Leaders from YMCA, JCC, community and recreation organizations are invited to view an interactive conversation grounded in national research—not assumptions.
As AI becomes part of everyday work, recreation leaders are being asked to respond thoughtfully while balancing mission, trust, and staff capacity. To understand what’s realistic, we conducted a national study examining AI use, comfort, and expectations across the recreation field.
Featuring Greg Hatzisavvas, COO at the Westfield Area YMCA, we discuss what the data reveals: strong alignment in some areas, meaningful hesitation in others, and clear signals about where leaders should move carefully—and where they can move with confidence. The focus isn’t on tools. It’s on people, readiness, and responsible decision-making.
Using the data as a guide, you’ll walk away with insight into:
- Where AI is already showing up in day-to-day recreation work
- Shared priorities around convenience, accessibility, and efficiency
- Gaps between participant expectations and staff comfort
- Low-risk, high-value opportunities to test without overwhelming teams
- How to frame AI conversations in ways that build trust and transparency
Designed as a discussion rather than a presentation, this session creates space for peer insight, reflection, and practical takeaways. You’ll leave with clearer language, stronger context, and evidence to support balanced, mission-aligned decisions about AI.
This is not a session about selling AI. It’s an honest look at where the recreation field stands today—and what comes next.
Meet the Speakers
Andrew Novosad
Product Marketing Manager
Andrew Novosad is a Product Marketing Manager at Amilia, where he leverages customer and market insights to drive product strategy and growth. With a background in Ecommerce and payments, Andrew excels at transforming customer needs into intuitive solutions. His expertise lies in helping organizations identify the right metrics to track in order to spot trends, improve member engagement, and make forward-looking decisions. At Amilia, Andrew is committed to helping member-based organizations leverage data to deliver better member experiences.
Inès Abidoune
Product Marketing Manager
With over five years in the tech industry, Inès Abidoune brings a strategic and analytical perspective to product marketing. Her expertise spans accounting, integrated workplace management systems (IWMS), and cybersecurity, enabling her to translate complex business challenges into clear, compelling value.At Amilia, Inès plays a key role in shaping go-to-market strategy and product positioning across accounting solutions, AI-powered features, member management tools, accessibility capabilities, and Amilia University. She leads messaging, enablement, and product launches that help membership-based organizations confidently adopt new tools, operate more efficiently, and better serve their communities.
Greg Hatzisavvas
Chief Operating Officer
Greg joined the Westfield Area Y in 2008. Over the years Greg has helped improve quality of existing services and grow the Y’s offering of programs. Over the years he has overseen the fitness, sports, aquatics, swim team and member services departments. In 2023 he was promoted to VP of Operations, and in 2025 to Chief Operating Officer. His current role has expanded to include oversight of all Y programs, member services and marketing. Greg played a pivotal role in the opening of the Cranford YMCA and the launch of the Y’s program and membership software system. Greg holds a B.S. in Physical Education, M.S. in Exercise and Sports Studies & a MBA from William Paterson University. For a decade he previously taught as an adjunct professor in various areas including Health & Fitness Management. Greg is a Fiscal Management Trainer for YMCA of the USA and has served on both state and national task forces in the areas of Health & Wellness.