IPEMA E-Newsletter – Winter 2024

Winter 2024 E-Newsletter

Plan to Attend IPEMA's 2024 Membership Meeting!

IPEMA’s Annual Membership Meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the iconic Fels Planetarium at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We will eat, drink, and network “under the stars” at this visually stunning planetarium. This captivating immersive experience will be a real highlight to ASTM's May Committee Week.

There is no cost for members to attend the Annual Membership Meeting. RSVP now to let us know you will join us in the City of Brotherly Love on May 7. Click here to let us know you will attend.

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Our Equipment Certification and Surfacing Certification Committees will meet at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, 1201 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107.

Please add these important dates to your calendar:

Equipment Certification Committee Monday, May 6 at 2:00 p.m.

Surfacing Certification Committee Wednesday, May 8 at 1:00 p.m.

IPEMA E-Newsletter - Winter 2024

Message From the President Brad Pittam, IPEMA President

Let’s Stay Connected Plans are underway for IPEMA’s 2024 Membership Meeting. The lead story on the front cover gives you all the details. I want to add that this gathering is more than just a meeting.

It's a celebration of our collective achievements, a platform for sharing knowledge and insights, as well as an opportunity to strengthen the bonds within our association.

This get together lets us reflect on IPEMA’s milestones and accomplishments of the past year, look forward to the work before us, and celebrate the growth and success stories within our dynamic community. Yes, we are competitors in the marketplace, but during this meeting it is time to remember how we all contribute to an amazing industry.

As we enter the new year, I want to encourage all our members to showcase their achievements through IPEMA throughout the year! We would like to stay connected and keep in touch – perhaps even be star struck by our collective accomplishments! Let’s continue to use our newsletter to highlight our members. Do you have a cool or innovative project to share? Is there an important milestone or achievement your company is celebrating, or do you have an employee who is making an outstanding contribution to their community (work related or not)? Share your stories. It keeps us connected and inspires all of us.

Finally, I would like to ask you to connect with us through volunteering with IPEMA. There are big and small ways to contribute. I speak from experience that my time working with IPEMA opened doors to new opportunities, broadened my networks, and enhanced my professional and personal growth. Feel free to reach out to me or our Executive Director, Denise Calabrese, to see how you can get connected as an IPEMA volunteer.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment.

Articles Wanted for IPEMA e-newsletter

Welcome, New Members!

Marek LLC DBA Nature's Earth of Memphis Memphis, Tenn.

IPEMA is always looking for articles for this newsletter to keep its content relevant for our members. Articles should range from 200 to 500 words, and photos are welcome. Articles can be about a unique project you’ve been involved with, your company’s community involvement, an industry hot topic, an honor or award—really, anything you think your fellow IPEMA members would want to read about.

Pro Services General Contractors San Diego, Calif.

Unity Creations, Ltd. Saugerties, N.Y.

Email articles to IPEMAnewsletter@gmail.com.

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IPEMA E-Newsletter - Winter 2024

Webinar Recap: Play Types & Personalities The importance of play in our personal and professional lives cannot be emphasized enough. In a recent IPEMA webinar, Dr. Stuart Brown and Tom Norquist shed light on how play can profoundly impact our well-being and productivity. This webinar was brought to IPEMA members free of charge through IPEMA’s partnership with the National Institute for Play.

Dr. Brown discussed the various types of play individuals engage in as defined in Robert Fagen’s 1981 book Animal Play Behavior. These types include social play, rough & tumble play, ritual play (such as attending birthday parties), pretend play, narrative play (telling stories), and fantasy play. It encourages readers to reflect on their past experiences with play and consider which types of play are most important to them. The text suggests that there are many different ways to engage in play and that exploring these different types of play can benefit individuals throughout their lifetime.

Dr. Brown is the founder of the National Institute for Play and has spent over 30 years researching and studying the effects of play on human behavior. He notes that play is not just a frivolous activity but an essential part of human development. Playful activities are necessary for children's healthy emotional, cognitive, and social development, and they continue to be critical throughout our lives.

Another interesting point made was the importance of unstructured play. Unstructured play allows us to explore our creativity and imagination without any constraints. It will enable us to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from them. This type of play is essential for personal growth and development and should be encouraged in children and adults.

