Welcoming Environment and FAQ

Download the APA Rules of Conduct

as of December 2024

Introduction

The American Planning Association (APA) is committed to establishing, maintaining, and protecting a welcoming environment free of discrimination and harassment in any form for everyone. To that end, APA is issuing these Rules of Conduct for all APA functions — both in person and virtual — including its online communities. It is our hope that these Rules will promote a welcoming environment for all who attend APA meetings and other APA functions.

A. SCOPE

The APA Rules of Conduct apply to all participants (members and non-members), guests, sponsors, volunteers, and vendors/exhibitors at all official Association functions, including but not limited to:

1. National conferences and meetings, including meeting breakout sessions, tours, and social events, as well as all meeting-related events that are sponsored by the Association;
2. APA online discussion boards, APA social media groups, and emails addressing APA policies or other APA issues;
3. Meetings, retreats, social events, conference calls and any online or email communications of the APA Board of Directors, AICP Commission, APA Foundation Board of Trustees, Chapter President's Council, Divisions Council, and Student Representatives Council, as well as meetings, calls and digital communications of national committees and task forces; and
4. Meetings, retreats, social events, and conference calls sponsored by any APA Division and any online or email communications involving Division policies or issues.

These Rules also apply to all conduct by members of the APA Board of Directors and AICP Commission when acting in their capacity as leaders, regardless of whether such conduct occurs at an APA function. Members of the APA Board or the AICP Commission will be considered as acting in their capacity as leaders when they are attending an event as a representative of the APA or the AICP, and when they are speaking on behalf of the APA or the AICP.

Coverage

If an APA or AICP member experiences, witnesses, or is accused of harassment or discrimination at the member's own or another institution, at a place of work, at a research facility, or online, but not in a context addressed above, APA will not become involved. We encourage members to contact the appropriate officer/official(s) at that location or institution who handles such issues. The APA strongly encourages all of our chapters to adopt their own rules of conduct that apply to chapter-sponsored events and chapter leaders. The APA will not become involved in incidents at the chapter level, but will consult with any chapter that seeks its input as the chapter considers adoption or modification of its rules of conduct. The APA requests that any chapter that takes disciplinary action against a member based on its own rules of conduct advise APA's Welcoming Environment Committee of that action. Planning Student Organizations should comply with the applicable rules of their sponsoring academic institution.

B. PROHIBITED CONDUCT

To nurture a welcoming APA environment, some behaviors are expressly prohibited. Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to:

1. Harassment or discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, physical appearance, ethnicity, race, religion, nationality, or any other group identity or basis protected by federal law;
2. Sexual harassment or intimidation, including unwelcome sexual attention, stalking (physical or virtual), demeaning gender-based comments, or unwelcome physical contact;
3. Harassment or discrimination based upon any position of influence;
4. Refusing to provide goods or services to a person or group of people based on gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, physical appearance, ethnicity, race, religion, nationality, or any other group identity or basis protected by federal law;
5. Abusive, discriminatory, derogatory, ridiculing, lewd, or demeaning language, conduct, or presentation materials (visual or auditory);
6. Bullying or defined as a pattern of repeatedly and deliberately harming and humiliating another person.
7. Yelling despite being asked to stop, offensive ridiculing, or threats (verbal or physical);
8. Physical violence or threat of violence; and
9. Retaliation aimed at a complainant or anyone who reports an incident or who aids in a complaint investigation.

Final Comments:

It is important to recognize that the APA is not a law enforcement entity. While we are striving to offer a welcoming environment to all attendees at our functions, we are not responsible for the conduct of any individual. We assume no duty to halt, limit, or address any problematic or illegal conduct, and we disclaim liability for conduct between and among any individuals.

Rather, in adopting and disseminating these Rules, APA's purpose is to encourage appropriate behavior and to address allegedly inappropriate behavior in a fair manner. We want to do what we reasonably can to help assure that all participants and attendees at APA functions are treated in a welcoming manner. It is our hope that these Rules will help to result in a welcoming environment for all who participate or attend APA functions.

Will NPC26 be an in-person conference in Detroit, or is it online?

NPC26 includes two separate, unique events, with different educational content:

• An in-person conference in Detroit, April 25–28, 2026
• An online conference, May 27-29, 2026

Where is the in-person conference being held?

NPC26 will be held at the Huntington Place Convention Center.

When can I register?

Registration will launch in January.

What are the registration rates for NPC26?

Registration rates for members, students, and non-members, along with what is included in registration, will be announced later this year.

How do I book a hotel for NPC26 in Detroit?

Hotels for the NPC26 will be announced when registration and the program launch in January.

How do I become a sponsor/exhibitor for NPC26?

Our Exhibitor and Sponsorship prospectus will be available later this summer. Check back for updates.

Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Send us an email with your question to meetings@planning.org.

If I submit a proposal for consideration for a session or mobile workshop, when will I find out if my program has been accepted?

Notifications for session and mobile workshop acceptance will be shared before registration opens in January 2026.

Do I have to be a member to submit a proposal?

Yes, you need to be a member to submit a proposal for sessions and Mobile Workshops.

Will speakers receive a discounted registration rate?

APA values the intellectual knowledge and expertise that speakers bring to the NPC program. For NPC26, accepted session speakers, mobile workshop coordinators, and guides will receive a significant discount on the conference registration fee. All speakers are required to register for the conference and pay the conference rate based on their session placement in the in-person or online program.

Are there speaker guidelines I should follow when submitting a proposal?

You are encouraged to gather a group of diverse experts to create a dynamic presentation.

Equity, diversity, and inclusion are priority commitments of APA, inclusive of NPC speakers and content.  As you begin to identify speakers for your session, we ask that sessions featuring multiple speakers be diverse and include BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) and/or Female, Transgender, Gender-Fluid, Nonbinary, and Gender- Nonconforming individuals.

Equity, diversity, and inclusion are a priority commitment of APA, inclusive of NPC speakers and content. If you need assistance finding a diverse pool of speakers, please contact chairs of any of the following divisions: Asian and Pacific Islander Interest Group, Latinos and Planning Division, LGBTQ and Planning Division, Planning and the Black Community Division (PBCD), Tribal and Indigenous Planning Division, and Women & Planning Division.

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Stay updated with the latest conference news, speaker announcements, and exciting program highlights. Be the first to learn about exciting program details and access early bird discounts.

Do you have a specific question about the Call for Proposals process that is not answered here?

If you have additional questions about the Call for Proposals, please contact education@planning.org.