What is BRAND-AID?

Be prepared for your next promotional launch of mend your last marketing mishap with BRAND-AID - a conference providing in-depth marketing and strategic promotion essentials to aid in building your WOW brand!

From social marketing to whiz bang low cost promotions, the BRAND-AID Conference will do even more than fixing your Boo-Boos!

Full Schedule | Presentation Downloads
Pricing & Registration | Hotel Information

BRAND-AID was created by The City of Grand Prairie and Arlington Parks and Recreation Departments as a way to help other organizations and businesses promote and create awareness for their products and services. BRAND-AID is supported by The Texas Recreation & Park Society (TRAPS) and the Texas Amateur Athletic Federation (TAAF).

Why Should I attend?
It's all about the WOW! One of the most prestigous list of speakers on branding and promotion to ever
grace a Parks and Recreation Conference!

The Price! Two days of training! Continential Breakfast Each Day! Lunch Each Day! Social on First Evening! Free Transportation to and from Either Airport! Free Transportation to/from host hotel to Conference Each Day!

Endorsed by TRAPS! Any remaining proceeds goes to TRAPS.

Get Ready to Experience the "WOW"!

Who to send:
Parks & Recreation staff of all levels, Park Board Members, City Council Members, Volunteers, etc.



About The City of Grand Prairie Parks & Recreation Department

Dedicated to providing “world class service” the department has won the prestigious Gold Medal Award in 2004 from the Texas Recreation and Parks Society (TRAPS), the organization's highest honor. In 2007 and 2008 the department was nominated by the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) as a finalist to the National Gold Medal Award, one of only 4 in America. In 2008, the Gold Medal was awarded to Grand Prairie. Awards are no stranger to the department, for it has racked up honors for Park Development, Maintenance Innovations and Recreation programming over the past few years.

Grand Prairie Parks & Recreation Department website

About The City of Arlington Parks & Recreation Department
Arlington Parks and Recreation Department is commited to providing quality facilities and services that are responsive to a diverse community and sustained with a focus on partnerships, innovation and environmental leadership. For the Arlington community seeking quality facilities and recreational opportunities, the Arlington Parks and Recreation Department offers value and convenience in their own back yard.

Arlington Parks & Recreation Department website

About The Texas Recreation & Park Society (TRAPS)
Texas Recreation and Park Society (TRAPS) is a non-profit 501(c)3 professional and educational organization founded 70 years ago. TRAPS is committed to advancing the field of parks, recreation and leisure services in Texas, while advocating for enhanced recreation opportunities and the increase of public green space for Texans. TRAPS, serves as a clearinghouse of information on parks and recreation, fosters networking and promotes the sharing of information. Currently, there are over 2,000 professional and citizen-advocate members of the Texas Recreation and Park Society. Two of our strongest affiliate partners, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and the Texas Amateur Athletic Federation (TAAF), have ex-officio seats on the Board of Directors.

TRAPS website

About The Texas Amateur Athletic Federation
The Texas Amateur Athletic Federation is a nonprofit organization established in 1925 to promote, organize and conduct amateur athletics in the state of Texas.

TAAF website


Mike Veeck
President & Co-Owner St. Paul Saints
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

Mike Veeck's name has been synonymous with fun at the ballpark for nearly a century. He is a recipient of the coveted MacPhail Award given annually for excellence in promotions with minor league teams. Author of "Fun is Good," you don't want to miss this guru of promotions and marketing. Using FUN as his trademark, Veeck gives keynotes throughout America.

 
Dr. John Crompton
Distinguished Professor, Texas A&M University
Division of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Science
World renowned researcher, educator, and presenter in the field of parks and recreation, Dr. Crompton unveils how your agency can make a business case to fund your marketing efforts. In addition, Dr. Crompton will give you insight on how to re-position your agency! Bring your City leaders!
 
John Johnson
President, CEO of J2 Marketing
Seattle, Washington

One of America's most sought after marketing and branding experts, Jon Johnson will provide ground breaking information that your agency can put into action tomorrow. This dynamic speaker takes your through the branding experience like no one else in America!
 
Neelay Bhatt
Pros Consulting
Indianapolis, Indiana

Neelay Bhatt’s career has taken him through three continents and includes experiences with Disney and the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics and Paralympics Games, besides several years of consulting. As a Senior Manager at PROS, he has served as project manager or lead consultant on over 45 business and marketing plans, master plans, strategic plans, needs assessments and over the past several years.
 
Karon Badalamenti
Principal, Green Play
Lafayette, CO

Karon is a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional who brings over 25 years of experience in special district and municipal government management to her clients. She joined GreenPlay as a Principal in 2004 and specializes in government and public sector planning, fiscal sustainability, operations management, and leadership development. Karon speaks and trains professionals nationally regarding planning processes, best practices and innovative tools, alternative funding, core services, and resource allocation, among other topics.
 

Christi McNeill
Emerging Media Strategy Specialist
Southwest Airlines

Christi McNeill serves as an online spokesperson for Southwest Airlines, the nation’s largest airline in terms of domestic Customers boarded. Christi specializes in Emerging and Social Media strategy. In addition to her online media relations duties, Christi works as the "voice" behind the Southwest Airlines Twitter account (@Southwestair) and Facebook account (www.facebook.com/southwest). Christi also serves as a moderator and blogger on Nuts About Southwest (www.blogsouthwest.com). In 2009, Christi was honored with a PR People Award for "Tweeter of the Year." A Fort Worth native, Christi graduated from Texas Christian University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism.

