ORPS Keynote Speaker

Chris Nunes

Keynote:

Telling Your Story

The parks and recreation professional has relied on emotion to justify services and spending. “ Look what we do for the community”. “The children need a safe place to play”. “The trees need to be saved”. While these issues are important the message needs to be changed reflect what individuals in powers want and need to justify continued support of parks and recreation. Telling your story will help you make an more impactful justification for support of your programs and services.

Concurrent Session Topics:

Questions afraid to ask

Are you challenged with a question that you are afraid to ask your Board of Selectmen, Town Manager, or Director of Parks and Recreation? This session will be an open forum for attendees to ask questions on anything related to programming, facility management, park development, Board/Staff relationships and many other areas. Guidance and advice will be provided in the hopes of expanding the attendee’s knowledge and ability to serve their communities.

Embracing a Culture of Continuous Improvement

Increasingly, recreation and parks organizations are seeking to understand, develop and cultivate an organizational culture of constant improvement. Culture can be defined as an approach to service, management and leadership which effects how residents are appreciated or viewed. This session will address how to develop a culture, the pitfalls and benefits of embracing a culture of organizational improvement and how this culture can assist in creating new opportunities that will increase the effectiveness of delivering your services.

About Chris Nunes:

Chris Nunes, CPRE is the Chief Operating Officer for The Woodlands Township, in The Woodlands, Texas. In that position, a $50+ million operational budget and is accountable for the management of 151 parks, 14 swimming pools and aquatic facilities, 220 miles of pathways, and 200 miles of streetscape. He speaks around the country (over 500+ times) on topics including: business plans, contracting, creative programming, marketing, external funding, communication, leadership and succession planning. In 2012, Chris was elected as a fellow of the American Academy of Parks and Recreation Administrators and in 2015 he received the National Distinguished Professional Award from NRPA and in 2016-2017 he was the President of the American Academy of Parks and Recreation Administrators and in 2019 The Woodlands Township was recognized by NRPA by winning the Gold Medal Grand Plaque Award for excellence in parks and recreation management. Chris also serves on the GreenPlay Red National Operating Board. Chris holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation Management and a Master’s Degree in Sports Management from Springfield College in Massachusetts and a Doctorate in Parks and Recreation Administration from the University of New Mexico.

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