Greater & Greener is unlike any other conference. As the premier gathering for urban parks professionals from across the country, attendees can spend as much time outdoors in the local host city as they do at indoor educational sessions.
Here’s how to prepare for four days of rich learning, meaningful networking, and exploring the City of Atlanta alongside urban park leaders from across the country.
Early Bird Pricing: February X, 2028 – April X, 2028 (Prices increase on April X, 2028.)
Conference Website: greatergreener.org
Conference Schedule: greatergreener.org/schedule
Conference Pricing: greatergreener.org/pricing
Our host cities become an outdoor classroom on Weekend Tours, Mobile Workshops, Walk & Talks, and hands-on experiences in parks and public spaces.
The conference is intentionally intimate so you can build relationships with peers across sectors during networking opportunities and small-group discussions.
Go beyond presentations and learn directly from projects, places, and practitioners working on the front lines of urban park innovation.
Smaller events are intentionally designed to encourage private conversations on difficult topics like funding, partnerships, resilience, equity, and the realities of implementing change.
Our Weekend Tours, Mobile Workshops, and Walk & Talks all take place in the host city’s parks and public spaces. These sessions are rain-or-shine, so be prepared for all types of weather, including high heat.
These sessions will only be cancelled in the event of severe weather.
Weekend Tours and Mobile Workshops are opportunities for true outdoor exploration and can sometimes include difficult terrain. Please read the session descriptions for accessibility recommendations.
We recommend wearing sneakers or hiking boots, along with athletic wear, to manage the terrain.
Weekend Tours and Mobile Workshops often incorporate activities like biking, hiking, kayaking, and more, allowing you to experience parks as a local community member would.
Before signing up, we strongly encourage you to evaluate your physical capabilities and choose sessions accordingly.
Breakfasts are provided on Monday and Tuesday, as well as light refreshments at our Receptions, but lunches and dinners are on your own. Plan ahead and budget accordingly.
You can find local restaurant recommendations, courtesy of the Atlanta team, in the conference app.
Transportation will be provided for our outdoor events, including Weekend Tours, Mobile Workshops, Volunteer Service Day, and Receptions.
Atlanta International Airport is about 25 minutes from downtown. Rideshares and public transit are widely available to help you navigate the city.
The conference hotel room block fills quickly. Book early to secure a room at the conference rate.
All indoor sessions, including general sessions like the Keynote, Plenary, and Mayors Forum, all take place in the conference hotel.
To navigate the hotel with ease, check the hotel floor plan in the conference app.
The conference app, which will be available a week before the conference, will help you access your schedule, navigate the hotel, connect with other attendees, and more. Download it to your device and set up your profile before you arrive.
Smaller Peer Conversations and social events are intentionally designed to encourage conversation on sometimes difficult topics.
Peer Conversations are closed and private to allow for confidential information-sharing.
To make the most of your time in Atlanta, don’t forget to pack these essentials:
Clothing
☐ Athletic outfits
☐ Business casual outfits
☐ Social outfits
☐ Eyeglasses
☐ Walking or hiking shoes
☐ Rain jacket or poncho
☐ Sweater or jacket for indoors
☐ Backpack
☐ Swimsuit
Sun Protection
☐ Sunscreen
☐ Sunglasses
☐ Hat (wide-brimmed is highly recommended)
☐ Portable fan
Business
☐ Portable charger or power bank
☐ Laptop and/or tablet
☐ Headphones and case
☐ Smartwatch and charger
☐ Notebook and pen or pencil
☐ Power strip
☐ Business cards and holder
Miscellaneous
☐ Reusable water bottle
☐ Electrolyte packets
☐ Personal prescriptions
☐ Travel sized toiletries
☐ Travel sized hand sanitizer
Greater & Greener gives you the chance to turn parks, trails, greenways, waterways, playgrounds, and other green spaces into your classroom.
Learn about the different session types, both indoor and outdoor, so you can navigate the schedule and pick sessions with confidence.
From Walk & Talks to the Exhibition Happy Hour and Ice Cream Social, Greater & Greener offers many informal opportunities to connect with new people and reconnect with old friends.
Learn about the different networking opportunities, both indoor and outdoor, so you can build your personal network with ease.
Meet us at our in-person Conference Essentials session to go into more depth on these topics, as well as meet and network with fellow attendees.