The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is proud to announce Dan Buettner as the opening keynote speaker for the 2024 NRPA Annual Conference.
Buettner is an explorer, National Geographic Fellow, award-winning journalist and producer, Netflix host, and New York Times bestselling author. He discovered the five places in the world — dubbed blue zones hotspots — where people live the longest, healthiest lives. His articles about these places in The New York Times Magazine and National Geographic are two of the most popular for both publications.
Buettner now works in partnership with municipal governments, large employers and health insurance companies to implement Blue Zones Projects in communities, workplaces and universities. Blue Zones Projects are well-being initiatives that apply lessons from the Blue Zones to entire communities by focusing on changes to the local environment, public policy and social networks. The program has dramatically improved the health of more than 5 million Americans to date.
“We are thrilled to have Dan Buettner join us as the opening keynote speaker for the 2024 NRPA Annual Conference,“ said Kristine Stratton, NRPA president and CEO. “His extensive knowledge and expertise in longevity and well-being will be beneficial to attendees who are building holistic, people-centered Community Wellness Hubs through parks and recreation. We are so grateful to have him join us in Atlanta!”
For more than 50 years, the NRPA Annual Conference has been the premier annual meeting of the park and recreation community. The conference brings together more than 8,000 park and recreation professionals, academics, students, advocates and industry suppliers over three days for education sessions, poster sessions, networking events, and the opportunity to preview the latest products and services in the industry.
The NRPA Annual Conference is the premier event for park and recreation professionals. This year, the 2024 NRPA Annual Conference will take place from October 8-10, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia, at the Georgia World Congress Center. Registration opens May 13, 2024.
To learn more about Dan Buettner, visit conference.nrpa.org/keynote-speaker
To learn more about NRPA, visit nrpa.org.
###
About the National Recreation and Park Association
The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is the leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation. With more than 60,000 members, NRPA advances this mission by investing in and championing the work of park and recreation professionals and advocates — the catalysts for positive change in service of equity, climate-readiness, and overall health and well-being. For more information, visit nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit parksandrecreation.org.