 
Sue Black
Director of Parks and Recreation
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
One of America’s most innovative big city leaders and NRPA Gold Medal winner, Sue is one of the most decorated parks and recreation professionals in America. This dynamo will tell the Milwaukee County story and how branding their Gold Medal win has been at the paramount, including how elected others have jumped on the bandwagon.
 
Rod Tarullo
Director of Parks and Recreation
Golden, Colorado
A 2010 National Recreation and Parks Association Gold Medal winner, Rod is one of America’s most creative and progressive Parks and Recreation stories. Rod will share "The Golden" story, and how marketing and branding are important for the perception and viability of their continued growth.
 
Fred Campos
Owner, Fun City Social Media
Euless, Texas
Fred Campos has 19 years in the banking software marketing business. He has started and sold two software companies in remittance processing. Today, he owns a social media company, Fun City Social Media that specializes in "bringing clients to your fun stuff." His clientele ranges from General Motors, to local restaurants. Through a combination of Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, iPhone apps, and even websites and blogs, Fred trains clients on how to use social media effectively.
He has spoken, educated and entertained at more than 55 tradeshows and conferences in the last three years.
 
Simon Salt
Founder & CEO, IncSlingers
Dallas, Texas

Simon is the founder and CEO of IncSlingers. He is also an Author, Writer & Blogger. He has written online for Mashable.com and for Chris Brogan’s Dad-O-Matic.com as well as other high profile blogs. His articles have appeared in publications as diverse as the American Marketing Association News (the national magazine for the American Marketing Association) and Austin Realtor (the publication of the Austin Board of Realtors). Simon is a recognized national speaker on the topic of Social Media. His book on Social Location Marketing was published by Pearson publications in February 2011. He is a member of the Executive Advisory Board for MomentFeed - A Location Engagement Analytics company.
 
Tom Hart
City Manager
City of Grand Prairie, Texas

Tom Hart has served as Grand Prairie City Manager since 1999. Prior to that, Hart was Assistant City Manager and later City Manager in Euless for 16 years. He was one of the youngest City Managers in the history of Texas when he served as City Manager in The Colony from 1978-1981.Known for his attention to world class customer service and innovative management style, Hart created the city’s popular and successful mission to “create Raving Fans by delivering World Class Service.
 

Amy Sprinkles
Communications & Marketing Director
City of Grand Prairie, Texas

Amy manages the city’s marketing, public information, advertising, cable, tourism and historic preservation functions. She oversees a staff of 8 and a budget of $1.5 million. During her tenure in Grand Prairie, her office has won more than 50 national and state awards for their work, often in partnership with Parks, Police, Public Works, Recycling, Streets and other city departments. Amy came to Grand Prairie in 1992 from Phoenix, Arizona, where she worked in public relations and marketing for the city of Phoenix, a public relations agency and a bank. She has a bachelors and masters in business administration from Arizona State University.

 

...with more to come! Check back soon, or sign up for our e-mail updates to be the first to hear about schedule information and special offers and more!

 


Click here for Registration & Pricing


Due to an overwhelming response, BRAND-AID has a new location:

Ruthe Jackson Center
3113 S. Carrier Pkwy. | Grand Prairie, Texas 75052


 
View Larger Map

 


How to register:

1) Download the registration form here.

2) Complete one form per person attending. Multiple forms may be
submitted together with only one form containing the payment
information and total payment amount.

3) Submit form to The City of Grand Prairie by any of the following
methods:

Scan and email to: fmsmith@gptx.org (subject: Brand-Aid)

Fax to: 972-237-8267 (attn: Brand-Aid)

Mail to: Brand-Aid Marketing & Promotions Conference
Grand Prairie Parks & Recreation
PO Box 534045
Grand Prairie, Texas 75054

Registration Pricing
TRAPS Member*
$75
Non-Member
$85
Student*
(Parks & Recreation major/minor)
$25
*Proof of TRAPS membership or student enrollment status may be required.

What's included:

  • Two days of World Class Presenters, January 25 and 26, 2012
  • Transportation provided to & from DFW International or Dallas Love Field airports
  • Transportation provided between Hyatt Place Grand Prairie and Conference on both days
  • Continental Breakfast and Lunch provided both days
  • Admission to the Evening Social Event which includes Food, Beverages, and lots of FUN!
  • Much more!

Please sign up for our e-mail updates to be the first to hear about schedule updates, special offers and more!

Host Hotel - Hyatt Place in Grand Prairie:

Hyatt Place in Grand Prairie is offering a $95 rate for registered Brand-Aid attendants. Guests will receive that rate if booked by Friday, January 13. Tell them when upon booking that you are with the Brand- Aid conference to get the discounted rate. Normal rates that week are $129 per room.

The Hyatt Place offers many services and amenities to their guests:

  • Complimentary WI-FI throughout the hotel
  • Complimentary continental breakfast
  • Freshly prepared food available 24/7
  • Complimentary Airport Shuttle
  • Pool, spa and exercise facility
  • Starbucks coffee, wine and beer served in Bakery Cafe
  • 42" flat panel HDTV with computer laptop and game console accessibility.
  • Business Center
  • Hyatt Gold Passport points

For more information or to make your room reservation, please call (972) 988-6800 or visit the hotel website.

 


For more information about the Conference:

Gary Packan City of Arlington PARD 817-459-5496 email
Kelly Eddlemon City of Grand Prairie PARD 972-237-8339 email
Bradley Kent City of Grand Prairie PARD 972-237-8355 email

For more information about the venue, please call The Summit at 972-237-4141.

Click here to sign up for BRAND-AID Updates and Special Offers!

 

 

 

 

 

Updated:
13-Feb-2012 2:33 PM