2026 Annual Conference

Join Us at the UW-Madison Union

Save the Date!

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 FOR:

Registration
Conference Tracks
Tours and Social Events
Sponsoring the Conference
Reserving a Hotel Room

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REGISTRATION (coming soon)

Conference registration is coming, and remember to take advantage of discounted early bird rates until September 7.

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

And don't forget to scroll to the bottom to sign up for the amazing tours we have planned.

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CONFERENCE TRACKS

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):

State Street Campus Garage-Theory Madison Tour (limited to 20)

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

Downtown Walking Tour (limited to 25)

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

Utilizing TIF for Downtown Redevelopment in Middleton

(description coming)

Thursday, October 8, 2026, 5:30 pm-6:30 pm

Madison Public Market Tour (limited to 20)

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

Bike Tour

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. 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. Learn more about the sponsorship levels, and email us to lock in your sponsorship today.

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