APA-WI 2025 Annual Conference
Bridging Connections: Laying the Foundation for the Future
Bridging Connections: Laying the Foundation for the Future focuses on the interconnections of various planning disciplines and their role in shaping communities of tomorrow. From mobility and housing to public health and the environment, this conference will explore how planners can create forward-thinking, collaborative, and cohesive strategies that pave the way for resilient, thriving communities.
Call for Presentation Proposals is Open - Deadline June 16, 2025
Submit a proposal to present on one of the following 5 information tracks:
1 Transportation & Mobility:
- Explore how innovative transportation and land use solutions encourage active transportation, connectivity, and access to rural and urban transportation.
2 Public Health & the Environment:
- Learn how planners improve the well-being of communities and regions by reducing vulnerability to hazards and promoting healthy foods, physical activity, sustainable infrastructure, renewable energy, and clean air and water.
3 Housing for All:
- Explore creative solutions to housing challenges, including financing, development strategies, public-private partnerships, and flexible land use policies to create more affordable and accessible housing for all.
4 Economic Development, Tourism, and Recreation:
- Learn how communities use parks, trails, natural amenities, the arts, and tourism to attract residents and visitors, boost local spending, and create a thriving economy.
5 Planning, Collaboration, and Implementation:
- Share tools, techniques, and methods to successfully engage the public, work with partners, drive effective policy, and put plans into action.
2025 Annual Conference Hotel Reservations
ROOM RESERVATION PROCEDURES
$135 - $145
Group room rate code:
- American Planning Assn - WI Chapter
Individual Reservations:
Room reservations will be made on an individual basis. Individuals can make their reservations using one of the following methods:
- Call the Hotel directly Mon-Fri 9am-5pm CST at 608-784-6680
- Request a “quick access link” from your Hotel Contact to send to your attendees via email.
SPONSOR THE 2025 APA-WI ANNUAL CONFERENCE!
For over 50 years, the American Planning Association - Wisconsin Chapter (APA-WI) has hosted annual conferences. This year, we’re very excited to be at the La Crosse Center in La Crosse on September 11 and 12, 2025. We invite you to join us and to sign on as a sponsor. Your support is so very important and helps to make the conference more memorable. Use the links below to learn more and sign up.
This year’s conference theme is Bridging Connections: Laying the Foundation for the Future. The conference will focus on the interconnections of various planning disciplines and their role in shaping communities of tomorrow.
Break-out tracks include Housing for All, Transportation & Mobility, Public Health & the Environment, Economic Development, Tourism, & Recreation, and Back to the Basics: Planning, Collaboration & Implementation. We’ll be examining these topics and others through the lens of equity, diversity, and justice. We encourage your organization to send a presentation proposal!
Please join our Sponsorship Team for the 2025 conference.
Your participation helps to make these events a great learning experience for participants and affords a great opportunity to promote your work and make valuable business connections. In addition to recognizing your organization’s participation in the program and on our website, we will provide conference registrations and an exhibit table. Take a look at the sponsorship levels and all that’s included with each level.
Sponsor early so your logo appears on all the promotional materials!
2025 CHAPTER AWARDS CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
The 2025 Chapter Awards recognize outstanding achievements and innovations in planning and publicize persons and organizations whose activities advance planning in Wisconsin.
ELIGIBILITY FOR PLANNING EXCELLENCE
An APA-WI or APA member must submit the application.
Nominations must be for projects located in Wisconsin and must have included an APA-WI or an APA member throughout the planning process. Elected Official of the Year and Citizen Planner of the Year nominees must live and work in Wisconsin. Outstanding Journalism nominations must have a reporter from and a story about a Wisconsin community.
No project may be considered if a member of the Jury, or his/her organization, had a role in planning or implementing the project. Jury members are selected from outside of Wisconsin.
Read the following documents to learn more and nominate a worthy colleague.