2024 State Conference
The annual APA-IL State Conference is not just an event – it's a 3-day extravaganza showcasing the absolute best in Illinois urban planning. Attendees can expect exciting educational sessions, one-of-a-kind mobile workshops, and unforgettable social soirées. We are excited to be back in Champaign-Urbana for 3 days of fun and inspiration!
2024 APA-IL State Conference
September 25-27, 2024
I Hotel and Illinois Conference Center
Champaign, IL
#APAIL24
Plan Commissioner Training will be held on Thursday, September 26, 2024 and will be a full day of training and networking. Please see the program for further details.
We hope to C-U in September!
Questions? Email Paula Freeze , APA-IL Executive Director.
Enjoy the latest conference news!
None at this time.
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Click HERE for the full program.
Please note: you will be redirected to Stova.
Program Highlights
Trivia Night
Tuesday, September 24, 2024
6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Join us for our annual Trivia Night at Murphy's Pub, 604 East Green Street. Please RSVP when registering.
Cost: $0 registration, food and beverages on your own.
Headshot Lounge
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
All day, by appointment.
We are offering FREE headshots to attendees. Look for directional signage near registration. Be sure to pack your best suit, get a haircut, and don’t forget to bring your smile!
Cost: included with registration
Speed Planning
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
9:45 am - 10:45 am
A conference favorite! Stick around for this fast-paced, interactive session where you can hear about the many planning projects and efforts going on throughout the state! (CM | 1.0)
Cost: included with registration
Designing Places to Address Depression: a Hands-On Workshop
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
This extra-long session allows you to enjoy hands-on design activities focused on building representations of memories and spaces where participants experience ease, observation, affinity for nature, and awe in their communities. (CM | 1.5)
Cost: included with registration
Awards Program
Wednesday, September 25
5:30 - 6:30 pm - Awards Ceremony
6:30 - 7:30 pm - Awards Reception (sponsored by The Lakota Group)
Let's celebrate some of the best planning happening through Illinois and announce this year's project and service award winners. Immediately following the Awards Ceremony, mingle with award winners and sponsors at the Meet and Greet at the Illinois Conference Center. Light hors d'oeuvres and refreshments included. Entrance to the reception is complimentary if you're registered for this day of the conference, or the full conference. Guest tickets are available for purchase if you have additional attendees.
UIUC Alumni Reception
Wednesday, September 25
7:30-10pm
Esquire Lounge, 106 N Walnut St, Champaign, IL 61820
The Department of Urban & Regional Planning at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is hosting a late evening reception for alumni and other conference attendees. After the Awards Reception, please start your evening in downtown Champaign by joining everyone at the Esquire Lounge. Appetizers will be provided. Shuttle service to and from the I Hotel/Illinois Conference Center will be provided (departure and pick-up time TBD).
Bird Watching Walk
Meet at the APA-IL Registration Desk at 6:45 am or meet at Meadowbrook Park (2808 S. Race St., Urbana) at 7:00 am. Carpooling and the Veo bike share bikes will be available. We anticipate this being a 1-hour walk at the Park, arriving back at the hotel between 8:00 am - 8:15 am.
FREE!
Let’s go for a bird walk! Late September is peak fall migration in central Illinois, where we are within a massive flyway between St. Louis and Chicago. Urban parks like Meadowbrook are an oasis for these weary travelers, as the central Illinois landscape has very little habitat left for them. When we design for birds, we are inherently designing beauty, sustainability, and resilience into our landscapes. It can be done at the micro-urban level all the way to landscape-scale restoration. And birds are … fun!
If you want to see what birds will be in the area, check out BirdCast at (like a weather forecast for birds), the night before to see how many migrants are flying over. The bird walk will be fun for anyone who likes to be outdoors, whether or not you consider yourself a birder. You do not need any expertise in birdwatching to join us. We will have 8 loaner binoculars to borrow. Please be sure to dress for walking and the weather!
