Long Beach, CA - The 68th Annual Recreation and Park Training Conference and EXPO was held in Long Beach at the Long Beach Convention Center, March 8-11. It is the second largest Recreation and Park conference and EXPO in the nation and attracts attendees from six different states: California, Arizona, Alaska, Nevada, Utah and Hawaii.

SCMAF was once again an exhibitor for two days at the EXPO plus held an educational session titled “Make Youth Sports Life Better! which addressed situations and issues commonly faced by a youth sports program. It also identified some best practices that can be applied to youth sports program development. The session was presented by SCMAF Board Members Rich Carr (City of Santa Clarita), Jeff Van Sickle (City of Garden Grove) and SCMAF Program Coordinator Davie B. Gillus. The educational session was standing room only with over 85 CPRS registrants in attendance taking numerous notes to take back to their agencies and communities.   

SCMAF also hosted the “O” Entertainment presents The SCMAF Social at the CPRS Conference. It is one of the biggest events not officially sanctioned by CPRS. The purpose of the SCMAF Social is to give attendees a chance to relax and unwind after the second day of educational sessions, events and meetings. The social is also a great way to catch up with old friends and network in an entertaining manner. This year’s social was no different, as over 400 CPRS attendees, many of them SCMAF members, converged to the new Outlets at the Pike to enjoy the night. Music, refreshments, appetizers, raffles, games and a photo center were all part of the entertainment during the social. SCMAF President Dave Coleman (City of Victorville) was MC of the event as well as official greeter for all the attendees as they checked-in. Afterwards, the Auld Dubliner Pub hosted an after party for all of those in attendance that weren’t quite ready to call it a night and discuss and share information from attending the CPRS Conference.

SCMAF would like to thank all of our sponsors (Buell Recreation, Burke, Cal South Soccer, CPRS District 11, CPRS District 14, Goals Soccer Centres, Innovative Playgrounds Company, Musco Lighting, “O” Entertainment, SCMAF BASE, SCMAF Channel Cities, SCMAF Inland Empire, SCMAF Orange County, SCMAF San Gabriel Valley and SCORE Sports) and attendees to making this year’s social another unforgettable event. We hope to see you next year at The 35th Annual SCMAF Social at the CPRS Conference in Sacramento!

Click HERE for pictures from the photo center.