Join us in Galveston for the APA Texas Chapter Conference on October 2-5, 2013, at the Galveston Island Convention Center.  Plans are already underway for the 2013 State Planning Conference and Short Course, including exciting sessions, mobile workshops, plenary and luncheon speakers, and social events.  The Short Course offers training for Planning commissioners and elected officials.   Planning Award recipients will be recognized at the Friday Awards Luncheon.  AICP members have the opportunity to receive up to 12.5 hours of Certification Maintenance credits during the conference.  An AICP Exam Preparation Workshop will be offered on Wednesday afternoon.

Conference registration will begin this summer, with early registration for the conference opening in July 2013.  Watch the APA Texas Chapter website for further information about the conference.  www.txplanning.org  See you in October!

The Call for Session Proposals for the APA Texas Chapter 2013 Conference is now open. The Conference Committee is inviting proposals for speakers and presentations to be included in the conference program.  The conference will include a range of topics and speakers with a variety of experiences and backgrounds, including leading experts and practitioners, as well as young and emerging professionals with new ideas. 

The Call for Session Proposals form is available on the APA Texas Chapter website at www.txplanning.org/files/353/download.   The form includes a link that will submit the completed form via e-mail.   The deadline for session proposals is April 8, 2013.  For further information, see the Session Proposal form. 
 
Overall, a total of 52 sessions will be offered for the Conference and Short Course.  The Conference will offer six tracts, with seven sessions in each tract over two days, for a total of 42 sessions in the conference program.   The Short Course for Planning Officials will offer two additional program tracts with five sessions each, for a total of 10 Short Course sessions.  Each session should cover 1.5 hours, including law and ethics sessions. Preference will be assigned to sessions that appear to be eligible for AICP Certification Maintenance (CM) credits. Panel discussions with multiple speakers that offer “lessons learned” are encouraged.   The conference will also include a Thursday Opening Plenary Session, luncheon programs on Thursday and Friday, and Mobile Workshops.  The preliminary program of conference sessions and activities will be announced this summer.

Are you or your organization interested in becoming a sponsor or exhibitor for the conference? The APA Texas State Planning Conference is the annual statewide event for planners and community leaders seeking to improve planning for their communities.  Last year over 800 persons attended in Fort Worth.  Sponsors and exhibitors have the opportunity to show their services, successful plans, and professional qualifications and experience.  Further information about sponsor and exhibitor opportunities is available on the APA Texas Chapter website www.txplanning.org or click the following links to download the forms: Sponsor / Exhibitor

Conference hotels will include the San Luis Resort, Hilton Resort and Holiday Inn Galveston with special APA group rates for conference attendees. Group rates for single or double occupancy are $179 per night at the San Luis Resort, $149 at the Hilton Resort, and $119 at the Holiday Inn Galveston, plus occupancy tax.  The group rates will also be available for days before and after the conference, if you want to extend your stay for the weekend. 

Make your hotel reservation by calling 800-392-5937 and identifying yourself as with the Texas Chapter of American Planning Association. The cut-off date for making reservations at the group rate is September 1, 2013.

This AICP Workshop will provide an overview of what to expect from the AICP Exam.

Saturday, March 16, 2013, 10 - 4:30 p.m. in Arlington, Texas
Registration fee:  $60.00 (Includes workshop materials and lunch)

For more information visit the APA Texas website.