June 10, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. EDT | Online
2026 Planners' Day on Capitol Hill
FAQ
We've pulled together some commonly asked questions to help make your experience a breeze.
What is Planners' Day on Capitol Hill?
This event is a series of meetings via video calls with your congressional offices.
APA arranges time for participants to have meaningful conversations — in small groups and/or one-on-one conversations — with legislators and their staff about federal action on zoning reform and housing.
Meetings with your congressional offices will only be guaranteed if you register by Wednesday, May 20.
Where and when is Planners' Day on Capitol Hill?
Planners' Day will take place FULLY ONLINE on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, between 10 am and 5 pm ET.
Congressional meetings can fall anywhere in that window. There is a small chance that a meeting may need to be rescheduled for another day, depending on the legislator's schedule. All times are expressed in Eastern Standard Time.
How do I register for Planners' Day on Capitol Hill?
You can register for Planners' Day online on the APA website.
Deadline: Your last opportunity to register is Wednesday, May 20, at 11:59 p.m. EDT.
For questions, please reach out to customer service.
Do I need to be an APA member to participate in Planners’ Day?
Yes. Only APA members can register for Planners’ Day on Capitol Hill.
I need to cancel or update my registration. What is your cancellation policy?
Contact customer service if you must cancel, change, or transfer your registration. You cannot cancel or transfer by phone or on social media. You may cancel your registration in writing by May 20 to receive a full refund.
How much is this event?
This event costs $95. You must be an APA member to participate.
How do I get access to my meeting schedule?
You will find links to your meetings and links to the opening and closing sessions in Advocacy Day, the platform where you'll access your meeting schedule and join your congressional meetings.
You will receive access to Advocacy Day closer to Planners' Day.
I just registered. Why can't I see the training videos?
Don’t panic! You will receive an email in early May once it’s time to start your training. This will ensure you have the most up-to-date information for what’s happening on Capitol Hill and what messaging you should prepare for your meetings.
Do I need to complete all of the training?
Yes, we expect that you will complete all of the training before participating in Planners' Day. This training will help prepare you for your meetings and provide crucial guidance and information. The training changes year to year, so even if you have participated before, we ask that you complete all five training sessions again.
What am I getting out of this event?
Check out APA's "5 Reasons to Join APA for Planners' Day" blog.
Registration by May 20 includes:
- Access to at least one congressional meeting
- Tailored training to develop your voice, communicate the critical role of planners in zoning reform, and identify your stories to change public policy at the federal, state, and local levels
- Guidance on the latest pro-planning and pro-reform federal legislation from subject matter experts
- Top "How to be an Advocate" training that you can bring back and share with your communities
- Inspiration from planning champions working alongside planners to produce diverse, attainable, and equitable housing nationwide
- Opportunities to connect with other planners just like you who want to come together to elevate the voice of our profession
- Four CM credits
Do I need previous advocacy experience to participate in Planners’ Day?
No! We invite all planners, regardless of prior advocacy experience, to participate in Planners’ Day. To learn more about advocacy at APA, join the Planners' Advocacy Network (PAN) and check out our recent podcast episode on getting into advocacy.
I need extra help to prepare for my meeting. What can I do?
Contact govtaffairs@planning.org to schedule a one-on-one meeting with the APA Advocacy team. We are here to make sure you feel prepped, ready, and confident!