Updated March 24, 2020

We are very disappointed to announce that the 2020 National Planning Conference, originally scheduled for April 25–28 in Houston, is canceled in line with recommendations by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to limit effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Registered attendees have the option of receiving a full refund or maintaining a credit with APA that can be applied to other programs, services, or membership renewal through September 30, 2021. We'll follow up shortly with additional information on future online learning opportunities that will facilitate the same high level of professional development for planners and the planning community that you've come to expect from APA.

As you focus on meeting the needs of your communities, we will turn our attention to the substantial challenge of keeping APA and the planning community strong in a rapidly changing world. We'll have more to say about this in the coming days.

We know this is a trying time for everyone — not just professionally, but also personally. On behalf of the APA Board of Directors and staff, we thank all of you for your patience and support as we navigate the complexities of this unprecedented event. We are especially grateful to the NPC Planning Committee and our local partners in Houston; please know we share your disappointment and honor your contributions.

Sincerely,

Kurt Christiansen, FAICP, APA President

Joel Albizo, FASAE, APA CEO

Following is additional information about our overall approach to addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and what you can expect from us in the weeks to come.

APA's COVID-19 Response Guiding Principles

The well-being of our staff, members, and partners is a top priority.

We honor our commitments to members and partners by managing risk and adapting to rapidly evolving circumstances.

We stay informed and share verified, accurate information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Houston authorities.

We commit to communicating clearly and consistently.

Supporting planners across the country with empathy as they deal with uncertainty in their own lives and their communities is part of this shared experience.

NPC20 Registration Credits and Refunds

All attendees registered for NPC20 have the following options for handling their registration fee:

Keep a credit with APA that can be applied to other items like membership dues or renewals, APA Learn courses, NPC21 conference registration, and more. If you choose this option, no further action is needed on your part — we will automatically credit your account. More importantly, you will have continued access to professional development options for the next year and a half, through September 30, 2021. Receive a full refund now. Simply email us at registrationchanges@planning.org with your request by April 30, 2020. Please allow between 30 to 60 days to receive your refund.

Refunds include fees for mobile workshops or ticketed events, if applicable.

Certification Maintenance

We understand that many AICP members plan on the CM earned at NPC to meet their reporting period requirements. We encourage members to explore distance learning opportunities to meet their CM requirements.

The grace period for those in the 2018–2019 reporting period ends May 29, 2020, which is an extension of one month beyond the typical four-month grace period. At this time, additional reporting period and grace period extensions have not been planned. As the AICP Commission evaluates the evolving circumstances facing planners, updates will be shared with AICP members directly.

AICP members in certain life and career situations may be eligible for a temporary or permanent exemption from the requirement to earn CM credits. If you were in any of these life situations during the 2018–2019 reporting period, you may apply for a CM Exemption.

Planners approaching a reporting period deadline in the short-term may consider pursuing online learning options available through APA or other CM providers. APA Learn has nearly 600 courses including Law and Ethics, all of which are eligible for CM credit and available at a low per-credit cost.

If you were registered for NPC20, APA offers the option of crediting your registration fees toward professional development and membership renewal, which is applicable to APA Learn coursework.

Many other CM providers also offer live online and on-demand education. Members can use the CM search and the Live Online and On Demand event type filter to find distance learning courses that fit their needs.

APA is working on future online learning opportunities that will facilitate the same high level of professional development for planners and the planning community that you've come to expect from APA. We will communicate these opportunities to AICP members as they become available.

AICP Certification Exam

APA is exploring options for the May 2020 AICP Certification Exam testing window. We will communicate with all eligible and registered examinees with updates as they are available.

AICP College of Fellows Class of 2020

We are looking into ways to celebrate the Class of 2020 College of Fellows inductees in lieu of the FAICP induction ceremony and reception at NPC20. All inductees may begin using their new FAICP designation. Congratulations!

Other Efforts

With the health and well-being of our staff and members a priority, APA is also taking the following measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our communities:

Transitioning all face-to-face committee and working group meetings to virtual formats, or postponing them.

Canceling all in-person meetings at the American Planning Association offices in Chicago and Washington, D.C., and substituting virtual meetings whenever possible.

Transitioning to an all-virtual work environment for all employees.

Suspending all international business travel and non-essential domestic travel.

While these circumstances are challenging and present learning opportunities for all of us, we expect that access to APA staff and key member services will go uninterrupted.

Updates

We will communicate via e-mail with all registered NPC20 attendees, speakers, exhibitors, and sponsors regarding our evolving future plans. We will also update this page regularly as circumstances continue to evolve.

Important Reminders + Guidance for All of Us