In addition to the benefits of play, the webinar also touched on the negative consequences of not prioritizing play in our lives. Dr. Brown shared research that showed a correlation between the lack of play in childhood and a higher risk of criminal behavior in adulthood. This highlights the importance of play in shaping our behavior and decision-making skills from a young age.

Tom Norquist, a play expert and founder of Playful Journey, echoed Dr. Brown's sentiments, emphasizing that play is not just for children but also adults. He stated that play is essential for adults as it helps us to relieve stress, improve our mood, and increase our creativity.

“If you're a latent joker but are afraid to handle nonsense during the day, give that up, Dr. Brown said. “Give a little nonsense some room because that's part of who we are and part of what fulfills us as humans.”

One of the most important takeaways from this webinar was that play is not just a luxury but a necessity. When we prioritize play in our lives, we see vast improvements in our overall well-being, including increased happiness, better relationships, and improved cognitive function.

Play is a vital life activity that helps children discover the natural world and imagine.

Overall, the webinar emphasized the importance of play in all aspects of our lives. Whether it's for personal growth, improved relationships, or increased productivity in the workplace, play is an essential part of our well-being. It's important to make time for play in our busy lives and prioritize it just as we do with other important activities.

Play also has a profound impact on our productivity in the workplace. According to Dr. Brown, organizations prioritizing play in the workplace see increased productivity, improved employee engagement, and reduced turnover rates. Playful activities like team-building exercises, brainstorming sessions, and game-based learning can positively impact workplace culture and productivity.

There is no fee to view the webinars produced by the National Institute for Play for IPEMA. Follow these links to watch the webinars.

Wired for Play!

Play Types and Personalities 3

IPEMA E-Newsletter - Winter 2024

Committee Updates What’s New with IPEMA? Winter is here! As we ring in the new year and focus on new goals and resolutions for 2024, the IPEMA Marketing Committee has some big ideas and projects in store. As always, we continue to promote the benefits of certification and IPEMA membership and play through our social media channels – Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. But that’s not all. We’re also ramping up our work with marketing committee members and industry experts to identify and share key consumer play and industry trends to position IPEMA as the forefront experts in the certification and playground industries. Reach out to Brad Pittam, Tom Norquist, or Havas Red to learn more about how you can share your expertise on playground industry trends you see!

In case you missed it, IPEMA recently launched its very own industry blog geared towards industry professionals. This quarterly blog is posted on IPEMA’s website and shared on social channels. We’re excited to share a new blog post with everyone soon!

The Latest from Our Blogs Don’t Get Spooked: 4 Creative Ideas for Halloween Fun October 10, 2023

The Halloween season fosters a sense of community by bringing people together for various activities and allows parents and children to express their creativity through costume design and crafts. The spooky season is a great way to connect with children and enable them to get in touch with the four main types of play: physical play, constructive play, fantasy play and games with rules. Read up on our recent blog, where we shared four creative ideas for Halloween family fun.

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IPEMA and Voice of Play: In the News Check out some of our recent IPEMA and Voice of Play “In the News” articles and mentions. We also have several upcoming articles in publications such as Manufacturing in Focus, Pennsylvania Recreation & Park Society and Recreation Management.

• Landscape Architect A Conversation with IPEMA In the August issue of Landscape Architect, IPEMA President Brad Pittam discussed the importance of IPEMA certification and membership, different trends in playground design, and ideas for creating themed playgrounds. Be sure to read more on Brad’s Q&A in Landscape Architect.

• Playground Professionals 3 Overlooked Benefits to Building a Playground in Your Community In an excellent piece with Playground Professionals, IPEMA President Brad Pittam shared his thoughts on the overlooked benefits of building a playground in local communities. Read more about Brad’s thoughts in this recent article for Playground Professionals.

• Recreation Management Catch the Imagination IPEMA’s very own President, Brad Pittam, was featured in Recreation Management regarding the importance of imaginative, themed playgrounds in communities. Be sure to check out the article for more insight on themed playgrounds.

IPEMA E-Newsletter - Winter 2024

Let’s Get Social

Come Play With Us Online!

We’re always in the process of collecting quality photographs for Instagram and relevant business/industry content for LinkedIn to populate our pages, and we’d love your help. As always, reach out to Red Havas with anything you’d like to see featured.

Thank you in advance!

