2026 Southeastern State Parks Program Seminar
50th Anniversary

Where Crossroads Become Common Ground

Dates: Monday-Thursday, December 7-10, 2026

This year, Virginia State Parks has the immense privilege of hosting the 50th Southeastern State Parks Program Seminar in the Heart of Virginia, Farmville, VA.

SSPPS is an annual conference dedicated to the promotion and advancement of interpretive and educational opportunities by sharing ideas and field experiences. Each year, park staff gather to discuss new ideas, emerging trends, and discover the best the host state has to offer.

Registration: $250

Register Now

You may pay invoices by check or PayPal to the Friends of Pocahontas State Parks.

Agenda

Monday, December 7

• Registration and Welcome
• Virginia State Parks Interpretive Showcase

Tuesday, December 8

• State Showcases
• Building Relationships with Tribal Nations
• Virginia’s First International Dark Sky Park

Wednesday, December 9

• State Showcases
• Discover: CCC, Group Camp 7, and Caterpillar Club
• Incorporating Visitor Experience Planning in the Park Master Plan Process
• Virginia State Parks Sign Shop

Thursday, December 10

• Two lakes segregated become one park
• Tools for Accessible Programming
• Restoring an 1865 Landscape
• Birthplace of Robert Russa Moton
• Explore High Bridge

Closing banquet:

Celebrate all of the milestones of 2026.
Dress as your favorite historical figure!

America250 • SSPPS50 • DCR100 • VSP90

Site Visits

Lodging:

We have a block of rooms set aside at the Holiday Inn Express in Farmville. Additional rooms are available at the Hampton Inn next door, if needed.

The deadline for making reservations within our block is November 7.

Room rate: $110 plus tax — total $124.63 per room/night.

Individuals can call the hotel or use the link below to to reserve a room.

Agency representatives making reservations for more than one person can call the hotel or use the link, then email Tiffany Duffie at the hotel with names and rooms. tduffie@kalyanhospitality.com

Holiday Inn Express
404 Sunchase Blvd, Farmville, VA 23901
434-392-4040
Group Name: Southeastern State Parks Program Seminar
Group Block Code: SSR
Group Online Booking Link: Southeastern State Parks Program Seminar Room Block at Holiday Inn Express Farmville, Virginia
Cutoff Date: November 7, 2026

Questions? email: katherine.shepard@dcr.virginia.gov

 

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