MPCA Corner

Registration is now open for the 36th Annual Maryland Planning Commissioners Association (MPCA) Conference in Aberdeen, to be held November 6-7, 2019. The theme for this year is Meeting the Trends, Embracing the Future, and the agenda will be filled with sessions on timely topics that Maryland’s citizen planning boards currently face and will likely face in the future. The MPCA decided on this theme following two regional workshops this year (Hagerstown, Annapolis), at which participants expressed an interest in learning more about strategies to address emerging trends in the areas of housing, redevelopment, and public engagement.  See the recently posted notes from the Hagerstown and Annapolis meetings on the MPCA webpage. These are exciting areas for both growth and enhanced education.

The MPCA is still finalizing the 2019 conference agenda, however session topics will include:

• Open Meetings Act Training
• State Mandated Planning Commissioner Education Course
• Planning Commissioner Ethics and Ex Parte Communication
• Nuts and Bolts of Being a Planning Commissioner
• Housing Trends
• Working with the Public

City of Aberdeen staff and other experts will also update attendees on local planning efforts and topics, including a tour on Wednesday, with additional details to be determined.

The MPCA is partnering with the APA MD chapter to develop a few sessions that will be eligible to earn AICP CM Credits. 

Please visit the conference website to learn more and to register.

planning.maryland.gov/Pages/YourPart/MPCA/mpcaconf.aspx

The conference will include ample opportunities for networking and the sharing of best practices and lessons learned.

The MPCA is also seeking conference sponsors. All sponsors will have direct access to conference offerings and networking opportunities. The modest requested amount will go a long way in helping the small, volunteer-based organization continue to expand its educational and assistance offerings to Maryland’s citizen planners year-round. Learn more about sponsorship opportunities in the link above. 

We hope to see you and your fellow board or commission members in Aberdeen this November!

If you have any questions, please contact Joe Griffiths at 410-767-4553 or at joseph.griffiths@maryland.gov