2010 National Planning Conference

Facilitated Discussion Proposal Submissions

Saturday, April 10 – Tuesday, April 13, 2010 • New Orleans

Deadline: August 18, 2009

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, youth and planning, planning commissioners, elected officials, and appointed officials. Facilitated Discussions are not formal presentations, and proposers must be APA members. 

Planning Commissioner Facilitated Discussion Example

Regulating Design for Density

How do you include design guidelines in regulations to ensure context appropriate design for higher density development? How do you avoid negative density discussions without a design component? How do you best use graphics and visuals to defuse those seeking only low densities. How do you link design positively with "hard" issues such as active lifestyles and economic development and avoid "soft" issue linkages, such as charges of frivolous aesthetics regulation?

Private Practice Facilitated Discussion Example

Small Firm Exchange

Private Practice planners in firms of six or less are invited to this roundtable exchange.  Discussion topics will focus on the concerns of small firms.  Come and share your experience and hear solutions.

Planning Commissioner, Elected Officials, and Appointed Officials Discussion Example

Helping the Public to Understand Planning

Share your knowledge and experiences involving public education. Make your planning commission meetings and programs productive and engaging.

New Professionals Discussion Example

Ideals Meet Reality

Your vision for the future of society led you to the planning profession. The reality of the workplace challenges how you can implement your goals. How do you work as a planner and still act upon your principles? Share your experiences and hear from veteran planners who have successfully managed this conflict.

APA Members

APA members will need to use their ID number and website password to access the online submission area. Your ID appears on the mailing label of Planning. Non-members may not submit facilitated discussion proposals.

Step 1

Before deciding to submit a proposal, it is very important that you read the Speaker Registration Policy. All speakers are required to register and whether you submit a proposal may be determined by your speakers' acceptance of this policy. When you recruit speakers, you must inform them of the registration policy, so they can give you an honest answer about whether they can attend and speak.

Step 2

Click here to begin a Facilitated Discussion proposal.