Parks and Leisure Australia’s 21st conference, 22-25 October, Gold Coast is headlined by leaders of our industry where delegates gain first hand insights from some of the world’s most distinguished and are inspired by the people behind the 2018 Commonwealth Games with the opportunity to learn from world class examples of brilliance in design, planning and delivery.
The event has an ambitious agenda of four streams; Managing, Planning, Communicating and Balancing, five keynotes and over 40 frontline perspectives from industry professionals through case studies master classes, workshops and technical tours.
Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, PP, RTPI (hon.), FPIA (hon).
Mitchell Silver is the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Parks and is also the immediate past president of the American Planning Association (APA). As Parks Commissioner, Mitchell oversees management, planning and operations of nearly 30,000 acres of parkland, which includes parks, playgrounds, beaches, marinas, recreation centres, wilderness areas and other assets.
Mitchell is an award-winning planner with over 30 years of experience. He is internationally recognized for his leadership in the planning profession and his contributions to contemporary planning issues.
He was the Dunlop Lecturer in Housing and Urbanization at Harvard University, and in 2014 he was inducted into the College of Fellows of the APA.
On Monday 23 October Mitchell will discuss: Can parks be open for business? – the challenges and opportunities, and on Tuesday 24 October is hosting a workshop ‘Green Power’- why parks are essential’.
AP Diaz, Executive Officer, LA Recreation and Parks, USA
Anthony-Paul (AP) Diaz is the Executive Officer and Chief of Staff for the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP) and is responsible for helping to manage and oversee all day-to-day operations of the Department.
AP has over 18 years of professional experience and service to the City of Los Angeles. Prior he served as a City Attorney in the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office where he handled and litigated hundreds of matters in the Criminal Branch.
AP also serves as an instructor at the Los Angeles Police Department and Los Angeles Fire Department Leadership academies teaching Adult Development Theory and Transformational Leadership.
AP was born in Hollywood and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in International Politics from Georgetown University, Washington.
On Tuesday 24 October AP will discuss ‘Management & Inspirational Leadership Styles: Strategies for running effective organisations in a world of generational differences and competing technologies’ and on the same day a workshop ‘Common Goals – Different People: exploring how the affects of our upbringings shape our approaches towards work, relationships and learning’.
Mark Peters
Mark Peters serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation, a position he accepted after heading the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Bid Company.
His senior sporting administration roles include almost ten years as CEO of the Australian Sports Commission; President of the Australian Baseball Federation; and Executive member of International Baseball Federation.
Mark has long advocated for increased sport and physical fitness programs in schools and championed Australia’s profile on the international sporting stage, as a competitive nation and host destination for major sporting events.
His extensive portfolio of leadership and management experience covers tourism, events and sports organisational governance and structure.
Mark is also a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and graduate of Harvard University’s Advanced Management Program.
Mark will open the conference on Day 1
Bernard Salt
Bernard heads The Demographics Group which provides specialist advice on demographic, consumer and social trends for business.
He writes two weekly columns for The Australian newspaper and is an adjunct professor at Curtin University Business School.
He is perhaps best known to the wider community for his penchant for identifying and tagging new tribes and social behaviours such as the ‘Seachange Shift’, the ‘Man Drought’ and ‘PUMCINS’ (pronounced pumkins).
He was also responsible for popularising smashed avocados globally.
His body of work is summarised in six popular best-selling books.
He was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2017 Australia Day honours.
On Tuesday 24th October Mr Salt will discuss ‘The future – beyond the horizon – imagining the Gold Coast of the future’ and on the same day is hosting a workshop ‘How to improve your personal brand’.
For more www.parksleisure.com.au/conference
