Greater & Greener 2026 offers many opportunities to connect with fellow park professionals, thought leaders, and innovators throughout the conference.
From receptions in iconic Austin parks to intimate networking sessions, these events provide the perfect setting to build relationships, exchange ideas, and experience Austin’s vibrant parks and green spaces.
The Palmer Center
Sunday, June 14, 2026
7:00 – 9:30 PM
Mix and mingle with conference attendees to kick off your Greater & Greener experience in Austin.
Nestled beside the shimmering waters of Lady Bird Lake and cradled by Butler Park, the Palmer Events Center in Austin is a stunning backdrop with urban flair and natural serenity.
With dramatic sweeping canopies and an asymmetrical roof reminiscent of a “Pavilion in the Park,” the venue makes an architectural statement while embracing the green spirit of the city. It is the perfect location for our Opening Reception.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the venue is LEED Gold–certified and powered entirely by renewable energy, with comprehensive recycling and composting operations that divert half of all waste from landfills.
Bring your camera for the nighttime Austin skyline – it’s the true “money shot.”
Sponsored by
Waterloo Ballroom
Austin Marriott Downtown
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
2:00 – 3:30 PM
Meet the mayors who are transforming how cities think about parks. In an era of extreme weather, funding challenges, and social division, city leaders are turning to parks as powerful solutions for their most pressing problems.
Our panel of mayors will have a dynamic conversation about parks as urban infrastructure. Learn how they’re thinking about parks as tools for:
• climate resilience in the face of extreme weather,
• social cohesion through shared community spaces,
• public health via accessible nature and recreation, and
• innovative funding models that sustain park systems long-term.
Expect candid insights on navigating reduced federal funding, evolving policy priorities, and political fragmentation, while still delivering the parks their communities need to thrive.
The 2026 Mayors Forum will feature mayors from Austin, TX, Fort Worth, TX, Cleveland, OH, and Greenville, SC.
Sponsored by
Waterloo Park
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
7:00 – 9:30 PM
As Greater & Greener 2026 wraps, it’s time to wind down with friends old and new at Austin’s Waterloo Park.
Just steps from the Texas Capitol, Waterloo Park is more than a park. It’s a deeply Austin experience: a place where music, nature, history, and community dance together in harmony.
Anchored by 11 acres of revitalized green space, the park features more than 1.5 miles of winding, shady trails that meander through native Hill Country gardens and wetlands, all tethered by the gentle flow of Waller Creek. This serene urban oasis brings together wellness, creativity, and community amidst the city skyline.
Waterloo Park’s design tells a story: over 500 new native plants and more than 60 preserved heritage trees—including a majestic 150‑ton live oak—offer shade, beauty, and ecological resilience. Rain gardens, wetland terraces, and an elevated skywalk both educate and delight as they transform stormwater into lush landscapes while revealing the creek’s historical legacy. At its dynamic core, the Moody Amphitheater welcomes you to soak in live music, cultural performances, and community events on a sweeping 5,000-person lawn under a striking canopy design, which is the main location for our event.
From Walk & Talks to the Exhibition Happy Hour and Ice Cream and Popcorn Socials, Greater & Greener offers many informal opportunities to connect with new people and reconnect with old friends.