As we head into the fall season, I wanted to make sure that our 1,300+ strong APA Washington members are aware of a few upcoming opportunities for your engagement and input.

We want to remind you about the Student Scholarship Silent Auction, which will be held on Thursday, October 8th during the reception portion of this year’s APA WA Chapter annual conference in Vancouver.

APA WA Allied Professions and APA Transportation Planning Division (TPD) encourage planners from all specialties and jurisdictions to register for and attend two important conferences this autum.

It’s back-to-school season! Read more about all the ways you can earn CM credits this fall, including opportunities for Ethics, Law, and Sustainability and Resilience CM credits. Check out our curated list of nationally relevant webinars, along with some Washington-specific learning opportunities brought to you by the APA Washington Puget Sound Section, MRSC, and the Puget Sound Regional Council.

The Youth in Planning Taskforce (an APA Washington committee) helps connect planners to opportunities to engage with youth.

The 2026 AICP exam offers Regular and Pilot options, with the Pilot Exam available for $100. APA also provides exam prep resources, office hours, and study group opportunities for candidates.

Get ready to celebrate!! Through the efforts of planners like you, the well-being of all people living in our communities improves! Planners leverage their professional expertise to provide data-driven insights and a comprehensive long-term vision for the future. This approach leads to safer, more resilient, more equitable, and more prosperous communities.

Mark your calendars for an exciting evening exploring the transformation of urban waterfronts. On Thursday, October 22, 2026, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM, in the UW Architecture Hall (Room 147) WA APA and the UW Urban Design and Planning Professionals Council will host a dynamic panel discussion featuring three highly accomplished planning professionals.

The Community Planning Assistance Team (CPAT) is a committee and program of APA Washington to provide community planning assistance to communities that lack planning resources.

For a week this past May, planners from several states participated in a unique course to earn credits towards certification maintenance. Set in an ancient hilltop town in east central Italy, the course included lectures and field trips to other towns and sites, including an active archaeological dig and a social farm.

Climate-resilience planning often focuses on preparing a strong plan, establishing goals, and identifying projects. However, a plan’s real value depends on what happens after adoption. Communities need to know whether their strategies are reducing vulnerability, improving infrastructure performance, and protecting residents when disruptions occur.

Each month, we're featuring standout planning-related content—books, podcasts, films, and more. Read this month's Planner's Pick.

Got a favorite? Send it our way for next month’s picks!