Connect
There are many opportunities to connect to APA, to the Louisiana Chapter, and to other members. In addition to APA's annual national conference, our state chapter holds its annual conference in January - rotating locations around the state. Both offer opportunities for professional development, earning CM credits to maintain certifications, and most importantly opportunities for fun!
Local Sections, of which there are four across the state, offer occasional lunch-n-learn talks, referrals to seminars provided by allied professions, and events of interest which often satisfy CU requirements and are opportunities to meet with other planning professionals who live and work near you. Click the Sections button to learn more.
Attending our Annual State Planning Conferences is a great way to learn about planning activity across our state, to meet other planners in public and private practice, and to earn continuing education credits towards maintaining your AICP credential. Since our state chapter is divided into four sections, the annual conference rotates around the four regions of Louisiana visiting a new city every year.
Check out the Events Calendar on this website to find events of state-wide significance which may pique your interest or to which you might offer your talents and resources. Be sure to check your Section page for events near you.
Students are tomorrow's professionals and leaders. We in Louisiana are fortunate to have the resources of the University of New Orleans' Department of Planning and Urban Studies (PLUS); Schools of Architecture at LSU, Southern, Tulane, UNO, University of Lousiana - Lafayette, and Louisiana Tech; and LSU's School of Landscape Architecture. These students offer fresh creativity and new technical skills to us; as we offer practice advise and experience to them.
APA-LA's Young Planners Group has been formed to provide a friendly and stimulating environment for those relatively new to the profession. If a YPG does not exist in your area, consider starting one up! Bridget Tydor (btydor@nocp.org) and Dara Sanders (dara.sanders@gmail.com) each co-chair the Young Professionals Group.
Planning Commissioners are volunteers in their respective parishes, cities and towns who serve on local boards to administer planning, growth, development and related issues. Commissioners are often not trained urban planners, yet they bring a wealth of experience and perspective from other professions. Planning Commissioners are required by the Louisiana Constitution to receive training on an annual basis to aide them in their decision making processes as they serve their local communities. APA Louisiana strives to provide training and access to resources in an effective manner.
