2026 Annual Conference

There's not much time left - REGISTER TODAY!

Agenda Published

Date and time

October 8-9, 2026

Location

UW-Madison Memorial Union

800 Langdon St., Madison, WI 53706

Refund Policy

Refunds up to 7 days before the event.

SEE BELOW OR FOLLOW LINKS FOR INFORMATION ON:

• Registration
• Keynote Presentations
• Conference Tracks & Sessions
• Tours and Social Events
• Sponsoring the Conference
• Things to do in Madison

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REGISTRATION

Go to the registration page and select the rate that represents your membership status.

Or, use our mail-in registration form if you need to send us a check.

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CONFERENCE TRACKS & SESSIONS

GO TO OUR CONFERENCE SESSIONS PAGE FOR FULL DESCRIPTIONS AND PRESENTER BIOS

Technology Transformation and Economic Trends

Evolving technologies are reshaping local and regional economies. Sessions will highlight data centers, leveraging AI, emerging economic development trends, workforce implications, and planning strategies to help communities address challenges and support sustainability.

Engagement and Planning Practice

Planners are turning public feedback into transformative decision-making. Sessions will highlight sharing tools, techniques, and methods to successfully engage the public to build trust, work with partners, drive effective policy, and put plans into action.

Housing Challenges and Solutions

Explore housing challenges and innovative solutions that make communities more livable. Sessions will cover creative planning approaches to financing, land banking, public-private partnerships, regulatory reform, and policies to create more affordable and accessible housing for all.

Climate Resilience and the Environment

Planners are improving the well-being of communities and regions. Sessions cover promoting and providing access to sustainable infrastructure, renewable energy, clean air and water, and proactively reducing vulnerability to hazards.

Streets and Public Spaces

Learn how planners are shaping the public realm. Sessions will cover partnerships that deepen connections to and through places, featuring ideas and solutions for streets, interactive spaces, public art, and active transportation options that engage communities.

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TOURS AND SOCIAL EVENTS

In your responses to our conference survey, informal networking was listed as one of the most beneficial things at the conference. So we're planning opportunities for tours, planned events (Trivia Night!), and less structured gatherings.

Here's what we have so far (click on the tour name to see more information):

Utilizing TIF for Downtown Redevelopment in Middleton

Wednesday, October 7, 2026, 5:30 pm-6:30 pm

Meeting & ending at Stone Horse Green

State Street Campus Garage Redevelopment (limited to 20)

Thursday, October 8, 2026, 10 am-12:15 pm

Meeting at State Street Campus parking garage ground floor

Downtown Walking Tour (limited to 25)

Thursday, October 8, 2026, 2 pm-5:15 pm

Meeting at the conference venue along Lake Mendota, and ending at One Social Food Hall on Lake Mendota

Madison Public Market Tour (limited to 20)

Friday, October 9, 2026, 9:45 am-Noon

Meet on Johnson Street from the conference venue, and take bus rapid transit (BRT) through downtown and the Capitol East District to the Market. BRT passes will be provided, and the return trip will also be via BRT.

Bike, Bus, TDM: It's an Infrastructure Party! (limited to 15)

Friday, October 9, 2026, 1:15-3:30 pm

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SPONSOR THE CONFERENCE!

Find out more about how your company or organization can have access to hundreds of city planners from throughout Wisconsin. Then fill out the sponsorship form to lock in your sponsorship today.

The APA-WI Annual Conference is the only time each year that this many planners gather in one place for two days. This creates a unique opportunity for you to interact with them and have them become familiar with what you offer.

Sponsorship Overview

Sponsorship Tiers

Sponsorship Form

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Go to our sponsor page. There, you can click on the name of any of our generous sponsors to learn more about them.

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Things to do in Madison

Madison's food cart scene is anchored by the daily lineup at Library Mall. The campus area is the heart of the city's street food culture, especially during the week when vendors line up to serve students and office workers. You can find a wide variety of international flavors here, from Venezuelan arepas to traditional Southeast Asian dishes.

Use this amazing interactive map to find a great food truck to try out.

If you're interested,

click here to get your tickets.