NASPD 2021 Conference

Laurel Hill State Park, PA

Welcome to the Laurel Highlands

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Dear Directors,

After rescheduling our host state responsibilities for an on-site in-person conference in 2020 due to the COVID 19 pandemic, I’m pleased to announce that the Pennsylvania State Parks team is in final planning and preparation mode for the 2021 National Association of State Parks Directors Conference. The past year of personal and professional challenges and triumphs in our lives certainly has no parallel. To reconvene state parks leadership and industry professionals in person in the beautiful landscape of the Laurel Highlands is our worthy and important goal.

The conference venue of Seven Springs Mountain Resort is embedded in the heart of this important, specially designated Conservation Landscape, one of seven in the commonwealth. Spanning five counties, this region of Pennsylvania is rich with important public lands that will serve as an inspiring setting for the 2021 conference. With eight state parks, one state forest, units of the National Park Service, and protected conservancy properties, this location is an ideal destination for healthful outdoor recreation, connecting people to their
natural and cultural heritage, and for providing an immersive conservation experience.

Only an hour southeast of Pittsburgh and containing an abundance of year-round outdoor adventures, Seven Springs’ central location along the Laurel Ridge will be our base camp for your time in the Laurel Highlands. Whether by trail, water, or road, (hopefully all three if planned well) exploring all the region has to offer will be easy and convenient from our conference destination. Scenic byways, iconic rivers, and majestic trails are all part of the package. Protecting and conserving this special place in the Keystone State has been done through the dedicated work and trusted partnerships of many for more than a century.

The prime element in all of Pennsylvania’s Conservation Landscapes is partnership. Only with strong and sustained partnerships, which are part and parcel of our work in 121 state parks and 20 state forests totaling 2.5 million acres, can our stewardship mandate and trustee responsibilities be achieved.

Having the privilege to host this conference for state parks leadership and industry professionals from across North America is certainly important for Pennsylvania. The ability to provide a mutually beneficial event and facilitate this conference in person would not be possible without the participation, partnership, and support of you, your staff, and our valued exhibitors and sponsors. Making business and professional connections while sharing ideas and solutions for America’s State Parks are paramount to our collective success. With the expertise, dedication, and commitment of our Pa. team, the 2021 conference aims directly to provide the optimal environment and experience for making these important connections for all in attendance. Please consider bringing your deputy directors, executive assistants, and chiefs of interpretation as we are planning specific meeting times for each of these groups of employees during the conference.

We are honored to have the opportunity to host you at the national conference this year and very much look forward to spending some time together in the Laurel Highlands.

Best,

John Hallas signature

John Hallas
Bureau Director