The Parks Division of the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks played host to the 2006 National Association of State Park Directors Annual Conference, which was held September 4th through the 8th 2006 at the Hyatt Regency in Wichita. The convention was the first public debut of the Virginia State Park's Information Stations, currently being developed through a unique partnership with Imperial Multimedia of Baraboo Wisconsin and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, the hosts of next year's NASPD Conference. This year's conference attendees included 47 of the 50 state park directors plus representatives from the National Park Service, Canada and Puerto Rico.
The business of the convention was focused on funding, grants, water and land issues, legislative matters, new technologies, interpretive strategies, and issues that are important to the directors and parks system as a whole. Providing information were representatives from the Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, National Park Service, National Forest service, Canadian Parks Council and National Association of State Outdoor Recreation Liaison Office. In addition, a select group of industry leaders including Imperial Multimedia, were invited to participate in the sessions and showcase their products or services during the conference.
One of the highlights of this year's conference was the Virginia State Park's Information Stations, a new interactive visitor information system being developed by Imperial Multimedia of Baraboo Wisconsin. The Virginia State Parks Interpretive Information System uses outdoor, weather and vandal resistant, touch screen, interactive information kiosks to provide park guests with state park and local attractions information around the clock. The new system will be installed in 31 state parks by Spring 2007. The proprietary information program builds on a system that has been successfully used in the Wisconsin State Park system.
Response to the Information Stations that Imperial developed exclusively for Virginia State Parks was very enthusiastic. The Interpretive Information System includes GPS based trail information, wildlife spotting guides, in-depth information on park amenities, printable guides and maps, program descriptions, schedules and more. The stations will also provide interactive virtual tours of every trail in each of the thirty-one parks selected for the project.
Many of the conference attendees expressed interest in engaging Imperial Multimedia to develop similar programs in their home states or provinces. In addition to state park systems many who attended the conference were interested in placing Information Stations in Welcome Centers, State and National Forests, and other venues.
One of the features of the Information Stations is the access to information about sponsors, local and regional environmental organizations, and area businesses that support tourism and recreation. "Imperial Multimedia and the Commonwealth of Virginia strongly believe in promoting tourism and recreation based economic development in and around the state parks," said Lawrence Fisher, Director of Experience Development for Imperial Multimedia. "As a result of this belief, the project has been developed to create opportunities for local organizations to participate with the option of adding enhanced content describing their business or service." By becoming an advertiser or sponsor participating organizations help support the development and sustainability of the Virginia State Parks and the Interpretive Information System.
Businesses and service providers can go to the Imperial Multimedia website, www.imperialmultimedia.com,/vaparks to find out how to participate in the project. The website features expanded information about the project; a sample of the type of information that will be available; and additional opportunities for sponsorship and special interest partners.
Headquartered in Baraboo Wisconsin, Imperial Multimedia is a full service company specializing in delivering custom interpretive and information solutions in public places. The firm's work includes state, local and national parks; museums and historical sites; mass-market and specialty retail; theme parks and destination resorts; public transportation; and more.
For more information on creating an Interpretive Information System for your state or project, or to discover how you may become a sponsor or advertiser in the Virginia State Park Information Stations, go to the Imperial Multimedia website at www.imperialmultimedia.com or call toll-free, 1-877-868-2500.
