Houston, Texas | May 15–18, 2027
The NPC27 Call for Proposals and Reviewers is now closed.
Registration opens in February.
Important Dates to Know
| Proposal submission preparation | July 15–August 5, 2026 |
| Session proposal submission and reviewer portal open | August 5–26, 2026 |
| Mobile workshop proposal submission portal open | August 5–September 23, 2026 |
| Proposals Peer review | September 9–September 23, 2026 |
| Program curation | September–December 2026 |
| Notification of session acceptance | February 2027 |
| Registration opens | February 2027 |
Submission Guidelines
You must be an APA member to submit an education session, a mobile workshop, or to volunteer as a peer reviewer; however, non-members are welcome to present or serve as guides within a proposal. We encourage you to gather a diverse group of experts to create a dynamic presentation.
If your session or mobile workshop is accepted, you will receive a discount on the conference registration for the conference where you'll be presenting.
Proposals are welcome in various formats, including presentations, panel discussions, workshops, and interactive sessions.
Ensure your proposal aligns with at least one of the following focus areas:
- Climate Change, Energy, and the Environment
- Economic Development
- Housing
- Navigating the Political Landscape
- Social Change
- Technology
- Career and the Workplace
- Transportation and Infrastructure
NPC27 Session Formats
Innovation Snapshot
Explore emerging trends, ideas, and approaches through a 30-minute, single-speaker presentation. Highlight a new method, tool, technology, or innovative practice, and provide practical insights to help planners prepare for evolving challenges and opportunities.
Presentation
Deliver a 45-minute structured, slide-driven presentation featuring a real-world planning case study. Guide attendees from concept to implementation and lessons learned, highlighting practical tools, innovative approaches, and actionable insights they can apply in their own work. Up to three presenters may participate.
Panel Discussion
A 45-minute moderated discussion featuring panelists with diverse backgrounds, viewpoints, and organizational affiliations. Rather than delivering formal presentations, panelists engage in a facilitated conversation that explores a central topic from multiple perspectives. Panels may include up to four presenters, including the moderator.
Mandatory Credit
A 60-minute session, with up to four presenters, that addresses one of the four mandatory topics required of AICP-certified planners: Law, Ethics, Equity, or Sustainability and Resilience. Proposals submitted under this format will be carefully evaluated for alignment with AICP mandatory credit requirements. Review the full criteria here: https://www.planning.org/cm/credits/.
Learning Lab
Help participants apply concepts, develop strategies, and identify solutions they can use in their own work through a 90-minute interactive session. Up to four presenters will guide participants through a mix of brief presentations, facilitated discussion, and hands-on problem-solving activities. Handouts, collaborative breakouts, and/or other interactive components are required.
Resources
Peer Review Volunteer Opportunity
Guide to Submitting a Strong Proposal
For any inquiries or further information, please contact education@planning.org.