Upcoming Events

Federal Planning Trends and Installation Planning

October 16, 2026
12:00PM - 1:30PM CST

CM | 1.5

virtual (Zoom)

This free APA Webcast Series webinar will include federal planner speakers discussing topics such as the history of federal planning, military installation planning guidance, and federal trends. The Federal Planning Division aims to increase federal planning visibility among the broader American Planning Association membership. The Federal Planning Division is a community of professionals dedicated to supporting comprehensive planning and land management policies, techniques, and procedures for federal properties located within the United States and overseas.

Entry-Level Planning Jobs in the Era of AI - 1st Session

October 21, 2026
12:00PM - 1:00PM CST

Entry-Level Planners Panel

How is artificial intelligence reshaping the future of planning careers? Join the first of two APA Career Catalyst webinars exploring how AI is influencing entry-level planning roles, workforce expectations, and professional development. These discussions, led by the APA Career Center and APA Foresight program, will explore how entry-level planning jobs are changing and what can be done today to be better prepared for the future.

AICP Emerging Planners Group Study Prep Trivia Night

October 21, 2026
6:00PM - 8:00PM CST

Houseal Lavigne Associates, 188 W Randolph St, Suite 200, Chicago, IL

APA IL Emerging Professional Planners is hosting an AICP Study Prep Trivia Night to help students and professionals study for the AICP exam. All are welcome to participate and show their planning and AICP knowledge!

2026 APA-STL Coffee Meetup

October 23, 2026
8:00AM - 9:00AM CST

Panera Bread, 6734 Clayton Road, Richmond Heights, MO

2026 Quad State Conference

October 28 - 30, 2026

Get Ready to Ride the Wave of Change!

Registration is open till October 12, 2026. The Kansas City Section of the APA in partnership with the APA Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, and Nebraska Chapters is bringing a quad state conference to Kansas City for an energizing 3‑day gathering of planners, visionaries, and community‑builders.

Entry-Level Planning Jobs in the Era of AI - 2nd Session

October 28, 2026
12:00PM - 1:00PM CST

Stories from Employers and Educators

How is artificial intelligence reshaping the future of planning careers? In the second installment of this Career Catalyst series, hear from those responsible for hiring and developing entry-level planners: agency and firm leaders who bring new planners onto their teams, alongside a planning educator who prepares students for the workforce. Panelists will explore the impact of AI on the role of entry-level planners, and whether it's shifting what employers and educators expect from planners on day one.

2026 World Town Planning Day Online Conference

November 6, 2026
8:00AM - 5:00PM CST

Great Communities are Built on Planning: Together We Deliver, Together We Thrive, Together We Sustain

The APA and its International Division, along with our Global Planners Network partners at the Canadian Institute of Planners, announce the 77th World Town Planning Day FREE online conference to be held all day Nov. 6th from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM CST.

Power of Place: Understanding Overburdened Communities Through Mapping

November 6, 2026
12:00PM - 1:00PM CST

CM | 1

virtual (Zoom)

Understanding communities is vital to planning. State tools mapping cumulative environmental burden and social vulnerabilities can help planners. This session brings together four speakers from different states, representing California, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Michigan, to discuss the background and utility of their state environmental justice mapping and screening tools in the context of planning. Planners can use these tools to better understand communities in which they work and the cumulative burdens on community members. These tools can help them meet their planning goals of serving the public interest through equitable outreach and community engagement. Speakers will discuss the context of the various state tools in the legal framework of their states as well as the processes that led to the creation of the tools. This session will feature interactive elements to engage the audience including a poll to evaluate audience understanding of and background in Environmental Justice, as well as communities in their jurisdictions that are typically hard to reach and engage.

APA-IL DEI Committee Coffee Talk

November 7, 2026
9:00AM - 10:30AM CST

Gensler Chicago, 11 E Madison St, Chicago, IL 60602

Planning Hot Takes

November 12, 2026
5:30PM - 7:30PM CST

MUSE Community + Design, 1616 North Damen Avenue #201, Chicago, IL 60647

Join APA IL Emerging Planners for an evening of hot conversations while sharing your opinions on cities planning and experience as a planner.

SAVE THE DATE: Holiday TODrinks with EPP

December 10, 2026
5:30PM - 7:30PM CST

Chicago, IL

2027 APA National Planning Conference

May 15 - 18, 2027

Houston, TX

2027 APA-IL State Conference

October 6 - 8, 2027

Save the date! We'll be back in beautiful Champaign-Urbana October 6-8, 2027.

APA 2028 National Planning Conference

April 1 - 4, 2028

Seattle, WA