Continuing Education Opportunities – October + November 2026

Fall is in full swing! Keep scrolling to explore upcoming opportunities to earn CM credits this October and November beyond the APA Washington Conference. This month’s lineup features a mix of national and regional topics, with free online sessions covering everything from historic preservation and federal planning to transit-oriented development and design thinking.

Description: Historic and vintage signs are more than relics of the past. They are community landmarks that contribute to local identity, cultural heritage, tourism, and economic development. This session explores best practices for preserving and regulating these iconic assets through case studies from communities across the country. Participants will learn practical approaches to overcoming regulatory barriers, supporting restoration efforts, and incorporating historic signs into broader placemaking and downtown revitalization initiatives. Drawing on examples from Utah and beyond, the session will also provide historical context on the evolution of vintage signs and their enduring role as valued cultural and community assets. Attendees will receive a complimentary copy of Sign Research Foundations’ Saving Historic & Vintage Signs.

Federal Planning Trends and Installation Planning

Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Cost: Free

Organizer: APA Federal Planning Division

Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Ybo_FkK7Tt-GxNEJ1EvZjQ#/registration

Description: The session will include federal planner speakers discussing topics such as the history of federal planning, military installation planning guidance, and federal trends. The Federal Planning Division aims to increase federal planning visibility among the broader American Planning Association membership. The Federal Planning Division is a community of professionals dedicated to supporting comprehensive planning and land management policies, techniques, and procedures for federal properties located within the United States and overseas.

TOD on a Roll: Making the Most of New Transit Connections

Do traditional methods of public engagement capture the spirit and interest of a place when shareholders and key stakeholders are excluded from the decision making table? What happens when planning conversations prioritize connections, equity, and justice? APA Women & Planning Division and APA Design Thinking in Planning Interest Group invite you to learn the basics of the Design Thinking method. "Design Thinking" offers planners a human-centered approach to problem solving and more effective ways to discover, explore, and respond to complex, community-based issues. Presentations and hands-on collaborative workshopping will shift your perspective on barriers and limitations, encourage collaborative and diverse participation, and cultivate a growth-oriented mindset. Be prepared to leave this session with a refreshed approach to traditional problem solving and the skills and confidence you need to apply Design Thinking methods in YOUR community!