The Conference Theme is “Creating a Sense of PLAce”

This theme follows the direction of the PLA National Board Strategic Plan for 2008 -2013.

Parks and leisure amenities and services contribute in many ways to communities’ sense of place – local and regional identities, social capital and quality of life – through, programs, events and associations, landscapes and landmarks and heritage and environmental conservation.

The following examples of topics will be presented, discussed and workshopped at the 2008 PLA Conference.

• Adapting our PLAces – responding to climate change
• Celebrating PLAce – events and festivals
• Leisure and the regeneration/re-creation of PLAce – conservation, design and renewal
• Reflections of PLAce – looking back: successful projects and their legacies
• PLAnning and Creating Special PLAces – advances in planning and strategy preparation
• People and PLAces – programs and participation
• PLAces for PLAy – innovative provision for children
• Managing and maintaining PLAces
• Recreating PLAce (Health and Wellness- Obesity)
• PLA and its place in the industry
• Promoting $ value of PLAces