Description

Conference Operations Assistant
(Temporary – Contract)

The Colorado Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA) seeks a Conference Operations Assistant to support planning and execution of the 2026 CPRA Annual Conference, which will be held October 21–23, 2026 in Breckenridge.

This position will provide operational, administrative, and logistical support focused primarily on conference speakers, continuing education coordination, registration quality control, exhibitor and sponsor support, attendee communications, and conference committee coordination.

About CPRA
CPRA is a statewide professional membership association serving parks, recreation, therapeutic recreation, aquatics, facilities, open space, and outdoor recreation professionals throughout Colorado. The CPRA Annual Conference is the association’s largest annual event and brings together professionals from across the state for education, networking, and professional development.

Scope of Work

Speaker & Session Coordination

• Coordinate communication with conference speakers regarding session selection, timelines, registration, and conference logistics
• Distribute speaker materials and presentation guidance
• Track speaker registrations and coordinate speaker-rate adjustments or refunds as needed
• Collect, organize, and route CEU documentation for committee review
• Follow up with speakers regarding missing materials or CEU revisions
• Assist with uploading speaker information into the conference app or platform
• Confirm speaker fees and related documentation as needed

Conference Registration & Operations Support

• Review and maintain registration data quality and consistency
• Verify attendee and agency registration information for accuracy and standardization
• Track substitutions, registration updates, and applicable deadlines and fees
• Confirm sponsor and exhibitor registrations and booth representatives
• Assist with sponsor fulfillment tracking and communications
• Support attendee-facing communications and conference logistics materials

Awards & Attendee Communications

• Coordinate award nomination collection and communication processes
• Assist with gathering award recipient photos, speeches, and presentation materials
• Notify award recipients and nominators as appropriate
• Assist with development and updates of conference “Know Before You Go” webpages and attendee materials
• Compile attendee resource information, including local restaurant and area information

Conference Committee & Event Support

• Coordinate conference committee logistics and volunteer assignments
• Assist with conference committee training related to conference tracking tools and applications
• Help prepare run-of-show documents for keynote sessions, awards banquet, exhibit hall activities, and other major conference events
• Assist with décor, themed items, and other event preparation tasks as needed
• Provide onsite operational support during the conference October 20–23, 2026

Preferred Qualifications & Experience

• Experience supporting conferences, trainings, events, or professional associations
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills
• Excellent written communication and customer service abilities
• Ability to manage multiple timelines and shifting priorities with minimal supervision
• Strong attention to detail and follow-through
• Experience with Google Workspace, spreadsheets, SurveyMonkey, registration systems, conference management systems, and/or event app platforms
• Experience coordinating speakers, CEUs, continuing education programs, or conference logistics preferred
• Experience working with volunteers, committees, or membership organizations preferred

Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, comfortable managing multiple deadlines, and able to work independently in a fast-paced conference planning environment. Experience supporting conferences, events, professional associations, or nonprofit membership organizations is strongly preferred. Candidates should also be comfortable learning and working within membership databases, registration systems, email marketing tools, survey platforms, and conference management or event app platforms. 

Contract Structure & Timeline

• Temporary independent contractor position
• Anticipated contract period: June–October/November 2026
• Estimated workload:
  • Approximately 15 hours/week average through August
  • Approximately 20 hours/week average during September and October
• Primarily remote work environment with some in-person meetings in the Denver metro area
• Full-time onsite support required during conference dates; travel and approved conference-related expenses will be reimbursed
• Contractor is responsible for their own taxes, insurance, and business expenses except as otherwise specified in the contract agreement

Compensation
Compensation is anticipated at approximately $35-42/hour for remote coordination work, depending on experience, plus a fixed onsite conference support rate of approximately $400/day, plus approved travel and conference-related expenses during onsite conference dates.

To Apply

Send cover letter (no more than one page) and resume or CV with relevant experience to cpra@cpra-web.org. Review of applications will begin on June 19th. 

Requirements

Preferred Qualifications & Experience

• Experience supporting conferences, trainings, events, or professional associations
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills
• Excellent written communication and customer service abilities
• Ability to manage multiple timelines and shifting priorities with minimal supervision
• Strong attention to detail and follow-through
• Experience with Google Workspace, spreadsheets, SurveyMonkey, registration systems, conference management systems, and/or event app platforms
• Experience coordinating speakers, CEUs, continuing education programs, or conference logistics preferred
• Experience working with volunteers, committees, or membership organizations preferred

Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, comfortable managing multiple deadlines, and able to work independently in a fast-paced conference planning environment. Experience supporting conferences, events, professional associations, or nonprofit membership organizations is strongly preferred. Candidates should also be comfortable learning and working within membership databases, registration systems, email marketing tools, survey platforms, and conference management or event app platforms. 

Contract Structure & Timeline

• Temporary independent contractor position
• Anticipated contract period: June–October/November 2026
• Estimated workload:
  • Approximately 15 hours/week average through August
  • Approximately 20 hours/week average during September and October
• Primarily remote work environment with some in-person meetings in the Denver metro area
• Full-time onsite support required during conference dates; travel and approved conference-related expenses will be reimbursed
• Contractor is responsible for their own taxes, insurance, and business expenses except as otherwise specified in the contract agreement