While you’re at it, be sure to follow and engage with all our current social channels! Have news to share or want to showcase a great playground? Tag us so we can repost:

The “Voice of Play” website is IPEMA’s effort to educate the general public, parents, teachers and related organizations and community groups about the various benefits of play. The site contains information on the following:

Instagram: @voiceofplay Facebook: facebook.com/voiceofplay Facebook Group: Voice of Play: Play Tribe LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/ipema/

Benefits of Play - Playground Safety Science of Play - Downloadable Resources

We Want to Promote You!

Newsroom Blogs and Information You can reach the Voice of Play through IPEMA’s website at ipema.org or at voiceofplay.org.

Check it out!

Share Your Story!

We want to hear what you’re doing – let’s collaborate!

We’re always looking for amazing content from the IPEMA membership to share, whether it’s for a blog or social post, or pitching media. Share news, photos, and updates with Red Havas by emailing katherine.kostiuk@redhavas.com.

Marketing & PR Committee We’re looking for new members to serve on the Marketing & PR Committee, which is responsible for oversight of the IPEMA newsletter, media relations, website, social media and any other communication vehicles utilized to promote the association, its programs and membership.

The committee also oversees the Voice of Play initiative and works closely with the organization’s PR agency.

Members of the committee are asked to participate in quarterly committee calls, and to periodically assist with input and review of articles, interviews and releases with industry media. If you have interest in applying, download the form here.

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IPEMA E-Newsletter - Winter 2024

Member Profile

Bill Stafford

President of FlexGround This month, we interviewed Bill Stafford, President of FlexGround. They are award-winning, IPEMA certified experts who can create or update playground surfacing, aquatic parks, splash pads, athletic courts, and recreational trails.

Q: How long have you worked in the industry?

A: I have been in the industry for 20 years.

Q: Tell us about your business, customers, etc., and what you do in your current position.

Q: What’s been a key to your success in this

A: We led the resolution in recreation and safety

industry over the years?

surfacing and I believe we are the premier recreational surfacing company in the western United States.

We produced the latest trend in multi-level and 3D playgrounds. I work very closely with dealers in the industry, like Exerplay, AZ Recreational Design and Play It Safe.

A: Intensive customer service and attention to

detail during the installation process. Our goal is to make it a painless and seamless process for our customers.

Q: What is a project that you’ve done that you’re

We are a premier rubber playground surfacing company providing colorful, design-rich safety surfacing.

especially proud of, and why?

A: Gilbert Regional Park because it required

We have a singular focus, which is to provide innovative and high-quality rubber and synthetic turf surfacing options installed by a knowledgeable and caring staff, backed by unparalleled customer service.

detailed engineering in the application process. The slopes and angles with this project are as steep as I have ever seen. They call it the mountain for good reason.

Q: Have you faced any industry-related challenges lately,

Q: How long have you been a member of IPEMA, and

and what have you done to overcome them?

what are the biggest benefits of membership?

A: Material prices increase with the supply chain issues

A: FlexGround has been an IPEMA member for

and demand for polyurethane. We absorbed some of the increased cost, but most of our customers understand that this is a global issue and rely on our established relationships to trust that we are doing everything we can to keep the cost down.

16 years, and the biggest benefits of being a member are getting the certified products that are required to do business with public agencies. The certification process creates trust in the product, which in turn translates to the company.

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IPEMA E-Newsletter - Winter 2024

Overcoming Fear and Uncertainty

by Jeff Tippett

What holds you back?

Is it fear? You might be afraid to embrace new technology, because you’re set in the old ways. Or maybe it’s uncertainty; uncertainty that you can handle the challenges ahead, or that the direction you’re heading is the right one.

I understand that.

Arianna Huffington puts it well: “We need to accept that we won’t always make the right decisions, that we’ll screw up royally sometimes — understanding that failure is not the opposite of success, it’s part of success.”

In my presentations, I emphasize to audiences that all change will be preceded by a mindset shift. Consider that all the results you are getting now are because of your current thinking. If you want to improve outcomes and get the results you deserve, you have to begin with a mindset shift.

First, before we tackle how to overcome fear, we should park for a second to define it. Fear is one of those words we toss around flippantly, but what does it really mean?

