2026 Annual Conference
October 18-20
Wind Creek Bethlehem
We are pleased to announce that the City of Bethlehem will host the Pennsylvania Chapter American Planning Association Conference on October 18-20, 2026. This prestigious event will welcome more than 500 planning professionals who will engage in comprehensive training, strategic networking, and professional development activities.
This year’s conference theme “Forging the Next 250 Through Preservation, Innovation, and Collaboration” will comprehensively highlight the growth and future of Pennsylvania’s planning profession, underscoring the Commonwealth’s pivotal role in transforming its history through regional development and innovation.
Sessions will focus on critical topics including land use planning, affordable housing solutions, sustainable infrastructure planning, transportation planning, historic preservation, geographic information systems, and economic development strategies designed to strengthen communities across diverse urban and rural settings. Attendees will gain valuable insights from industry leaders on implementing future-focused planning approaches.
500 planners expected
Over 50 classroom sessions
7 mobile workshops offered
Welcome Reception at Hotel Bethlehem
2026 Annual Awards
State of the APA PA Chapter
Fees
Non-Member
(Out of state APA members are considered non-members. If you’re not a APA member, then you’re considered a non-member.)
Regular Rate (Register by October 7, there is no onsite registration)
Full Registration – $505
Sunday – $200
Monday – $330
Tuesday – $295
Member
(APA members who belong to PA Chapter are considered members.)
Regular Rate(Register by October 7, there is no onsite registration)
Full Registration – $450
Sunday – $155
Monday – $285
Tuesday – $250
Students
Regular Rate (Register by October 7, there is no onsite registration)
Sunday – $95
Monday – $120
Tuesday – $120
Wind Creek Bethlehem
Hotel Details
- Address:
77 Wind Creek Blvd.
Bethlehem, PA 18015 - Standard Guest Room:
$169 - Check-in:
4:00 PM (Check-out at 11:00 AM)
Making a reservation:
The easiest way to make a reservation is online. Rate is good until September 28, but don’t wait to make your reservation. The chapter only has a certain number of rooms in our block and once it’s full, it’s FULL so don’t wait… book now.
Travel
Parking
- Self-Parking is free. Valet parking is also available (additional fee).
Getting Here
Wind Creek Bethlehem
77 Wind Creek Blvd
Bethlehem, PA 18015
Wind Creek Bethlehem is within easy driving distance from New York (only 82 miles and a fast 90 minutes), Philadelphia (50 miles and 60 minutes), and everywhere in between – closer than Atlantic City from both locations.
Diamond Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsors
Exhibitors
- 4ward Planning
- Bowman
- czb
- GovWell
- Hailstone Economic
- Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc.
- Johnson, Mirmiran and Thompson, Inc.
- Lehigh University, Small Cities Lab
- Lehigh Valley Planning Commission
- OHM Advisors
- PA Department of Community & Economic Development
- Strategic Solutions LLC
- West Chester University
- WSP
Advertisers
- 4ward Planning
- Artefact, Inc.
- Buckno Lisicky & Company
- Bowman
- Carroll Engineering Corporation
- County of Northampton
- czb
- Dewberry
- Gilmore & Associates, Inc.
- Hailstone Economic
- Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc.
- G. Petrucci Company, Inc.
- Johnson, Mirmiran and Thompson, Inc.
- Kennedy & Associates
- KingSpry
- Landcore Engineering Consultants, PC
- Lehigh County
- Lehigh University, Small Cities Lab
- Lehigh Valley Planning Commission
- McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC
- Michael Baker International
- Pennoni
- Remington & Vernick Engineers
- Simone Collins Landscape Architecture
- USA Architects
- Temple University
- The Waterfront
- TPD
- University of Pennsylvania
- West Chester University
- Woodmont Properties
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the conference, and what does registration include?
The 2026 APA‑PA Annual Conference is scheduled for October 18–20, 2026, at Wind Creek Bethlehem, located at 77 Wind Creek Blvd, Bethlehem, PA.
Full registration includes access to over 50 classroom sessions, 7 mobile workshops, a Welcome Reception at Hotel Bethlehem, annual awards, and plenary & keynote sessions. You may also register a la carte for one or two days of the conference.
How do I register, and what's the deadline?
Registration is online through the conference page. Registration ends October 7 and will not be available on-site.
How many CM credits can I earn?
Participants can earn up to 12.25 AICP Certification Maintenance (CM) credits for attending sessions, including Sustainability/Resilience, Equity, Law, & Ethics credits.
Where do I find the schedule, hotel info, and parking?
- The full program—including session schedules, mobile workshop details, and hotel and venue information—is available online in the Conference Announcement.
- Full venue information is posted on the official conference page:
How do I become a sponsor or exhibitor?
Details and opportunities for sponsorship, exhibiting, and advertising are on APA PA’s website. You can access APA PA’s Sponsorship Form and Brochure to review available tiers and benefits.
Where can I find materials from past conferences?
APA PA maintains a conference archive. Selected presentations from the 2015 Conference through the current year are available on the Past Conferences page.