Abby Long Abby serves as the Executive Director for the Kingdom Trail Association, a 100+ mile, nonprofit trail network in Vermont's beautiful Northeast Kingdom. She also serves as the Board Chair for the NEK Collaborative, Vermont Trails & Greenway Council (VTGC) Executive Committee, Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative (VOREC) Committee Member, and on Vermont's Forest Future Strategic Road Map Advisory Panel.

Oliver Pierson works with the VT Department of Forests, Parks, & Recreation.

Chris Stevensen Chris Stevenson, an accomplished speaker with a global footprint, has presented dynamic sessions in over a dozen countries and over half of the 50 states. As a former Power Ranger stuntman and founder of The Empower Group, Chris draws from over 20 years of hands-on experience owning and operating highly successful health clubs, consistently achieving industry-leading net promoter scores. His expertise lies in leadership, communication, employee engagement, and customer service, making him a sought-after authority in various industries, including health and fitness, indoor rock climbing, parks and recreation, and more. Beyond his business acumen, Chris has served as a board member, committee member, and published author, contributing to his holistic perspective on industry dynamics. When he isn't entertaining and educating audiences, you can find him in the gym, on a snowboard, or cheering for his sons on the football field. Chris has the unique ability to connect with people instantaneously and to present viable, applicable lectures that resonate with every audience.

Luke O'Brien Luke O'Brien is an Outdoor Recreation Specialist for the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. He has over 25 years of trail building and management experience- primarily in northeastern Vermont, where he oversees recreation resources and visitor use. Together with the Northeast Kingdom Backcountry Coalition (NEKBC), he manages the Willoughby State Forest Backcountry Ski Zone. In collaboration with the Catamount Trail Association, US Forest Service, and Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) staff, he co-authored the Vermont Backcountry Handbook.

Walter Opuszynski Walter has been working with recreation trails for over two decades. Previous roles include Trail Crew Leader for the Maine Conservation Corps, Trail Director for the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, and owner of True to the Land Trails, LLC. His current role with the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR) is focused on managing recreation resources on State Lands in Central Vermont. Efforts are focused on working with partners, volunteers and FPR staff to provide the public with safe, sustainable, and enjoyable recreation experiences. Management activities involve supporting long range management plan development and implementation, procuring resource data via infrastructure assessments, user surveys, and trail usage data and managing grants and field projects.

Now more than ever, Parks & Recreation departments across the country are asked to rapidly evolve as the demands and needs of our constituents change. Adapting to trends like artificial Intelligence, tackling technology accessibility and social inequities, catering to booming sports like pickleball and cricket, and driving resident satisfaction have become ingrained in our DNA. How do we gear up for these changes and continue to innovate when budgetary and staff resources are limited? Technology can and should be an ally. This session will explore various emerging trends in parks & recreation through roundtable discussions and how departments across the country are leveraging simple, but effective uses of technology to tackle challenges and unlock efficiency. .