Who to Contact
For media questions, please contact the following person/s based on your question. If leaving a message, please provide the nature of your question, deadline and contact information.
For Policy and Legislation:
Eric Phillips, Vice President for Policy and Legislation
[email protected]
Lauren De Valencia y Sanchez, Legislative Advocate
[email protected]
For Editorial & Publication Content:
Ellie Fiore, AICP, Vice President for Public Information
[email protected]
About APA California
Chartered in 1978, the American Planning Association, California Chapter (APA California) aims to provide the vision and leadership that fosters better planning in California through its network of more than 4,500 practicing planners, citizens and elected officials committed to urban, suburban, regional and rural planning. APA California offers a wide spectrum of benefits to its members including information, services, professional development, networking and support to advance planning in California. The California Chapter is the largest of 47 American Planning Association chapters nationwide.
Local Sections
APA California consists of eight local Sections:
Leadership
The APA California Board of Directors represents the breadth and geographic diversity of planning in California. An election is held every year to elect a 20 member voting Board as well as many other appointed members. The Board meets three times a year at various locations.
Annual Conference
APA California’s statewide annual conference provides networking and educational opportunities for its members. Planning professionals from throughout California, across the United States, and around the world attend the conference each year.
Conferences typically include an opening reception, keynote speakers, concurrent tracks of programs and seminars including practical “nuts and bolts” sessions, mobile workshops to local planning related venues, the APA California Awards Dinner, and the California Planning Foundation Auction to fund scholarships for planning students.
Legislative Program
Developing leadership positions on major legislative initiatives, including regionalism, regulatory reform, the economy, the environment and social equity, APA California sponsors legislation and programs that promote sound planning across California. A Legislative Review Committee holds meetings three times a year to discuss hot topics and bills for the legislative program to focus on every year. Lobbying firm Stefan/George Associates represents APA California.
Continuing Education and Scholarships
APA California established the California Planning Foundation in 1970 as a non-profit, charitable corporation with the goal of furthering the professional practice of planning in California. The Foundation focuses primarily on awarding scholarships to talented university students who demonstrate financial need and academic excellence in California’s university planning programs. The Foundation also fosters professional development through the sponsorship of workshops, publications, research studies and other continuing educational program.