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 Presidents' 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 is 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.

What's the difference between NPC26 online and the in-person conference?

NPC26 attendees will get access to recordings of the keynotes from NPC26 in Detroit but all other sessions are entirely new. NPC26 is a great introduction to the National Planning Conference, but those you attended NPC26 in Detroit will also learn new things and make fresh connections.

When is NPC26 online?

NPC26 Online will take place May 27–29, 2026.

What are my registration options?

Refer to the registration page for registration rates.

Is the full program posted online?

Yes, the NPC26 online program is available. The program is updated often, so please check back regularly for the latest information.

Do I get access to NPC26 online if I registered for NPC26 in Detroit?

Yes, registration for NPC26 in Detroit includes access to NPC26 online.

What time zone is NPC26 online in?

All times are in Central Standard Time.

I am in the NPC26 online conference and my page will not load. Why is my screen blank?

Attempting to view from a government or privately owned entity (federal, state, city, etc.) may require your IT department to "whitelist" the website to view content. Please contact your IT department in advance to access online content and videos.

How do I get access to the NPC26 online conference?

To view the NPC25 Online Conference, please go to the American Planning Association website and follow the steps below:

Step 1: Visit the conference website

Step 2: Login in the upper right corner

Step 3: Click the "Online Program" button on the homepage

Step 4: Click on any session you would like to view

Step 5: Click the "Join Session" button once the session has started. Please note all sessions are listed and available in CDT.

Having trouble logging in?

Technical assistance is available through the conference platform at any time by clicking the "Technical Support" link located at the bottom of the screen in the green bar or calling (410) 638-9239.

Will closed captioning be available for online sessions?

Yes, there will be closed captions provided for each session.

Can I view NPC26 online sessions after May 29?

NPC26 online sessions will be available on demand for two weeks after the event ends. You can access the sessions through the online program.

How can I access recordings of NPC26 online sessions after the on-demand period ends?

Recordings from Detroit and NPC26 online will be available on Passport in late summer 2026.

Subscribe to Passport

Can my company or other colleagues view NPC26 online sessions with me?

Only the registered attendee is authorized to view NPC6 online content and claim CM credits.

Is it too late to register for NPC26 online?

Registration for NPC26 online will remain open through May 29 at 11:59 p.m. CT. Anyone planning to purchase NPC25 Online via check must send all checks by May 15 via FedEx, USPS, or UPS with tracking information. Any checks after this date will be returned to the sender.

Login and Registration Instructions

To receive the correct member conference rate, you must register using the email address associated with your APA member account.

If you have not logged in since APA's system upgrade in December 2025, you will need to reset your password before logging in. Select "Set Your New Password" on the login screen and follow the instructions in the password reset email you receive. Please note that password reset links are one-time use only.

After registering, you will need to log in to your APA account to customize your conference experience.

Important notes

• APA members should not create a new account. Creating a new account will not be tied to your membership and may result in being charged the nonmember rate.
• We are seeing a high number of password reset emails filtered as spam by institutional or agency email systems. If you do not receive your reset email (including in spam or junk folders), please contact Customer Service.
• If needed, you may provide a personal email address so we can update your account and resend the password reset link.

If you continue to experience login issues, please contact Customer Service for assistance.

Registration Details

Can I register for just one day?

No, one-day registration options are not available.

Is there a way to register several colleagues for NPC26 for without doing it under my non-member account?

Each attendee must register individually using their own APA member account to receive the member conference rate. Group or proxy registration using a non-member account is not available.

How can I update my NPC26 registration profile?

Once your registration is complete, you will be able to log into the program website to access your registration to make updates to your profile.

Does registration include access to conference recordings?

You will have on-demand access to the recorded sessions from NPC26 for two weeks after the online conference. After this, recordings will be available on Passport, APA's e-learning subscription platform.

What is the cancellation policy for NPC26?

A refund can be requested online by Friday, May 8 for the online conference. Cancellations will be subject to a $50 administrative fee. Please send a written cancellation request to registrationchanges@planning.org. Any cancellation requests for the online conference sent after May 26, 2026, will not be accepted.

I'm a member of the media. How can I get a complimentary media pass?

To request one of our limited number of complimentary media registrations, email APA's Senior Communications Manager, Roberta Rewers.

Pricing and Payment Options

Does APA offer any discounted registration rates?

APA does not offer discounted registration rates for any groups, including military, non-profits, AmeriCorps, other associations, etc.

Are there non-profit registration rates?

No, we do not offer non-profit registration rates.

Is it possible to pay through a payment plan?

No, payment plans are not available.

Are you paying by credit card but need to be invoiced first?

To register online with a credit card please visit our registration page. Then to generate the invoice select the correct invoice request form below:

• NPC26 Online Only Registration Invoice

Is it possible to pay with a check?

Yes, you can pay for your registration with a check by filling out a registration invoice request form.
*You must be a current member of APA to request the member and student member discounted rate*

• NPC26 Online Only Registration Invoice

Make checks payable to:

American Planning Association
200 E. Randolph Street, Suite 6900
Chicago, IL 60601
Attn: Accounting Department

All checks and invoice forms should be mailed via FedEx, USPS, or UPS with tracking information. Please send an email with a tracking number to registrationchanges@planning.org. Checks in the wrong amount will not be processed and will be returned to the sender. For NPC26 in-person, checks must be received by April 3. For NPC26 Online, checks must be received by May 15. Any checks received after these deadlines will be returned to the sender.

Are group registration and discounts available?

No, group registration and group discounts are not available.

As a speaker who will only be attending one session, can I register for a single session?

APA does not offer single-session registration, but speakers can submit a guest registration request by emailing speakerinfo@planning.org. Please note that only one guest registration request may be submitted per session, and being granted a guest registration restricts the recipient from purchasing any ticketed events or attending any other part of the conference.

Can I earn CM at NPC26?

AICP members will have the option to earn CM credits during NPC26. General CM and mandatory Law, Ethics, Equity, Sustainability and Resilience credits will be available during the conference.

Will I receive CM credits if I watch the session later, or do I have to watch the sessions as they are scheduled?

Claiming CM credits for watching recorded sessions can only be done through Passport, APA's online learning subscription service. You will be able to claim your CM in Passport at the end of the session recording. Recordings from NPC26 will be available online in Passport later this summer.

Passport is home to on-demand resources and CM-eligible content year-round, including recordings from previous conferences, and is an invaluable resource to the lifelong learner.

Will I be able to obtain CLE/AIA/LA CES credits at NPC?

Sessions at NPC26 exclusively contribute credits toward earning CM. Other credits, such as CLE, LA CES, or AIA, cannot be claimed.

Will any sessions have closed captioning?

We are happy to provide live and recorded closed captioning for the Opening & Closing Keynotes and education sessions held within the convention center. Other live sessions in Detroit are not guaranteed to be recorded. Please include any accessibility needs in your registration form.