70th Annual Parks Education Forum is being held in Burlington on
September 17th and 18th 2025.
This event is being hosted by
The City of Burlington
Thursday, September 17 – Outdoor Experience
11:00 a.m. – Park Meetup + Lunch
Kick things off outdoors in a beautiful Burlington park. Enjoy a hosted lunch while networking with peers and exploring live vendor demonstrations in a real park setting—interactive, practical, and engaging.
1:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Vendor Showcase
Vendors take the spotlight with dedicated time to showcase products and equipment in action. Expect creative setups and plenty of opportunities to explore solutions tailored to municipal needs.
5:00 p.m. – Evening Reception
Reconnect at the Holiday Inn for a relaxed meet-and-greet with attendees and vendors. Afterward, enjoy Burlington’s vibrant dining scene at your leisure.
Friday, September 18 – Education & Insights
8:00 a.m. – Breakfast
Start your day with breakfast at the hotel.
8:45 a.m. – Welcome Remarks
Opening greetings from the City of Burlington.
9:00 a.m. – Featured Speaker: Michelle Clarke
Founder of Next Gen Grit, Michelle brings practical strategies for navigating change and integrating AI into everyday work—expect an interactive session with real-world takeaways.
10:00 a.m. – Break
10:15 a.m. – Industry Roundtable
Join a moderated discussion led by OPA President Gene Matthews—share insights and hear perspectives from across the sector.
11:15 a.m. – Leadership Session: What Makes a Great Leader
Explore the qualities and approaches that define effective leadership in today’s environment.
12:00 p.m. – Lunch
12:45 p.m. – OPA Awards & Prize Draw
Celebrate achievements across the sector—and maybe win a prize.
1:30 p.m. – Guest Speaker (Topic to be announced)
2:15 p.m. – Break
2:30 p.m. – Looking Ahead
Be part of the conversation shaping future OPA Forums.
3:00 p.m. – Closing Remarks
Wrap up with final thoughts from President Gene Matthews.
As a participating vendor, you’ll also receive a half-page advertisement in our Green Sward—with the flexibility to choose the seasonal edition that best suits your marketing plans.
An Ideal Networking Environment
We’ve designed the space to maximize meaningful connections:
30 tabletop displays arranged around the inner perimeter of the meeting room
A more intimate, accessible layout for better engagement
Dedicated networking time before the event begins and during scheduled breaks
This is your chance to:
Showcase your products and services to parks professionals from across Ontario
Build new relationships
Reconnect with existing clients
Table Selection Process
To ensure a fair and strategic layout:
Table assignments are based on payment date (first come, first served)
Vendors will be contacted in order of registration to select their preferred table
You’ll have 24 hours to respond before we move to the next vendor
We’ll do our best to avoid placing competitors side-by-side
Please note: Registration is only confirmed once payment is received. While OPA will make every effort to honor table preferences, final placement is subject to venue limitations.
OPA Member Rates
Early Bird (Register by June 30, 2026):
September 18 only: $650
Both days: $1,450
Late Bird (Starting July 1, 2026):
September 18 only: $750
Both days: $1,600
Additional Tickets:
September 17: $120
September 18 meal ticket: $120
Potential Member Rates
Early Bird:
Both days: $1,600
September 18 only: $900
Late Bird:
Both days: $1,800
September 18 only: $950
Additional Tickets:
September 18 meal ticket: $120
Social Networking Event: $150
All pricing includes lunch, light hors d’oeuvres at the meet-and-greet, and breakfast and lunch on September 18. Additional meal tickets must be purchased in advance. All attending representatives must be registered prior to the event.
Guest Room Rates Available at Candlewood Suites: Wednesday September 16, 2026 - Friday September 18, 2026.
- Standard Room with 2 Queen Beds or 1 King Bed- $176.00 (plus 13% tax & 4% Mat per evening)
- Breakfast is NOT included in the rate.
- Complimentary parking and Wi-Fi is included for all guests.
Cut Off Date In order to benefit from the discounted rate all reservations must be made by August 15, 2026. Book early to secure the availability, rate and date. Individual cancellations must be made 72hrs prior to the check-in date to avoid a one-night cancellation penalty.
To Book Online: Attendees can book directly online by clicking the following link which has your negotiated rates pre-loaded:
PLEASE ENSURE CORRECT CHECK IN AND CHECK OUT DATES ARE SELECTED BEFORE SEARCHING
Candlewood Suites & Ontario Parks Assoc Guestroom Reservation Link
To Book by Phone: Call the Hotel's Toll Free Reservation Line at 905-639-4443 and ask for Candlewood Suites reservations. In order to receive the group rate, the caller must ask for Ontario Parks Association; Group Code “PAR
OPA sincerely thanks you for your continued support—we look forward to seeing you in Burlington!
Register now using the button on the left to secure your vendor space.
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