THESE ARE FROM 2026. FPC26 SCHEDULE WILL BE PUBLIC IN MAY.

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Learn How Planning Tools Can Support Florida’s Expanding Population While Keeping Naturals Systems Healthy

Tuesday, Sept. 16, 1 – 5 pm | Room 203
Maximum: 125 people
Cost: FREE

Attendees are encouraged to bring their laptop or tablet.

As more than 1,200 people move to Florida each day – many drawn by the state’s pristine beaches, vast forests, and vibrant freshwater systems – planners face the difficult task of accommodating this rapidly growing population while protecting the natural spaces that attracted these new residents in the first place.

Live Wildly – a non-profit working to protect Florida’s wild places, starting with the state’s Wildlife Corridor – is helping find a solution.

As a sponsor of this year’s Florida Planning Conference, Live Wildly is hosting a hands-on workshop, Florida Wildlife Corridor Conservation Planning Tools, with the goal of helping planners and conservationists work smarter together.

This interactive session will use plain language and real-world applications to help attendees master the latest science-backed planning tools, from map viewersec to modeling data to conntivity planning.

Healthy lands and waters are the foundation of Florida’s communities and economies. Florida’s Wildlife Corridor – an 18-million-acre corridor of connected lands and waters covering half the state – supports 114,000 jobs and generates $30 billion in annual revenue through tourism, agriculture, forestry, and other industries.

But at the current rate of development, nearly 7 million acres of Florida’s rural and natural lands – equivalent to the size of Vermont – could disappear over the next 30 years.

Whether you’re a data nerd, a Corridor-curious planner, or just someone who loves Florida too much to lose its natural wonder, this session is for you.

Planning Officials Training Workshop

Tuesday, Sept. 16, 9 am – 4 pm
Maximum: 75 people.
Cost: $45

Registration: You must purchase a Planning Officials Training ticket from the registration options (not as an Add On) for this workshop when you register for the conference. No walk-ins will be accommodated.

This all-day training that is ideal for appointed advisory board members, elected officials, utilities, historic preservation or water board members, city clerks, or a local government employee who is eager to learn more about local planning and zoning fundamentals, land use law, future planning trends, and effective public engagement tactics. All positions and backgrounds are welcome.

TOPICS COVERED:

Merle Bishop, FAICP, on Implementing Comprehensive Planning Techniques + Ethics in Planning. Florida planning as it relates to the comprehensive plan and the land development code will be discussed as well as exploring how they are different in their scope. Review processes for local and state planning will be explained, including state and local jurisdictions for roadways. EAR based amendments will be covered along with various topics related to Florida planning.

Peter Henn, AICP, JD, and Laurie Harari, MURP, AICP, on Navigating Land Use Law Requirements. The legal aspect of planning will be discussed. Bert Harris basics as well as important case law will be discussed as it relates to land use planning. Quasi-judicial versus legislative decisions will be explained. An overview of new legislation will be provided as well as guidance regarding state preemption of local regulations.

Bob Cambric on Inclusive Public Engagement Practices. The planning board’s role versus the planning staff role will be explored. Best practices for public participation, public hearings and meetings will be explained for both in person and virtual meetings in the post COVID world. Meeting procedures will be explored including explaining Roberts Rules of Order. Finally, the Florida Sunshine Law requirements and the state’s code of ethics will be explained.

Owen Beitsch, FAICP, Ph.D., on Private Sector Perspectives on Current and Future Planning Trends. A variety of emerging trends in planning will be presented in this session. Architectural design, green infrastructure, low impact development, resiliency, sustainability and land use and planning in a post pandemic world will be covered.

AICP Exam Training

AICP Exam Prep Seminar

Tuesday, Sept. 16, 9 am – 4 pm
Maximum: 100 people.
Cost: Free (PLEASE NOTE: This workshop is only available to those who have purchased Tuesday-only or full conference registration.)

Registration: You must pre-register for this workshop as an Add On when you register for the conference. No walk-ins will be accommodated.

Gain an overview of the AICP exam, its content, and topic areas. In the morning, learn about successful strategies for applying to take the exam, how to address the five types of questions on the exam, and the abundant local, state, and national resources available to help you prepare for the exam. In the afternoon, gain training in several important exam topic areas (History/Law/Ethics), review past test takers’ comments, work on answering practice questions, and learn how to access the Florida Chapter study materials, including presentations, materials, and practice exams. Plenty of time will be available for your questions.

Speakers:

Henry F. Bittaker, FAICP – APA Florida Treasure Coast Section PDO. Henry has prepared more than 1,100 planners to successfully pass the AICP Exam. He has served as an APA Peer Reviewer in the AICP application process, was one of ten national faculty, along with Susan Coughanour, for APA’s 3.0 AICP exam prep guide, and authored about a third of APA’s new 2020/2021 CPC AICP Exam Study manual. Before retiring in 2011, he spent 14 years working in growth management at the Department of Community Affairs and 14 years working on Everglades and water planning issues at the South Florida Water Management District.