The bird walk will be led by Mercy Davison, AICP, Town of Normal who is an avid birder and board member of her local Audubon. She will bring 8 binoculars to borrow.
Plan Commissioner Training
Thursday, September 26, 2024
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
City of Champaign City Hall, 102 N. Neil St., Champaign, IL (note different location)
It's back! Plan commissioners work hard reading packets, reviewing cases, conducting public hearings, and considering policy matters; but they rarely get the chance to sit back and look at the big picture of what they do and the significance it has to the communities in which they live. That will be the focus of this all-day track. Click here to learn more about this training. Planners can attend this all-day training but only the pm session will offer CM.
Cost for Commissioners: single day $75 | full conference (3 days): $200
Networking Break with Sponsors
Thursday, September 26, 2024
9:30 am - 10:15 am
Forget the water cooler. Join us for a jazz-infused break time extravaganza. Network with peers, mingle with sponsors, and savor gourmet treats. Enjoy listening to a trio of jazz students from the University of Illinois. It's a win-win for your taste buds, your ears, and your career.
Also during this break, join the Emerging Professional Planners Group for Opportuni-Tea Time—steep your career aspirations and brew up new opportunities. Employers with open positions and those seeking jobs, please meet up at the APA-IL booth and network. Let's get the "tea" on finding a job, slaying it at your new job, or finding the perfect fit for your vacancy. Job openings currently posted on the APA-IL website will be available for all to see!
Emerging Professional Planners Lunch
Are you a new planner, interested in connecting with new planners, or just want to make some fun new friends at the conference? Then grab your lunch and join the Emerging Professional Planners! New and senior planners will be there to facilitate welcoming discussions and share their experiences getting involved with APA IL, the power of networking, and breaking into the professional planning scene.
Cost: $20 (Includes Boxed Lunch-pick up before joining the group)
AICP Exam Prep
Friday, September 27, 2024
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
The APA-IL is proud to provide the widely successful AICP Exam Prep Workshop. The session will be led by the same trainers who have conducted AICP training throughout the country for over a decade and the past National APA Conferences. Each registrant will be provided a course booklet .pdf.
Cost: Free, anyone not attending the conference is welcome to register separately for this session only. Registration is required.
Speakers: John Houseal, FAICP (Houseal Lavigne Associates) and Trevor Dick, FAICP, LEED AP (City of Aurora)
2024 registration rates are posted below.
FAQ
- CANCELLATION / REFUND POLICY: Cancellations sent to CGi by August 16, 2024 will be refunded less a $50 processing fee. After that date, no refunds will be given for cancellations or no-shows. Prior to the conference, a registered attendee may transfer their registration to another individual by notifying CGi in writing of this request.
- Plan Commissioner Training will be held on Thursday, September 26, 2024 and will be a full day of training and networking.
- Students - Please check with your university before registering. UIC and UIUC are offering assistance.
- Volunteer - Volunteering at the conference is a great option for students, interns, retirees, or those in transition that would like to attend. Volunteer a ½ day and receive complimentary registration for that same day. Contact webmaster@ilapa.org if you're interested.
- APA-IL is working once again with CGi to manage this year's conference. If you have any questions about the conference or your conference registration, please email contact@cgiresults.com or call 501-954-9244.
| Early Registration |
Standard Registration |
Extended Registration |
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| Till 8/16/24 @ 11:59 PM | 8/17/24-9/13/24 @ 11:59 PM | 9/14/24 - end of conference | ||
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APA-IL Member: $400 Student: $200 Plan Commissioner: $200 |
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APA-IL Member: $450 Student: $225 Plan Commissioner: $225 |
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APA-IL Member: $550 Student: $250 Plan Commissioner: $250 |
Registration Types
- Member: An American Planning Association (APA) or American Planning Association - Illinois Chapter (APA-IL) member. This includes APA-IL's Chapter Only membership.
- Non-member: An attendee that is not a current paid member of the American Planning Association or American Planning Association - Illinois Chapter.
