APA NYU Annual Conference: Call for Session Submissions!
/Join planners from across New York State for our annual chapter conference this October including the annual meeting and awards program - submit your session proposals to share your knowledge and experience!
Want to talk to peers about a subject related to planning in Upstate that interests you? Have an idea about a mobile workshop that would showcase the best Upstate has to offer?
The 2026 Conference Planning Committee is developing a conference program to bring various planning, design and other allied professionals together to learn from each other, as well as acquire new skills. We are seeking presentations that present cutting edge skills and/or highlight current issues relevant to planners throughout Upstate New York. We are also developing ideas for mobile workshops and ways to encourage involvement of graduate students and interested citizen planners. Sessions are sought on Law, Ethics, Equity, and Sustainability & Resilience that would fulfill the 1.0 hours (each) of AICP Certification Maintenance (CM). See below for additional information on CM requirements.
Format
Proposers are encouraged to submit for non-traditional sessions, mobile workshops, and traditional sessions. Non-traditional sessions can include problem-solving roundtables, “fast-fun-fervent” presentations, and peer-group sessions. Traditional sessions typically involve presentations and audience interaction with an expert panel.
All sessions and presentations should emphasize useful takeaways for participants. Examples include breakthrough information that makes a convincing case for an innovative idea; usable tools and methods with an understanding of how and when to use them; and key resources for deeper examination of an idea or tool. Proposals should consider incorporating real world scenarios to walk participants through the application of an idea or tool. In the proposal, please note how you will structure the session to address the above areas of emphasis.
All sessions must include some measure of facilitated interaction with the audience in addition to any traditional Q&A. At least one-third of session time must be devoted to facilitated interaction and Q&A. Also, in each session, spoken presentations should not run longer than 15 minutes without insertion of an interactive segment or a change of speaker. In the proposal, you will be asked to indicate agreement with these guidelines.
Some key considerations:
Typical session duration should be 90 minutes total including time for Q & A. The committee will also consider double (3 hour) or half (45 minute) sessions.
The Conference Committee is seeking presentations that align with the conference theme and learning objectives, especially those with attention paid to presentations that reflect the interdisciplinary and intersectional nature of the objectives. You can review the conference learning objectives in the next section.
If proposing a panel session or presentation with multiple presenters, please designate a primary contact person to make it easier for us to keep you informed.
Session proposals that include non-APA members as presenters are welcome.
The conference committee may select individual presentations and combine them into a panel/joint presentation if complementary sessions are proposed.
Each room will have a computer, projector and sound system. Please indicate any technical needs beyond this standard setup.
Please note that slides used for selected sessions may be made available to NYU APA Members.
Mobile Workshops
The Conference Committee also invites proposals for Mobile Workshops that accomplish a dual objective:
Provide valuable, relevant, AICP-creditworthy information on planning issues and success stories
Expose conference attendees to the unique places, assets, character, and lifestyle of the greater Capital Region area.
Proposals should specify if these tours require initial transportation to the walking/biking tour or if it is accessible from the conference site. Mobile workshops are typically offered as either half-day or full-day sessions but will be considered for the standard session lengths of 45, 60, 75, or 90 minutes. Proposals should indicate whether classroom or meeting space is needed as part of the session before, during, or immediately following the mobile tour. If your mobile workshop requires transportation or equipment rental (i.e. bikes, scooters, etc.) and you are able to provide this at no cost, please include this detail in your proposal.
The open call will close on May 29, 2026. Submit now!
The Conference is scheduled for Wednesday, October 14 - Friday, October 16, 2026 in Albany NY.
