The 2025 National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Conference is happening September 16–18 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida! We’re excited to announce that CADdetails will be there, and we hope to see you on the show floor. 

If you’re exhibiting, you’ll be showcasing your products to the very audience you're looking to reach—parks and recreation decision-makers from across the country. This conference is a prime opportunity to connect with qualified prospects—check out these key stats from the NRPA: 

NRPA statisticsSource: NRPA

To help you make the most of this key industry event, we’re sharing our top 4 secrets for success:  

  1. Design a Booth That Speaks to the NRPA Audience 
  2. Capture Leads the Smart Way
  3. Follow Up While the Momentum Is Strong
  4. Prioritize Your Well-Being at the Show
  5. Make Time to Explore Sunny Orlando 

Source: NRPA

1. Design a Booth That Speaks to the NRPA Audience 

Your trade show booth is your brand’s first impression, so be sure to make it count. To maximize visibility and engagement, focus on a clean, modern design that effectively communicates your product offering and draws attendees in. 

Here are some key elements to consider: 

  • Bold, impactful signage that quickly conveys what your brand offers

  • Interactive product displays or models that demonstrate value and usability

  • Designated areas for engagement, such as seating or product touchpoints, to encourage deeper conversations 

You can also consider aligning your booth design with the event’s focus on parks, recreation, and public spaces. A thoughtful and on-theme display will help attendees immediately recognize what you offer and encourage them to stop by and learn more. 

The goal is to stand out, stay relevant, and connect quickly with decision-makers who are looking for exactly what you provide. Here are some quick booth design ideas by product category: 

Playground Equipment & Amusement Rides: Create a colorful, interactive setup that highlights your safety features, inclusive play options, and durability. Bring life-size models, digital visualizations, or even video footage of your equipment in action to spark curiosity and engagement. 

Outdoor Surfacing Manufacturers: Feature samples of your surfacing materials for visitors to see and touch—whether it’s poured-in-place rubber, turf, or modular tiles. Highlight key specs like fall height compliance, weather resistance, and ease of installation. 

Outdoor Structures & Furniture: Design your booth like a mini public space—use benches, shade structures, or cabanas from your own catalog to create a natural gathering spot. Include signage about sustainability, customization options, and commercial applications. 

Signage & Wayfinding: Bring examples of your most popular post systems, interpretive signage, and directional solutions. Use mock park layouts or mini-maps to show how your signage enhances navigation and user experience. 

Outdoor Lighting: Illuminate your booth—literally—with a showcase of your lighting products. Use visuals to demonstrate energy efficiency, smart controls, and real-world park installations. Bonus: Lighting can make your booth more inviting in dimmer exhibit halls. 

Washroom Solutions: Highlight hygiene, accessibility, and low-maintenance features with digital renderings, material samples, and video walk-throughs. Consider before-and-after images of past public space installations to show transformation and functionality. 

2. Capture Leads the Smart Way 

Trade show attendees are bombarded with brochures and handouts, most of which end up in the trash. To stand out and secure meaningful leads, go digital. 

Here’s how to make it easy (and effective) for prospects to share their info: 

  • Use a tablet form at your booth for quick, seamless lead capture
  • Offer a free downloadable asset (like a CAD drawing, BIM model, 3D rendering, or 3-Part Specification) in exchange for an email 

You can also take it up a notch with Prodify’s Visualizer, your secret weapon for digital product demos. Here are 3 reasons why digital product demos work: 

  1. They're interactive, allowing prospects to engage with your CAD, BIM, and 3D files in real time.

  2. They’re portable, perfect for walking prospects through key features anywhere on the show floor.

  3. They’re memorable, giving you a competitive edge over static handouts and flat presentations.

Prodify's Visualizer

Learn more about Visualizer here. 

3. Follow Up While the Momentum Is Strong 

NRPA may only last a few days, but the connections you make can lead to long-term business growth if you follow up with intention. Once the event wraps, carve out time to nurture those new relationships by sending personalized follow-up emails that include links to your website, CADdetails profile, Design Hub, and other relevant product resources. 

Be sure to reference the specific products or content they engaged at the conference with to show you’re paying attention, and then extend an invitation to a Lunch-and-Learn, one-on-one demo, or strategy call to keep the conversation going. 

4. Prioritize Your Well-Being at the Show 

Taking care of yourself during the show is key to making the most of your experience. Here are a few simple tips to help you stay energized, refreshed, and ready to enjoy everything the event has to offer. 

Stay Fueled & Hydrated 
Keep your energy up by eating regularly, drinking plenty of water, and taking breaks when needed. Remember to pack a reusable water bottle and plenty of snacks. 

Dress for the Day 
Comfort is key! Wear supportive shoes for long hours on your feet and dress in layers to stay comfortable in changing temperatures. 

Connect Through Affinity Groups 
Don’t miss the Affinity Group Meet Ups—an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow participants who share your interests, background, or experiences. 

Recharge in Well-Being Spaces 
Take care of yourself during the conference by visiting dedicated spaces designed to promote calm and mindfulness: 

  • Meditation Room 
     A peaceful, self-guided space to refresh and recenter. Yoga mats are available.

  • Multi-Faith Room 
    A welcoming area for quiet reflection, prayer, and spiritual expression for all beliefs. 

  • Quiet Room 
     Step away from the stimulation of the convention floor. This calming space offers tools like adult coloring pages and sensory items to help you reset. 

5. Make Time to Soak Up the Sunshine in Orlando 

We know the NRPA conference is going to keep you busy, but if you can carve out a little downtime, Orlando has plenty to offer beyond the convention floor. Whether you're extending your trip or just sneaking in some sightseeing, here are a few ways to make the most of your time in the Sunshine State: 

  • Stroll Through Lake Eola Park – Located in the heart of downtown, this peaceful spot offers walking trails, swan boat rentals, and beautiful skyline views.

Lake Eola

Source: City of Orlando

After a productive day on the show floor, Orlando’s sunshine, scenery, and entertainment are the perfect way to recharge. 

Connect with CADdetails at NRPA 2025 

We’re so excited to be attending NRPA 2025! Our team member Luca will be walking the show floor and meeting with manufacturers like you.  

Luca Lorefice

Luca Lorefice, Sales Development Team Lead

Want to connect with him during the event? Request a booth visit, and he’ll swing by. We’d love to hear what you’re working on and show you how CADdetails can help take your product visibility to the next level.  

Thinking about joining CADdetails? Enter our raffle for a chance to win $3,000 toward your subscription! 

Want to learn more about CADdetails? Book a demo here. 

See you at the show! 

Cover image by Kruck20 on Canva