Conference Experience

Monday, September 14 – Arrival & Welcome

• Registration and packet pickup
• Evening welcome social – Davenport Hotel

Tuesday, September 15 – National Leadership & Partnership Day

(This day may be attended as a one-day registration)

Our largest and most collaborative day, bringing together foundations, agencies, and national partners.

• Welcome from the Spokane Tribe and regional park leadership
• National and cross-border leadership in park philanthropy, including Jamie Kelley
• Perspectives from California, Texas, and British Columbia
• Session with Ron Olson: How foundations can strengthen alignment and coordination with state park agencies

Afternoon Field Experience:

• Visit the confluence of the Little Spokane and Spokane Rivers:
• Explore Washington’s first building, a historic fur trading post
• Travel to Riverside State Park

Evening:

• Group dinner at Bowl & Pitcher (swinging bridge group camp)

Wednesday, September 16  – Alignment, Innovation & Fundraising

• Follow-on session with Ron Olson: Practical next steps for strengthening foundation–agency coordination across advocacy, fundraising, and shared priorities
• AI & Fundraising Workshop with Nathan Chappell
• Donor Storytelling & Major Gifts with Mary Snyder

Evening:

• Dinner and auction at Arbor Crest Wine Cellars

Thursday, September 17 – Take It Home: Scaling What Works

• Scaling Run for the Trees: Grow Participation, Revenue, and Impact with Joan Kowalski
• Practical tools to expand participation, increase revenue, and strengthen sponsorships. Multi-state coordination and peer exchange. This is designed as a working session—you’ll leave with ideas and tools you can put into action immediately