The APA-IL offers Chapter-Only Memberships for just $50. Click here to purchase a Chapter-Only Membership and save on conference registration!
- Plan Commissioner: Any appointed or elected officials, commissioners, board members, or officials interested in learning about a wide range of planning and development topics fundamental to their roles. Plan Commissioner Training is a day-long training and will take place on Thursday, September 26th.
- Student: Any currently enrolled student at any university. Students will be asked to use their university email and identify their college / university when registering. Check with your university to see if they have funding available to support your attendance before registering.
- AICP Exam Prep ONLY: Please register for the FREE AICP Exam Prep workshop through the conference registration. Conference registration is not required for attendance.
Become a sponsor and have a positive impact on Illinois' communities.
Sponsorship dollars play a critical role in helping the chapter produce this unique and exciting educational opportunity for hundreds of state-wide planners.
The State Conference provides a tremendous opportunity for your organization to engage with local and state government decision-makers, for-profit and non-profit organizations, and other planning professionals from across Illinois and beyond. Please click here to view the 2024-25 prospectus.
CLICK HERE TO BECOME A SPONSOR
Contact Shelly Greenwood at CGi for questions or to talk about opportunities for your organization!
Thank you 2024-25 Sponsors!
Tier 1 Sponsor
Tier 2 Sponsor
Tier 3 Sponsor
University Sponsor
In-Kind Sponsor
Supporter
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Venue Information
The iHotel and Illinois Conference Center provides the perfect location for the 2024 American Planning Association - Illinois Chapter's annual State Conference. Attendees can enjoy comfortable and modern accommodations on the scenic campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The conference center is easily accessible and provides ample, free onsite parking. Participants can expect an exceptional conference experience in a vibrant and picturesque location. We look forward to seeing you there!
I Hotel and Illinois Conference Center
1900 South First Street
Champaign, IL 61820
Accommodations
Room blocks have been arranged at the iHotel and the Residence Inn. The Residence Inn room block was added on 7/31/24.
iHotel information
The room block at the iHotel has been arranged for September 24-27, 2024. SOLD OUT
Rates: Deluxe King Room $189 / Spacious Two Queen $189
Code: APAIL24
Password: TH#n4
Details:
- Guests making reservations by phone at 217-819-5000 need to mention the block code APAIL24 to Guest Service Agents. The iHotel cannot book in the block unless you have the block code.
- Room block reservation cut-off is 9/3/24. Room rates will be honored after the cut-off date based on availability.
- Room tax is 13%
- No Deposit Required
- Cancellation Policy: Reservations must be canceled by 4 pm on the day before arrival to avoid a penalty of one-night room and tax charge to a credit card.
- Free Cancellation up to: 09/23/2024
- Please note: The iHotel is the official hotel for the APA-IL State Conference and will not contact you via email or telephone. While other hotel resellers may contact you offering housing, they are not endorsed by or affiliated with APA-IL, CGi, or the iHotel.
Residence Inn
The room block at the Residence Inn, 502 W. Marketview Dr., Champaign, IL 61822, has been arranged for September 24-27, 2024.
Rates: $104/night
- Room block reservation cut-off is 9/2/24.
- Room tax is 13%
- Free breakfast.
- Please note: The Residence Inn is the official hotel for the APA-IL State Conference and will not contact you via email or telephone. While other hotel resellers may contact you offering housing, they are not endorsed by or affiliated with APA-IL, CGi, or the iHotel.
Travel
Champaign-Urbana is a vibrant, exciting region which is easily accessible by car, train, bus, or plane. You'll find that Champaign is easily accessible from anywhere in the Midwest. The city is served by several major highways, including I-72 and I-74, and is also accessible via Amtrak, with daily service to Champaign. The closest airport is Willard Airport which offers convenient, affordable flights to cities across the Midwest.
Click the Google Map below to start planning your trip to APAIL24!
Looking for information from our past conferences? Please visit our Past/Future Conferences webpage.
