Planners' Forums
The Planners’ Forums are a combined effort on behalf of Department of Commerce, the Planning Association of Washington, and the Washington Chapter of the American Planning Association to educate and support planners throughout our state with new and important topics to planning.
The Planners’ Forums offer a unique opportunity – at no charge – for planners, planning commissioners, elected officials and community members to talk informally about local issues, to share ideas and to receive updates from state and federal agencies whose work may impact land use. The Planners’ Forums also satisfy requirements for credentialed planners toward professional development through advanced-level presentations provided by professionals on an array of timely and relevant planning subjects. Registration is not necessary for this training.
The Washington State Department of Commerce, the Planning Association of Washington and the Washington Chapter of the American Planning Association collaboratively present the Regional Planners’ Forums.
Forum Schedule
Links will be updated as materials and zoom details are made available:
Eastern Planners’ Forum
Spring Planners’ Forum
Wednesday, April 17, 2024 from 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Virtual Meeting
Click for the current draft Agenda (PDF)
Register here – Zoom Link
Current and past forum materials.
Click on the following link to see a recording of the Winter 2024 EA Planners’ Forum.
Eastern Forum CM credits:
Northwest Planners’ Forum
Winter Planners’ Forum
Thursday, February 8, from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Click for the current Agenda (PDF)
In-person meeting with registration.
Current and past forum materials (PDF).
Click on the following link to see a recording of the Fall 2023 NW Planners’ Forum.
Northwest Forum CM credits:
Peninsula Planners’ Forum
Thursday, May 2, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Click for the current Agenda (PDF)
Register here – Zoom link
Current and past forum materials.
Peninsula Forum CM credits:
Southwest Planners’ Forum
Spring Planners’ Forum
Thursday, April 18, 2024 from 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Click for the current draft Agenda (PDF)
Register here – Zoom Link
Current and past forum materials.
Click on the following link to see recordings of recent SW forums: Fall 2023 Vimeo and Summer 2023 Vimeo.
Southwest Forum CM credits:
Planners' Forums on Equity and Inclusion
Fall 2021 NW Planners’ Forum
On Monday, September 28, Commerce and the South Sound Section of APA-WA held an evening planners’ forum on “Integrating Equity in Planning”. Alex Brennan, Executive Director of Futurewise, and Charles Patton, Equity Manager at the Puget Sound Regional Council, provided information on how their organizations are addressing equity and environmental justice in their planning work. Click here to watch the forum.
Quick Links
- Growth Management
- Governor's Smart Communities Awards
- Climate Program
- Planning for Housing
- Laws and Rules - Growth Management Act
- Periodic Updates - Growth Management Act
- Growth Management Grants
- Growth Management Topics
- Guidebooks and Resources
- Civilian-Military Compatibility
- Defense Community Compatibility
- Ecosystem Services Program
- Regional Planners' Forums
- Short Course on Local Planning
- Submitting Materials to the State
- Tribal Planning Coordination
Need Help?
Eastern Washington
Ben Serr, AICP Eastern Regional Manager
Email: Ben.Serr@commerce.wa.gov
Phone: 509-724-1699
Northwest Washington
Lexine Long, AICP Senior Planner
Email: Lexine.Long@commerce.wa.gov
Phone: 360-480-4498
Peninsula
Carol Holman, MUP Western Regional Manager
Email: Carol.Holman@commerce.wa.gov
Phone: 360-725-2706
Southwest Washington
Catherine McCoy, Senior Planner
Email: Catherine.McCoy@commerce.wa.gov
Phone: 360-280-3147