Just days remain for early-bird registration

Will you be attending our 2019 State Planning Conference in Baton Rouge? You should! Just days remain for the reduced "early-bird" rates, saving you at least $25. The early-bird rate expires after Monday, May 13th, 2019. The conference dates are May 23 and 24 which are the Thursday and Friday before Memorial Day weekend.

Day One

Conference HQ: Baton Rouge Area Chamber, 564 Laurel Street

We'll learn about strategies and best practices for engaging with our elected officials - advocating for legislation and actions which promote good planning throughout our state. We will learn about current planning advocacy efforts at both the state and national level from Chapter Vice President and DDD Development Project Director Whitney Hoffman Sayal, AICP. Then we'll have an interactive ETHICS session highlighting current trends in planning ethics. Sean Daly, AICP, a transportation planner and our Chapter Professional Development Officer, will guide us. We will receive advocacy pointers and training prior to heading to the Louisiana Capitol where our organization has reserved a table for the opportunity to speak to state representatives about the value of good planning principles. Active advocacy is not required, but encouraged. Attendees not actively stationed at the APA advocacy table can attend ongoing legislative committee hearings and learn more about the legislative process or view the Capitol and surrounding grounds. The view from the top (weather permitting) is magnificent!

Thursday evening, we'll gather at "The Loft" at Cecelia Creole Bistro featuring a spectacular view of the setting sun over the Mississippi River. We'll socialize and then present awards to our Partners in Planning, recognizing the efforts of elected officials and allied professions including journalists and engineers to promote the activities and implementation of good community planning practices in our state.

Day Two

LAW CMs: This conference’s law session will review current law implications in floodplain management and coastal restoration; reflecting one of our chapter’s legislative priorities, Coastal Restoration. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from Niki Pace, J.D., of the Louisiana Sea Grant program and Beaux Jones, General Counsel of the Water Institute of the Gulf.

Mobile Workshops: Included in registration is your choice of a mobile workshop, either a walking tour of new developments in Downtown Baton Rouge or a tour of The LSU Center for River Studies at The Water Campus. The Downtown tour will highlight projects restored due to Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits and The Center for River Studies tour will include a view of the river studies model and information about coastal restoration/floodplain management.

Optional - Red Stick Social: As we wind down in anticipation of the Memorial Day weekend, you're invited to go bowling and socialize with us at Baton Rouge's brand new Red Stick Social entertainment venue in the newly renovated Electric Depot, a former power generation facility on Government Street in Baton Rouge's Mid City. This redevelopment project was led by the East Baton Rouge Parish Redevelopment Authority.