Thursday, 9/18/2025 from 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM EST

Room: W304 A-D

Topic(s):
Community Engagement, Customer Service, Partnerships, Workforce Development

Description:
Since 2018, Seattle’s Park Concierge Program has been a cornerstone of downtown park activation, with more than 20,000 hours of activation across six parks and more than 15,000 positive interactions. This partnership between Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) and the Associated Recreation Council ensures that concierges provide a welcoming presence, set up tables, chairs and games, support events, and maintain clean, inviting spaces. Park Concierges also address maintenance needs, provide emergency care, and serve as friendly, knowledgeable faces for visitors. This session highlights the essential role of concierge staff in activating parks and fostering community connections. Participants will learn how to design, implement and sustain a successful park concierge program, including strategies for recruitment, training, scheduling and supporting frontline staff to maximize impact and visitor satisfaction. By the end of this session, attendees will leave with practical tools and insights to build a thriving concierge program in their communities.

Learning Objectives:

1. Attendees will learn how to design and launch a park concierge program, including strategies for identifying needs, building partnerships and structuring the program.

2. Attendees will discover best practices for recruiting, training and providing ongoing support to frontline staff to ensure visitor engagement and operational efficiency.

3. Attendees will gain insights into scheduling, funding and evaluating programs to ensure long-term success and adaptability to meet community needs.

Speaker(s):
Monica Haugen