Description

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED FOR THIS EVENT.

Everyone is invited to attend this training day powered by CPRA's Facility Management Section and hosted at Bison Ridge Recreation Center in Commerce City. Presenter Chris Nunes, CPRE, will lead 4 sessions on the topics listed below. Chris is the Director of Parks and Recreation for The Woodlands Township in The Woodlands, Texas. (Chris's bio can be found at the bottom of this page.)

The first two sessions will take place in the morning and are geared towards customer service/frontline staff. The two afternoon sessions are geared towards supervisors/managers. With this said, everyone is welcome to attend the sessions regardless of your current position. Each session is worth 0.1 CEUs.

Registration options are tailored to fit your needs. You may register for the full day which includes lunch and all 4 sessions, (0.4 CEUs), or you may register for the 2 morning sessions, (0.2 CEUs) or 2 afternoon sessions, (0.2 CEUs), which does not include lunch but you may add a lunch option separately. 

Thank you to our Lunch Sponsor, Kaizen! 

Training Topics:

Session 1: Customer Service

Just think about the last time you had a bad experience with a store, service, or product. Did you wonder why? If you really think about it, all negative experiences boil down to one thing, a lack of customer service. Sometimes customers can be difficult, but no matter what their attitude or reasoning we should welcome the opportunity to find out why, and use that information to improve our programs and services. This session will provide information on types of customers you will encounter, tips for how to deal with customer types and an overall plan on how to improve customer service at your agency.

Session 2: Consumer Behavior

The parks and recreation consumer is a sharp individual who basis their decision making on whether to consumer your program, service or facility in a number of different factors.  Consumer behavior if s a complex interplay of psychological, social, cultural, and economic factors. Understanding these factors will enable the parks and recreation professional to deliver relevant and sustainable programs, event and facilities.

Session 3: The Supervisor as a Coach/Trainer

Superior knowledge and experience don’t always translate into the ability to teach others. And though the role of trainer is one of the most important duties you fill as a supervisor, there’s a good chance you’ve never had any training in it. It’s perfectly normal—despite being a crucial part of your job, a manager’s role as teacher is often overlooked. This session will cover strategies and expert techniques to help you train your staff more effectively, improving their efficiency and making you a better overall manager.

Session 4: Expense Management: Reducing Cost but Not Quality

Expense management for our programs and facilities is an essential skill for any recreation and sport agency. Participants will gain knowledge in the various methods in which to reduce costs through a variety of tips, tricks and techniques which range for supplies to staff.  Specific attention will be paid to programs and facility management and how to ensure that these savings can be sustained over the long term.  Most importantly participants will have the ability to reduce their cost of providing a service which can result in more profit or the ability to continue their vital services.

Schedule of Events:

Registration: 8:30am - 9:00am 

Session 1: 9:00am - 10:00am 

Session 2: 10:10am - 11:10am 

Lunch: 11:10am - 11:50am 

Session 3: 11:50am - 12:50pm 

Session 4: 1:00pm - 2:00pm

Presenter Bio: 

Chris Nunes, CPRE is the Director of Parks and Recreation for The Woodlands Township in The Woodlands, Texas. In that position, a $38.2 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 480+ 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.