The REC Net Research Symposium, organized by the Recreation Experience Community Network (REC Net), will provide educators and graduate students with an opportunity to present current research across recreation, tourism, hospitality, event planning, and experience design. The Research Symposium will take place on 15 November 2026 as part of the REC Net National Conference.

REC Net, formerly known as the Resort & Commercial Recreation Association, brings together academics, students, and professionals interested in recreation and experience-related fields. Its annual Research Symposium is designed to strengthen connections between academic research and professional practice while providing emerging and established researchers with a platform to share their work.

Although the broader REC Net National Conference places particular emphasis on recreation, hospitality, tourism, event planning, and experience design, the Research Symposium welcomes contributions from a wide range of related disciplines.

Research topics may include park and recreation management, administration and finance; outdoor recreation, natural resources and conservation; youth and family programs; community recreation; inclusive programming; sport programming and events; leisure behavior; and program evaluation and assessment. Research addressing evidence-informed professional practice is particularly encouraged.

The symposium welcomes not only applied studies with direct implications for professional practice but also theoretical, conceptual, and exploratory research that contributes to advancing knowledge in recreation, tourism, hospitality, leisure, events, and related fields.

Accepted presenters will share their research during the symposium, and their papers will be included in the published conference proceedings. Proposals are reviewed on a rolling basis, with submissions undergoing peer review upon receipt.

Conference at a Glance

• Event: REC Net Research Symposium
• Organizer: Recreation Experience Community Network (REC Net), formerly the Resort & Commercial Recreation Association
• Date: 15 November 2026
• Abstract Submission Deadline: 1 August 2026
• Final Paper Deadline: 1 November 2026
• Review Process: Peer review on a rolling basis
• Participants: Educators, graduate students, researchers, academics, and professionals
• Publication Opportunity: Accepted papers will be included in the published conference proceedings
• Main Focus: Recreation, tourism, hospitality, event planning, experience design, park and recreation management, outdoor recreation, natural resources and conservation, community recreation, sport and events, leisure behavior, program evaluation, and evidence-informed professional practice.