner)

$2,500 – Premier Partner

Business name listed on Partner Proclamation
Multi-page promotional materials to all Directors (provided by the Partner)
Partner promotional items (pens, travel mugs, backpacks, etc.) to all Directors

Become a Partner

2020 DIRECTOR'S MEETING AGENDA

Tuesday 27th

Early Arrivals (Optional): Early Arrivals (Optional)

Reservations have been made for all early arrival requests as noted on the conference registration responses. Please ensure you have registered or contact Angie.Johnson@dnr.ga.gov about any changes to your travel plans. Be sure to bring your fishing rod to fish for trout in the pool below the waterfall, and click here if you need to buy a fishing license.

Wednesday 28th

11:30AM-12:30PM - Meeting Registration

Welcome Table Open

Please check in at the ASSPD Welcome Table in the Lower Lobby of the Lodge.

12:00PM - Lunch in the Chestnut Oak Conference Room

Welcome, Introductions, and Operating Parks during 2020-2021

Meet in the Red Oak Hall Conference Room.

Director Cown welcomes ASSPD to Georgia, followed by introductions of all attendees. Each state provides a 10-minute general update on overall status of their park system including: new acquisitions, budgets, SOP’s or best practices developed during COVID-19, as well as short and long range goals.

3:15PM - Break

Break

15-minute break with refreshments.

3:30PM - Sponsor Update via Zoom with Brandt Information Services

Brandt Information Services - Matt Mitchell

We provide Parks, Fish & Wildlife agencies creative software solutions and marketing strategies to increase outdoors participation and revenue streams alongside our expert consulting services. www.brandtinfor.com

3:40PM - Session: Keeping the Momentum and Lessons Learned During COVID-19

Session: Keeping the Momentum - Lessons Learned During COVID-19

Brainstorming Session: Discuss and brainstorm issues experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic that impacted parks, with a specific focus on retaining the positive changes for the future. (Any topics not covered on Wednesday will be continued on Thursday at 11:20.)

Attracting Diversity in Parks and Employees
- Many new visitors have “discovered” parks during COVI-19 which has expanded diversity (age, race, demographics) in our users. How can we keep these new audiences as repeat visitors and gain their future support?
- Share initiatives and ideas for expanding employee diversity.
Managing Crowds (General Discussion)
- Carrying Capacity
- Enforcing Social Distancing
Succesful Leadership Through Crisis (AR)
Emergency Event Recovery (AL)
Reservation Systems (KY/MD/GA)
- Handling in-house vs. using vendor
- Use to manage increasing visitation
- Use to sell entrance/park passes
- Use for contactless check in for cottages and camping, pay in full in advance, etc.
Senior Discounts(GA)
- What is each state offering and are any considering changing?

4:40PM - Sponsor Update via Zoom with F4Tech

F4Tech - Mark Milligan

F4 Tech helps clients identify and quantify natural resources using high-quality data and science. Our innovative solutions empower success in developing, refining, and implementing unique and specific long-term resource management plans.

4:50PM - Break and End of Sessions for Day 1

Break

Wrap-up Sessions, break time and change clothes if needed for the guided hike.

5:30PM - Guided Hike

Guided Hike

Meet outside the lodge entrance for a guided hike down to the Amicalola Falls Overlook. A shuttle will be provided back up to the Lodge. Don’t forget to pack your hiking boots!

6:30PM - Social & Dinner in the Chestnut Oak Conference Room

Social & Dinner

Social time begins at 6:30 PM. Dinner is served at 7:00 PM

8:00PM - Hospitality

Hospitality

Enjoy comradery with colleagues on the veranda while sitting by the fire, playing cornhole, or playing your guitar (don’t forget to pack it).

Thursday 29th

8:00AM - Breakfast

Breakfast

In the Maple Restaurant.

8:45AM - Group Photo on the Veranda

ASSPD Director Photo

We will take a group photo on the veranda. Please bring your face mask.

9:00AM - Welcome, GA Director Jeff Cown

Welcome Back

Meet in the Oak Hall Conference Room

9:05AM - Sponsor Update via Zoom with ASPIRA

ASPIRA - Bez Sharkey

One platform, a world of connected experiences. Centralize agency intelligence. Streamline field operations. Transform consumer experiences. Partnership with us comes with more than a standard park and recreation reservation software — it comes with service and support at every level. www.aspiraconnect.com

9:15AM - Session: ASSPD (Directors Only) Business Meeting

ASSPD (Directors Only) Business Meeting

ASSPD Partner Proclamation will be reviewed by Angie Johnson followed by the Director’s Only meeting that will be facilitated by Alabama Director Greg Lein, Vice President of ASSPD.

10:10AM - Break

Break

10-minute break

10:20AM - Sponsor Update via Zoom with Ariens

Ariens - Tyler Walimaa

AriensCo is a recognized leader in the outdoor power equipment industry known for its superior quality products that stand the test of time. www.ariensco.com

10:30AM - Session: NASPD Update, Lewis Ledford

NASPD Update - Lewis Ledford

NASPD Executive Director Lewis Ledford will offer insights from the State Parks across the country.

NASPD Discussion and Updates Include:

Great American Outdoor Act/Land and Water Fund — stateside equity legislative advocacy moving forward
COVID Impacts and Updates on America’s State Parks
NASPD Virtual Conference; Annual Awards
First Day Hikes 2021
New America’s State Parks Website/SurveyMonday/BaseCamp options
NASPD Clemson webinars
NASPD Health and Nature Program Partnership Toolkit
And more ...

11:15AM - Sponsor Update via Zoom with US eDirect

US eDirect - Bill Bryan

US eDirect has the technology solutions to enable a step-change to your service delivery. Recreation Dynamics is an easy to use and comprehensive technology solution that provides for all park visitor services.

11:25AM - Session: Keeping the Momentum and Lessons Learned During COVID-19 Continued