Greater & Greener 2026 brings together more than 1,200 urban park leaders, city planning and design professionals, public officials, advocates, funders, and innovators from across the world for four days of wide-reaching discussions, dynamic dialogue, and energizing workshops on ways to keep parks at the forefront of innovation, civic priority, and public engagement.
Volunteers for Greater & Greener 2026 play a vital role in the Conference by offering valuable assistance, essential information, and expert guidance to participants and guests. Their contributions span various tasks, including support for indoor breakout sessions, outdoor mobile workshops, weekend tours, and assistance with Conference and Event registration. As the face of the Conference, these dedicated volunteers form a cornerstone for the success of Greater & Greener 2026.
*Individual assignments might have additional requirements as indicated in the Volunteer Opportunities section below.
Tour Assistants: Greater & Greener 2026 offers 40-weekend tours and mobile workshops over four days. Tour Assistants work in conjunction with the Tour Leader to ensure that participants are comfortable and remain with the larger group. Tour Assistants will move the group to/from the tour/workshop location either by conference bus or mass transit. Tour Assistants “check” people into the tour using mobile scanners. The volunteer assignment is for the entire length of the tour, plus 30 minutes before the start of the tour and 30 minutes after the tour as needed. Tour Assistants serve as a vital communication link between the tour leader, participants, and conference organizers.
Educational Assistants: Greater & Greener 2026 indoor breakout sessions are available for continuing education credits and will require an educational assistant to publicize and enforce the requirements of CEU credits; instructions are provided during volunteer training. Educational assistants must “check” people into the session using mobile scanners. Additionally, educational assistants will support room operations and will provide a key link to Conference organizers. As part of your role, you will have the opportunity to listen to panelists and learn about the featured topic. Educational Assistants must be at the room location 15 minutes before the start of the session and must remain in the session until all participants have left. Educational Assistants are encouraged to volunteer for at least two assignments.
Administrative Support (Runners and Information Assistants): Keynote, plenary, and breakout sessions will take place at the Austin Marriott Downtown. Runners and floor captains are needed to keep participants moving and to provide administrative support (escorting people to rooms, messaging, and people management) on an as-needed basis. Runners are required to have a smartphone to access the conference mobile app to provide room locations and times. Runners and Information Assistants must commit, at a minimum, to a five-hour continuous assignment.
Administrative Support (Registration): Registration (check-in) takes place at the Austin Marriott Downtown. Registration assistants are needed to greet participants, assist in the electronic check-in process, and give participants their conference badges and materials. Registration assistants are the first “point of contact” for attendees. Registration volunteer assignments are a minimum of five hours, and volunteers in this role are encouraged to work multiple shifts as it requires specialized training.
Way-Finding Assistants: Greater & Greener 2026 takes place on multiple levels at the hotel. To effectively move a large number of participants between floors, we need high-energy individuals to provide way-finding services. A four-hour minimum assignment is required.
Event Support: We are looking for a limited number of individuals to assist us with badge verification/check-in at our opening and closing receptions. Volunteers in this role must be willing to remain at the registration desk throughout the event.