American Planning Association Conference

American Planning Association Conference – Look Out Los Angeles!

On April 14th, 2012, the American Planning Association (APA) will be holding its annual conference in Los Angeles, California. With four days of education, networking workshops and programs scheduled, it is going to be a great opportunity for city planners to meet, learn and participate in one of the world’s most comprehensive planning conferences internationally. And with thousands of attendees scheduled to attend, it’s going to be a great weekend to be a planner. An urban planner that is.

American Planning Association – Who Are They?

As meeting, conference and event planners our minds immediately go to, well, meeting, conference and event planning. But the APA focuses on a different kind of planning…urban and city planning.

Although it dates back to 1909 (and the first National Conference on City Planning in Washington, D.C.) the APA was created in 1978 when two separate organizations, the American Institute of Planners and the American Society of Planning Officials, consolidated under one banner. With a current membership of over 40,000 people, the APA states a goal of “charitable, educational, literary and scientific purposes to advance the art and science of planning and the activity of planning — physical, economic, and social — at the local, regional, state and national levels.”

With offices in both Chicago and Washington DC, the APA concentrates on Government Affairs and Public Information and Professional Development (Washington office) and Government Affairs and Public Information, as well as the Professional Development (Chicago office).

American Planning Association Conference – Details, Details, Details

Taking place from Saturday April 12th to Tuesday April 17th, 2012, in Los Angeles, California, this year’s conferenceis shaping up to be another outstanding event. Highly anticipated, the APA conference is an annual event with workshops, presentations and events designed to attract planners from all reaches. Some of the topics will include cities, green technology, social media and urban agriculture. The over 5,000 urban and regional planners will be kept busy with a plethora of events, exhibits and sessions to attend.

Last year’s event in Boston was an overwhelming success and the APA expects nothing less from this year’s conference. With literally hundreds of sessions to choose from, the APA encourages attendees to create their own conference by choosing sessions that are relevant to them. And with training, technology and certification on the schedule, there is a lot for the local and international attendees to choose from.

American Planning Association Conference – Non-Conference Activities

Due to costs and a still shaky world economy, many conferences currently focus on work, education and work, work, work. The APA’s conference encourages it’s attendees to sample the charms of the host city. With exclusive sightseeing tours, historical information and fun events highlighted on their website, the APA showcases Los Angeles with some great ideas for attendees and their families to enjoy while in the LA area.

American Planning Association Conference – Up to the Minute Technology

For those unable to attend the American Planning Association’s Conference, the APA has some of the past conference sessions online. Not only will members be able to view the virtual sessions, but they are also able to earn credits towards certification. Currently the APA has sessions from the 2010 (New Orleans) and the 2011 (Boston) conferences available for viewing and will post sessions from the 2012 conference after completion of the conference.