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Evaluation ViewAttendees 3

Bringing Modern Technology to Recreation: How Torrance Embraced Tech Trends to Re-Imagine Resident Offerings

Thursday, March 20, 2025
11:00 AM – 12:15 PM PST
Room:  Ballroom B 8
Earn 0.125 CEUs
Session Description: In 2025, our world looks way different than it did in 2015 much less 2001. Our worlds are personalized: Instagram knows exactly what we're shopping for and has already put the best option on top. TV streaming and food delivery options feel limitless — both of which we can have on our couch in minutes. When something goes wrong in an app, help is at my fingertips — there’s no need to call a 1-800 number and talk to a real human about it. 

In a rapidly evolving world, public spaces and recreation programming strive to keep up with the changing expectations of consumers. More aspirationally, technology should empower agencies to deliver more services, at a higher quality, than ever before.


Join us as we sit down with the City of Torrance’s Recreation Department, and the Co-Founder of Rec Technologies, to discuss how we can tap into modern technology trends to change the game for our residents and our staff. Trends we’ll discuss include:




  • Using the marketplace tools employed at Uber and Thumbtack to activate Torrance’s public tennis, golf, swimming pools with licensed instructors delivering affordable lessons and classes.



  • Deploying the personalization tactics of Instagram and TikTok to market the right programs and facilities to the right people, at the right time – automagically.



  • Optimizing your e-commerce experience like Airbnb and Amazon to ensure everyone gets a digital experience they’d recommend to a friend.



  • Leveraging OpenAI to give your staff superpowers - think automatically translated activity guides, in every language, and automatic rain identification and reschedules.





This session will provide real-world examples, based on the City of Torrance and Rec’s groundbreaking partnership focused on bringing a whole new suite of technology to Recreation. 


Attendees will walk away with actionable insights on how to assess the baseline digital experience in their parks department, and then identify areas where utilizing technology could deliver an even more incredible experience to their residents.

Learning Objectives:

  • Upon completion, participants will be able to identify key technology trends that can optimize public recreation spaces and services.
  • Upon completion, participants will be able to describe how personalization tactics can drive higher program participation and equitable access in parks and recreation.
  • Upon completion, participants will be able to implement AI-driven tools to streamline communication and service delivery in their parks and recreation departments.