4th Monday of every month, noon to 1pm

Monday, September 27, 12pm-1pm

Using Technology to Improve Small Urban and Rural Transit 

This webinar will provide an overview of service delivery innovation and transit technology best practices for public transportation in small and rural communities. It will begin with an  overview of national promising practices that will cover areas such as accessibility, passenger information and general transit feed specification (GTFS)/GTFS-Flex, fare payment, and microtransit. Following this overview, the presenters will share the findings from the Public Transportation in Appalachia report, which included a transit service inventory and assessment covering the 420 counties across 13 states (including Virginia) served by the Appalachian Regional Commission. Best practices and challenges in implementing new technologies across the Appalachian region will be explored. 

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Monday, October 25, 12pm-1pm

Using Food as Economic Development

From the Food Network to Lanesboro Local, interest in local foods is burgeoning. Nearly every publication - from small town papers, to the New York Times, to the American Journal of Agricultural Economics - is covering this re-localization of the food system. While much of the infrastructure related to local foods has been dismantled in favor of the efficiencies of consolidation, there is renewed interest in place-based foods and local products. With this slow but increasing favoring of the local (not only in foods, but other goods and services) the local movement can have a “rising tide” effect on towns and regions alike. Thus, community leaders are recognizing the potential for "local food" as a vibrant economic driver.

This webinar provides an in-depth look at how local food, and local food systems, can help drive economic development. Participants will learn about the market environment (e.g. demand for local foods as well as market influences and challenges), business considerations (e.g. production, distribution, and infrastructure), and recommendations as to how planners and policymakers can promote economic development by supporting local food initiatives.

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Have you missed a past webinar and want to watch it?  Visit our YouTube page! All recorded webinars are eligible for CM credits

Interested in presenting? Email us! info@apavirginia.com

Additional CM Credit Opportunities

COVID PROTOCOLS

There is an inherent risk of exposure to COVID in any public space and exposure is possible despite following all recommended guidelines. As such, we are requiring all attendees to wear masks, regardless of their vaccination status, while indoors on hotel property during the conference. By attending APA Virginia’s Annual conference, you are assuming all risks related to exposure to COVID-19. APA Virginia will not be liable for any real or perceived exposure to COVID-19 or other transmitted condition.

If you do not feel comfortable with APA Virginia measures, there is a virtual ticket option available.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW! 

Act fast, there are very limited tickets available.

Join APA Virginia for part two of our annual conference! 

Part two of our conference will take place as a hybrid* format, both online and in person. The in-person format will be hosted at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, in Roanoke, Virginia October 20-22 (conference programming will begin on Thursday, October 21). 

For those able to attend in person, we are offering mobile tours, in two time blocks on Wednesday, October 20th! Be sure to grab your tickets for those before they sell out! Please see here for more information regarding mobile tours.

*Some sessions will be live-streamed and recorded for those unable to attend in person. 

Hotel accommodations can be made by Individual Call-In or by clicking here no later than Friday, September 24, 2021 to secure the Chapter rate of $179/night. Reservations made after this date are subject to the availability of the hotel and their current rates.

Please call the hotel directly at 540-985-5900 or toll free at 866-594-4722 (between the hours of 8:00am – 5:30pm Monday thru Friday) and ask for the Virginia Chapter of the American Planning Association room block.

APA VA wants to hear from you! As in every community we plan, there are stories to its citizens. As a community of planners, we would like to highlight some of our amazing planners across the Commonwealth. If you or someone you know has a great planning story to tell, please reach out to Robert Narvaez, AICP, Director of Inclusion or anyone on the APA VA Board. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Download APA Virginia's Preliminary Legislative Report to read a list of key bills passed during the 2021 General Assembly session.

The following report lists key bills passed by the 2021 General Assembly. The current status of the bill is shown after the bill summary. If the status says “Approved by the Governor” then the bill has completed the process and generally takes effect on July 1, 2020. If the status says “Governor's Action Deadline, March 31, 2021” then the bill has been sent to the Governor for his action (approval, veto or suggestion of amendment). The Reconvened session, to consider Governor’s amendments and vetos, will be on Wednesday, April 7. Joint Resolutions do not go to the Governor and are approved once signed by Speaker of the House and President of the Senate.

*You will be directed to a new page*

Planners continue to play an essential role in community response to the pandemic. From holding online public meetings, to positioning your community for economic recovery, to using data analysis to ensure the recovery is equitable, you need information to help you serve your community. Visit our COVID-19 resources collection, organized by topics that are foremost in your mind.

Below is a link to the Department of Labor's COVID-19 resources and guides.

Click here for APA National's resources