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Kicking Off the ARPA State Conference with a Full Casino Night in Orange Beach, Alabama

  • Feb 3
  • 5 min read

🎲 Key Takeaways

  • The Alabama Recreation and Parks Association (ARPA) successfully kicked off its 2026 State Conference in Orange Beach with a full casino night designed to welcome, connect, and energize attendees from across Alabama.

  • Hosting a casino night on the first day of the conference helped ARPA create an immediate sense of community, giving parks and recreation professionals an easy, relaxed way to network before educational sessions began.

  • The full casino setup including blackjack, craps, roulette, Texas Hold’em, and three card poker provided interactive entertainment that encouraged conversation and engagement without the pressure of formal networking.

  • Pairing the casino games with a Casino DJ from Feel The Beat Entertainment kept the atmosphere lively while still allowing attendees to connect and unwind after travel and registration.

  • By choosing the Orange Beach Event Center, ARPA leveraged a spacious, coastal venue that supported both professional conference programming and a fun, memorable kickoff experience for its members.




casino night in orange beach alabama

When hundreds of parks and recreation professionals from across Alabama gathered in Orange Beach for the Alabama Recreation and Parks Association (ARPA) State Conference, the energy was already high. This annual conference is known for bringing together leaders, students, and community advocates who are passionate about strengthening parks, programs, and public spaces across the state. To kick off three days of education, networking, and inspiration, ARPA opened the conference with something fun, social, and engaging...a full casino night experience at the Orange Beach Event Center.


BAMA Casino Company was proud to be part of the opening night on February 1, 2026, helping ARPA set the tone for a conference that balanced professional development with genuine connection and fun.




About the Alabama Recreation and Parks Association (ARPA)



The Alabama Recreation and Parks Association is a statewide organization dedicated to supporting recreation and parks professionals through education, advocacy, and networking. ARPA plays a critical role in strengthening Alabama communities by investing in people who manage parks, recreation programs, athletics, and public spaces across the state.


You can learn more about ARPA and their ongoing work at https://arpaonline.org.


Their annual State Conference is one of the most anticipated events on the calendar — a space where professionals come together to learn from industry experts, explore new ideas, connect with vendors, and celebrate the impact of parks and recreation throughout Alabama.




The ARPA State Conference in Orange Beach




casino night at orange beach event center

The 2026 ARPA State Conference took place from February 1–3, 2026, at the Orange Beach Event Center in Orange Beach, Alabama. The Gulf Coast setting added to the relaxed but professional vibe of the event, making it the perfect backdrop for networking and collaboration.


Attendees enjoyed:


  • Educational sessions led by industry experts

  • Exhibitor showcases featuring new products and innovations

  • Networking with peers and vendors from across the state

  • Special social events along the Gulf Coast



The opening night casino event served as the official kickoff, giving attendees a chance to unwind, connect, and ease into the conference in a fun, low-pressure environment.




A Full Casino Night to Kick Off the Conference



For the opening night, BAMA Casino Company provided a full casino setup, transforming the Orange Beach Event Center into a lively casino-style environment that immediately drew people in.


The casino games included:


  • Blackjack

  • Craps

  • Roulette

  • Texas Hold’em

  • Three Card Poker



To complete the experience, we also provided a Casino DJ from Feel The Beat Entertainment (https://feelthebeat.com), keeping the energy up throughout the night while still allowing for conversation and networking.


The result was a packed room filled with laughter, friendly competition, and conversations happening naturally around the tables...exactly what you want on the first night of a multi-day conference.


Check out this short video from the event!


Why a Casino Night Works So Well for Conferences



Adding a casino night to a conference kickoff isn’t just about entertainment, it’s a strategic way to bring people together. Casino games are interactive, easy to learn, and designed to get people talking. Guests don’t need prior experience, and because it’s not real gambling, everyone can relax and enjoy the moment.


Industry experts consistently highlight the importance of social engagement at conferences. According to this Eventbrite article on conference networking ideas, interactive activities help attendees build stronger connections early on:


Similarly, BizBash notes that experiential entertainment, like casino games, encourages organic networking and keeps attendees engaged longer:


Casino nights also give attendees something to look forward to at the end of the day, helping boost attendance and participation. As Social Tables explains, well-planned social events improve overall conference satisfaction:


For ARPA, the casino night worked perfectly as an icebreaker — bringing together professionals from different cities, departments, and backgrounds in a way that felt natural and fun.




The Venue: Orange Beach Event Center



The Orange Beach Event Center provided an ideal setting for this kickoff event. With its spacious layout and coastal location, the venue easily accommodated the casino tables, DJ setup, and flow of guests moving between games and conversations.


Located at 4671 Wharf Parkway West, Orange Beach, AL 36561, the venue is a popular choice for conferences and large gatherings along the Gulf Coast. Its proximity to hotels, restaurants, and The Wharf made it especially convenient for conference attendees staying nearby.




A Strong Start to a Meaningful Conference



The opening night casino event set the tone for the entire ARPA State Conference. It created an atmosphere that was welcoming, social, and energized, helping attendees start the conference feeling connected and engaged.


From the professional casino dealers to the game variety and music, the night delivered exactly what a conference kickoff should: a chance to relax, connect, and enjoy the moment before diving into days of learning and collaboration.




Planning a Conference or Corporate Casino Night in Orange Beach or anywhere in Alabama?



If you’re planning a conference, corporate event, or association gathering in Orange Beach, Birmingham, Huntsville, or anywhere in Alabama, a casino night is a proven way to boost engagement and bring people together.


BAMA Casino Company specializes in casino nights for:


  • Conferences and conventions

  • Corporate events

  • Fundraisers

  • Association meetings

  • Private and milestone celebrations



Learn more or start planning your event at https://www.bamacasinocompany.com or contact us directly through our website.

Not Real Gambling, But Real Fun!


Read about some of our recent events below:



danny brewer

Danny Brewer, President and CEO of Feel The Beat Entertainment and owner of BAMA Casino Company, brings over 30 years of experience in entertainment. He oversees teams that specialize in premium casino entertainment and top-tier customer service. His ventures, including Feel The Beat Entertainment and Cool Shots Photo Booth, cater to a diverse array of events from corporate to private parties. Renowned in the industry, Brewer is a speaker at trade shows and sets high standards for clients across various scales.



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