APA's 2009 National Planning Conference Call for Proposals Thank you for your interest in providing educational content at the 2009 APA National Planning Conference in Minneapolis, April 25–29, 2009. APA invites you to explore the many proposal formats and select one that most closely matches the content you wish to provide. All proposals must be submitted online. The deadline is August 27, 2008, for most proposals, but confirm on the individual proposal page. This deadline is firm. Submit your proposal early to avoid problems.

Who May Propose?

Both APA members and non-members may submit proposals in most areas. Please read instructions carefully, and review the registration policy to determine your eligibility.

Proposal Formats

Local Host Committee Track
The Local Host Committee creates a special track focusing on local and regional planning initiatives and programs in Minneapolis and St. Paul. 

Click here to learn more and to propose

Mobile Workshops
The Local Host Committee Mobile Workshop committee invites specific individuals to propose Mobile Workshops for the conference. If you have been invited to propose, please click the link below.

Click here to learn more and to propose

Sessions
Sessions are the most traditional form of proposal and create the bulk of the conference content. Topics cover a wide area of information, and can be organized in many different ways. 

Click here to learn more and to propose

Training Workshops
These full or half day training workshops provide practical skill development for planners and officials as they perform their jobs. Workshops incorporate lectures, hands-on experience, extensive interaction, and useful resources for participants.

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Technology Showcase
The Technology Showcase consists of demonstrations and discussions regarding software, project applications, and case studies of visioning software, databases, GIS, and other planning information technology.

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Facilitated Discussions
Facilitated discussions allow for informal, more intensive discussion among groups of people who share ideas or have situations in common. Audiences for Facilitated Discussions may include: planning directors, students, new professionals, and planning commissioners, elected officials, and appointed officials, and those working with youth.

Click here to learn more and to propose

Poster Presentations and Exhibits
Poster presentations highlight individual presentations on planning research, case studies, and planning projects. The mounted posters are displayed in the exhibit hall Saturday through Tuesday, with a special time on Monday for informal discussion with attendees. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I have to register for the conference to participate as a speaker? 
A: Yes. All speakers must be registered for the conference. Click here to read the speaker registration policy and learn about registration options. 

Q: I would like to submit a research paper, where should I do that?
A: We don't have a specific area to submit research papers. Please consider using your paper as a catalyst for a session or poster presentation.

Q: I don't know who my speakers will be yet. What should I enter in the proposal form?  
A: You don't have to have all of your speakers confirmed yet. Entering speaker names in the proposal form gives reviewers a good idea of the positions/locations of speakers you are planning to invite. You will need to officially invite any speakers from an accepted proposal later in the process (APA will provide information on how to do this as needed). Proposers are strongly encouraged to list proposed speakers.

Q: Is every session required to have at least one APA member as a speaker?
A: Yes.

Q: I don't want to prepare a session alone, what are my options?
A: Please check our speaker database, www.planning.org/speakers, to search for a speaker who specializes in your topic. 

Q: Does my session have to fit in a track? 
A: No. Sessions are accepted on the full spectrum of planning topics. Select a track designation ONLY if your session proposal fits well in the track. There is no competitive advantage to selecting a track designation.

New! Speaker Policy

Speakers are allowed to speak in no more than two sessions. A session is a general session, a division session, a local host committee session, or a poster session. A speaker may also participate in one additional technology showcase or facilitated discussion. GIS workshop speakers and Mobile Workshop speakers are exempt from this policy. Any deviation from this policy is at the sole discretion of the Director of Education.

View My Proposals

If you have already started a session proposal, click here to continue where you left off.

Questions?

APA will contact you on the status of your proposal beginning in mid–November.

If you have questions about submitting a session proposal, contact speakerinfo@planning.org.

If you have difficulty with your online submission, contact websitefeedback@planning.org.