Fear is a reaction to a threat. Now, of course, if you see a bear in your yard one night and it starts sprinting toward you, we understand that sort of primal, fight or flight fear; “I need to run if I want to see tomorrow.” Another way to look at fear is in a more abstract way. Do you fear the unknown? It’s not that you know there is a bear in your yard, but what if you saw a story about it on the news one morning, and then had to go outside while it’s still dark? You may be afraid because you perceive a threat, even if one isn’t there.

Continued on next page...

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IPEMA E-Newsletter - Winter 2024

So, sometimes, when we think about starting new things, or embracing new technology, fear can set in.

We’re not afraid of laptops or smartphones, but rather we are (or were) uncomfortable with the unknown. It’s not a defect, it’s human nature.

Does this mean we just live with fear, and have no recourse in overcoming it? No! There are plenty of solutions to overcome fear.

The first step is really just understanding it. What is it that leaves you uneasy? Uncertainty plays a big role in fear, just because we do not know the outcome of something we’ve yet to try. But taking time to consider the path you’ve chosen, the tools you’re using and how they differ from what you have now is important.

In all things, it is better to analyze and consider the environment and how best to proceed. You don’t get any points for being the first one in, and in the last section we discussed how only a small number of the population are innovators. Taking time to survey the landscape will pay dividends before you invest everything in a risky idea.

Here’s another idea: Learn from others. While other people try new technology, pay attention to the results.

Ask your peers and others in the same space as you what they’re using, and how they are seeing either success or difficulties with adapting to new technology.

One example of this is the cloud. At first, it may have seemed daunting to consider having all of your important files online and off your hard drive. Services like Dropbox and Google Drive make it easy for us to clean up the icons from our desktop, but it can still cause concern when you don’t see important documents right in front of you and safely stored in your folders.

But here is a chance for us to implement another tip: Practice. Just the other day, I gave a presentation and workshop to an association of nurses. Right as I was set to begin my slideshow, the file didn’t work. I panicked, for a moment, but then remembered that I had prepared for this exact problem. When I present, I always have a copy of the presentation on Google Drive, my laptop and on a flash drive. Hope for the best, but plan for the worst.

There, too, is another way to embrace change. Just because you are adapting to new technology, it doesn’t mean you have to discard all of the old ways. In fact, it’s better to ease into new things while you still have firm footing in the processes that make you comfortable. You can learn new, exciting ways to lead through technological innovations without betting the farm on a new process that isn’t tried and true.

As a leader, you may encourage the adoption of new material, but you might not be the one using it every day. It is important to listen to those who work around you to ensure they are making progress with new tech, and that their concerns are heard and addressed. It isn’t enough to buy new software and tell your team to figure it out; leaders are available to their teams and willing to lend an ear to correct course if needed.

“Do the best you can until you know better.

Then, when you know better, do better.”

Maya Angelou We understand what fear is now, and that there are a few things to keep in mind when moving forward with new technology. But how exactly can we conquer fear? Psychology Today has a great list of four steps to build confidence and conquer your fears, written by Ellen Hendriksen, Ph.D.:

1. Let the Movie Play Out In this tip, Hendriksen suggests that we consider the implications of an action. What happens if you do x or y?

Our mind tends to fixate on the worst possible outcome, and that’s natural. But if you continue “watching the movie,” what is the end? If you can look past the immediate obstacles, and play it out in your mind, you will often find that the results really aren’t as bad as you thought. It’s all about getting over the hump of doubt.

2. Find the Will This is all about mindset. If you see yourself overcoming a challenge or fear, and know you can do it, half the battle is already won.

3. Write it Down, Then Prove it Wrong Write what you’re afraid of, rebut the fear, consider all the options. You’ll see you’re stronger than the fear holding you back.

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IPEMA E-Newsletter - Winter 2024

Read All About It...

4. Break Your Fear Into Snack-Sized Pieces As I said in #2, it’s about mindset. A lot of issues arise just because a topic seems too big to tackle, but breaking it down into smaller sizes makes even the largest burden manageable. With these in mind, take a quick analysis of yourself and the problem you face: 1. What’s the best that could happen?

2. What’s the worst that could happen?

3. Could you live with the worst that could happen with the possibility of the best that could happen?

If the answer to number three is yes, then it’s time to move. Your mind is holding you back.

We want to spread the word about IPEMA’s efforts and our industry – and you can help!