Susan M. Coughanour, FAICP – Program Chair, Treasure Coast Section. Susan is currently the APA Florida Treasure Coast Section’s Program Chair and, with Henry Bittaker, has run the Treasure Coast AICP Study Group since 2004. She and Henry were the co-recipients of the 2011 APA CPC National Leadership Award for their Chapter volunteer efforts, including the APA Florida Treasure Coast Section AICP Study Group. She also works extensively with FAU’s planning faculty and students, including the planning school’s accreditation. Before retiring in 2011, she spent 36 years working on regulatory, Everglades, land management, natural resource protection and water planning issues at the South Florida Water Management District.

Peter Henn, AICP, Esq. – FAU Department of Urban & Regional Planning. Peter is a faculty member at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in the Department of Urban & Regional Planning where he teaches urban planning, urban design, site planning, and land use and zoning law. Peter started his career as a land use attorney at Florida’s largest law firm and later transitioned into the real estate development industry, where he planned and developed numerous communities. He is a member of The Florida Bar and is an AICP certified planner. He received his J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law and received his B.A. and M.A. in Economics from FAU.

Melissa Dickens, AICP – APA Florida Vice President of Professional Development. Melissa is the Division Director of Strategic Planning, Environmental and Research for the Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission. She has 18 years of public and private sector planning experience in the in the Tampa Bay area. In her current role, she manages a Division responsible for policy updates to local government Comprehensive Plans, special area studies, engagement, and demographics. Ms. Dickens currently serves as the Vice President of Professional Development for APA Florida, and previously served as Vice Chair of APA National’s Women and Planning Division as well as APA Florida’s VP Communications and Sun Coast Section Chair. Ms. Dickens holds a Master of City Planning and a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies, both from the University of Pennsylvania.

Shaping the Narrative: Affordable Housing Messaging

Shaping the Narrative: Affordable Housing Messaging – Four Parts

Tuesday, Sept. 16

Part 1: 10 – 11 am

Part 2: 11:15 am – 12:15 pm

Part 3: 12:30 – 1:30 pm

Part 4: 1:45 – 2:45 pm

AICP CM credits: 4

This interactive workshop equips participants with practical tools to effectively communicate affordable housing projects. Through hands-on activities, attendees will craft compelling narratives, address objections, and build trust with stakeholders. The session covers stakeholder mapping, tailored value propositions, and strategic engagement planning to ensure clear, impactful messaging.

Part 1: We kick off with what works—and what doesn’t. Real-world case studies, common pitfalls, and lessons from the field will ground you in the challenges and opportunities of communicating about affordable housing. This session sets the stage for everything that follows.

Part 2: Behind every housing project is a web of people shaping its fate. This session dives into how to identify decision-makers, influencers, and blockers—and what motivates them. You’ll learn how to read the room, build coalitions, and prepare for pushback.

Part 3: What do people need to hear—and why should they care? We’ll break down how to tailor your message to different audiences using personas and problem framing. You’ll walk away with tools to build compelling, relevant narratives.

Part 4: Good communication is planned, not improvised. This final session ties it all together with a focus on designing the full journey—from first contact to long-term support. Learn how to create storyboards and touchpoints that build trust and momentum.

Strategic Doing: Beyond 3 Minutes at the Microphone

Tuesday, Sept. 16, 1 – 5 pm
Cost: FREE
Maximum: 64 persons
AICP CM credits: 4

Registration: You must pre-register for this workshop as an Addon On when you register for the conference. No walk-ins will be accommodated.

Public participation in planning is often polarized and ineffective. This workshop introduces Strategic Doing, a proven method for fostering collaboration and turning input into action. Used for over 20 years across sectors like health, education, and economic development, it helps shift engagement from opposition to solutions. Learn how to apply Strategic Doing to Special Area and Neighborhood Planning, creating meaningful dialogue, streamlining efforts, and driving real community change through an inclusive approach.

Speakers:

Leslie Olson, AICP, brings 17 years of public and private sector planning experience, specializing in strategic engagement to drive meaningful change. She thrives in leading conversations with divided communities, transforming conflict into collaborative solutions for complex challenges. In leadership roles with St. Lucie County and the City of Fort Pierce, she spearheaded long-term community engagement efforts to shape neighborhood plans with passionate stakeholders. Now, as Principal of District Planning Group, Leslie helps clients navigate public concerns, ensuring projects reflect community needs. Her expertise lies in fostering dialogue, building consensus, and crafting plans that balance diverse perspectives for lasting impact.

Jane Rogan believes in the power of collaborative networks and trusting partnerships to create innovative opportunities for community-identified sustainable futures. As a Strategic Doing Fellow, Jane teaches others how to harness the power of networked collective effort to achieve results with real impact. Jane grew up on the edge of Cheshire plain and the Peak District in the northwest of England and now calls Cleveland, OH, home. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in business studies from Birmingham City University (UK) and a Master of Science in higher education from Indiana University, Bloomington.

