MTRPA Annual Conference
March 30th - April 2nd, 2026
Holiday Inn Downtown Missoula
Hosted by Missoula Parks & Recreation
Missoula County Lands, Culture, and Recreation
University Of Montana Parks Tourism Recreation Management and Institute for Tourism Recreation Research
Check back Dec 1st for Early Bird Conference Registration, 2025 Award Nominations, and Scholarship Applications!
Celebrate the Treasure State with MTRPA!
The 2026 conference theme “Celebrate the Treasure State” will feature sessions that expand on the changes and adaptability in the state of Montana related to that theme. Presenter applications open now through January 15th!
Attend MTRPA Annual Conference for thought provoking speakers with professional, cutting edge, interactive education sessions, and presentations that provide proven information and methods to successfully manage and maintain parks, trails, recreation programs, aquatics, community engagement, urban forests, conservation lands, open spaces, and natural areas with four unique session tracks:
Session Tracks
1. Programs and Community
a. Recreation/Aquatics
b. Customer Experience / Software / Surveys / Data Management
c. Health and Wellness – Social Impacts
d. Community Engagement
2. Parks, facilities, Opens Space, and Urban Forestry management
a. Turf management
b. Trees & Urban Forest
c. Conservation Lands
d. Asset management
e. Environmental resilience and deferred maintenance
3. Leadership Development
a. Admin/Customer Service/Policy
b. Funding finance and Grants
c. Technology and innovation
d. Professional development programs
e. Funding, Planning, Legislation, Friends, Grants, Partnerships, Policy, Boards
Climate Strategies in P&R, Equity/Access
4. Advocacy, Policy and Planning
a. Recreation initiatives
b. Active transportation
c. Development Review
d. Social/public health/environmental policy
e. Parks & Trails/City/Towns/Resiliency Thru Parks & Open Space
See our 2026 DRAFT Schedule.
Check out last year’s 2025 Conference Agenda for an example of the full conference experience.
Want to speak at our conference? Apply Now!
Reserve Conference Lodging Today
Conference lodging is already available to book at the Holiday Inn Downtown Missoula!
Rooms must be secured by February 27, 2026 for discounted rate.
Rates: $144.40/per room in the MTRPA block with taxes and fees.
Options include: queen bed, king bed, or 2 double beds.
GROUP NAME: MTRPA 2026 Conference
RESERVATION DATES: 3/30/26 – 4/2/26
GROUP BOOKING CODE: MTR
Reserve on-line or call the front desk 24/7 at 406-721-8550
Thank you 2025 Conference Sponsors!
Our Annual Conference is not possible without the support from our sponsors. Thank you!
Ready to Sponsor or Exhibit at our 2026 Conference? See our Sponsor Invitation!
Questions?
For inquires, email contact@mtrpa.info