So, now that we have the tools needed to move things forward, fear and uncertainty won’t hold you back.

About the Author:

Jeff Tippett

Provide IPEMA with a list of your employees’ emails, and we will send the newsletter each quarter directly to them!

Jeff Tippett is the international best-selling author of two books, Pixels Are the New Ink and Unleashing Your Superpower: Why Persuasive Communication is the Only Force You Will Ever Need.

Speaking to international audiences through keynotes and seminars, Jeff helps attendees increase their effectiveness, gives them powerful tools to reach their goals, and empowers attendees to positively impact and grow their organizations or businesses.

Send your lists to commassoc@ipema.org.

It’s a great way to be “in the know”!

In 2014, Jeff founded Targeted Persuasion, an award-winning public affairs + communications firm. He has worked with renowned brands like Airbnb, The National Restaurant Association, The League of Women Voters, The League of Conservation Voters, plus others. Other industry experts have validated Jeff’s work with numerous awards including the prestigious The American Advertising Award.

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Jeff is the host of Victory by Association with Jeff Tippett, a podcast that shares the victories of association executives with the world, highlighting the great work done across this country every day.

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Jefftippett.com

VictoryByAssociation.com 9

IPEMA E-Newsletter - Winter 2024

Board of Directors President Brad Pittam

KOMPAN 605 W. Howard Lane Austin, TX 78753 P: (312) 399‐1910 brapit@kompan.com

President-Elect Mike Sutton

PlayPower 1145 Slippery Rock Road Grove City, PA 16127 P: (724) 992‐8707 Mike.sutton@playpower.com

Treasurer Randy Watermiller

Landscape Structures, Inc. 601 Seventh Street South PO Box 198 Delano, MN 55328 P: (763) 972‐3391 RandyWatermiller@playlsi.com

Immediate Past President Lloyd Reese Play & Park Structures 544 Chestnut Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 P: (423) 356‐1871 lloyd.reese@playcore.com

IPEMA Legal Counsel Milton Chappell 10321 Royal Road Silver Spring, MD 20903 P: (703) 770‐3329 mlc@nrtw.org

Director – Member-at-Large Tom Fitzpatrick Landscape Structures, Inc. 601 Seventh Street South PO Box 198 Delano, MN 55328 P: (763) 972‐5277 TomFitzpatrick@playlsi.com

Director – Member-at-Large Scott Liebelt BCI Burke Co., LLC 660 Van Dyne Road Fond Du Lac, WI 54936 P: (920) 921‐9220 sliebelt@bciburke.com

www.ipema.org

www.voiceofplay.org

Director – Member-at-large Rob Lockhart Dynamo Playgrounds 661 County Road 9 Plantagenet, ON K0B1L0 P: (613) 446‐0030 rob@dynamoplaygrounds.com

Director – Member-at-large Bill Stafford Flexground 2140 East Cedar Street Tempe, AZ 85281 P: (602) 954‐0000 bill@flexground.com

Contact Us: International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association 2207 Forest Hills Drive Harrisburg, PA 17112 Phone: 717-238-1744 Fax: 717-238-9985 Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Eastern Time

Certification Chair – Equipment Mark Koch

Staff Contacts:

Certification Chair – Surfacing Mike Sebastian

Director of Communications Michelle Keyser communications@ipema.org

Blue Imp Recreational Products 766 14th Street SW Medicine Hat, AB, T1A 4V7 CANADA P: (780) 451‐4182 F: (403) 529‐0851 mark@blueimp.com

IMC Outdoor Living 2280 Schuetz Road, Suite 201 St. Louis, MO 63146 P: (866) 936‐8524 mike.sebastian@imcoutdoorliving.com

Executive Director: Denise Calabrese, CAE info@ipema.org

IPEMA’s staff wants you to get the most out of your experience with IPEMA. We are available to serve you, so please do not hesitate to contact staff with any question or concern that you may have. For a full staff listing, please click here.

Core Values of IPEMA: Uphold consistency of compliance Demonstrate professionalism and integrity

Material in this e-newsletter may be republished with permission from IPEMA and with proper line credit. Mention of commercial products in this publication is solely for information purposes, and endorsement is not intended by IPEMA. Material does not directly reflect the opinions or beliefs of the Board or staff.

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