Mark Satterlee, AICP. Mark is the principal of Planning & Economic Strategies, helping residents, businesses, and developers navigate regulations and support economic development. He served as Planning Director for Vero Beach and St. Lucie County and as Deputy County Administrator, overseeing Planning & Development, Utilities, Public Works, and Environmental Resources. He was also part of the command staff for multiple hurricane activations. Mark has served on the Economic Development Council Board and is a Treasure Coast Food Bank board member. He holds a Master of City Planning from Georgia Tech and has been AICP certified since 1992.

Kara Wood, M.Arch., co-principal of District Planning Group, has 22 years of experience in architecture, urban design, and land development regulations. She earned a Master of Architecture from the University of Miami, studying under Vincent Scully, Michael Graves, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, and Andres Duany. After designing hotels and historic renovations in Miami Beach and the Bahamas, she moved to Fort Pierce, advancing to Planning Manager for St. Lucie County. Kara now focuses on collaborative urban planning and co-owns Hi-Tide Boat Lifts, her family’s manufacturing company in Fort Pierce.

Mark Huey has more than a 35-year C-level Florida career in the private, non-profit, and public sectors, Mark has extensive experience leading growth and organizational performance excellence in challenging, complicated settings. One of his leadership roles included heading up Tampa’s community planning and community redevelopment agency for eight years. Mark’s company, GrowthWorks Consulting, specializes in agile strategic planning, complex collaboration, project management, and facilitation. As a certified Strategic Doing workshop leader, Mark possesses nationally recognized skills for leading agile planning and complex collaborations. Mark earned a BSBA from the University of Florida and an MBA from the Wharton School of Business.

Harnessing the Power of Placemaking: Extreme Heat Edition!

Tuesday, Sept. 16, 1 – 3 PM
Cost: FREE
Maximum: 125 persons
AICP CM credits: 2

Between 2018 and 2022, Florida had the highest rates of heat-related illness in the U.S., with over 25% of residents vulnerable to extreme heat. As heatwaves become more frequent, cities must prioritize strategies to protect older adults and other vulnerable populations from heat-related illnesses. In this session, international non-profit 8 80 Cities will present creative and effective placemaking strategies, policies, and management approaches that communities, locally and globally, have implemented to address extreme heat and build community – big and small. It will culminate in an inspiring dialogue followed by an action planning session to explore how to bring these strategies to life in your communities.

Speakers:

Tennesha Joseph, 8/80 Cities
Joanna Delos Reyes, 8/80 Cities

I Want to Be More Creative! Understanding the Creative Process and Applying It to Your Planning Career

Tuesday, Sept. 16, 3 – 5 PM
Cost: FREE
Maximum: 30 persons
AICP CM credits: 2

Registration: You must pre-register for this workshop as an Add On when you register for the conference. No walk-ins will be accommodated.

In this session, attendees will be guided through the steps or dimensions of The Creative Process and will engage in a series of simple but perspective shifting activities to illustrate The Creative Process. Worksheets, will be provided, as will arts and crafts supplies! Along the way, Julia will point out how each of these steps of The Creative Process, separately and taken together as a whole, can be applied to one’s planning career to help participants: 1. Work through their fears of public speaking, 2. identify their personal strategic plan, 3. find innovative solutions to problems, 4. expand their sense of their own levels of creativity, and 5. develop an awareness of how to apply The Creative Process to their present and future career.

Instructor:

Julia B. Davis, AICP, is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University with a BS in Urban and Regional Planning and a minor in film making. Her career has spanned 40 years in transportation, transit and paratransit planning. Her career began at Lee Tran, the Lee County transit agency in Fort Myers, Florida. Julia then worked at the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council/Lee MPO where she managed the planning requirements for the Transportation Disadvantaged program for four counties. Julia has been creating modules of The Creative Express Workshop since 1990. These modules help people access their creative talents and combine personal strategic planning with innovative problem solving techniques. Julia earned the Certified Life Coach credentials with an emphasis in Creativity through Edison Community College (now Florida Southwestern State College) in 2009.

Salary Negotiation Seminar: Learn How to Ask for What You Are Worth

Tuesday, Sept. 16, 3 – 5 PM
Cost: $20
Maximum: 40 persons
AICP CM credits: 2
Required: Attendees will be asked to send a resume in advance

Registration: You must pre-register for this workshop as an Add on when you register for the conference. No walk-ins will be accommodated.

The APA Florida Chapter Planning for All Committee and the Sun Coast Section are co-hosting a Salary Negotiation Seminar and invite you to learn how to ask for what you (and your expertise) are worth.

The seminar will equip attendees with practical tools to advocate for equitable compensation in the planning profession.

This interactive session will be focused on empowering planners to confidently navigate salary discussions. It will address common challenges in compensation negotiations and provide strategies to overcome them, fostering a culture of transparency and equity within the planning field.

Instructors:

Lara Bouck, AICP, PE
Corinne Arriaga, AICP, MPH