On April 14, over 60 planners gathered at Gensler’s downtown LA offices to kick off brainstorming for the 2016 APA California Conference, to be held in Pasadena on October 22-25, 2016. The 2016 Conference Co-chairs—Kevin Keller, AICP, Meghna Khanna, and Melani Smith, AICP—informed the volunteers about the overall conference planning process, and the responsibilities of the various conference committees, which include: Diversity, Mobile Workshops, Planners’ Guide/Orientation Tours, Programs and Sessions, Public Relations and Merchandising, Special Events, Sponsorships, Volunteers, YEPP/Student volunteers, and Information and Technology.

After the presentation, attendees were able to sign up to serve on one (or more) conference committee, and following suit with the 2016 Conference theme—”Crafting Our Future: The Art of Planning”—attendees used their imaginations (and pipe cleaners) to brainstorm some big ideas they have for the 2016 Conference. Check out some of the inspirational creations below!

If you’d also like to get involved in the 2016 Pasadena conference planning, please email [email protected] to find out how you can get involved. We need YOU to help us achieve our goal of making a conference that highlights the great place-making that is happening in our region, and is appealing to diverse planning audiences including students, emerging professionals, allied and other creative professionals, academics, citizen-planners, mid-career professionals, and elected officials.