President’s Message – December

Season’s Greetings Georgia Planners,

I am honored and thankful to have served as the GPA President over the last two years. What a journey! I am appreciative of our hard working board members and volunteers; our helpers behind the scenes at Biscuit Studios, media and communications; Beth Anne Trombetta, Conference Planner; and Monisha Johnson-Scott, the CPA who makes sure we are keeping up with our tax returns. I am thankful of everyone who has supported our Chapter in small and large ways, including all of the firms and organizations who have provided financial sponsorship to GPA in 2025. I will be serving on the board as Past-President and am especially thankful for the service of Marilyn Hall, Erin Thoresen, Brittany Griffin, and Dr. Gulsah Akar whose board terms end in 2025.

Some 2025 highlights include:

• Over 500 of us attended the Spring and Fall Conference
• Emerging Planners co-hosted a Fall Conference Happy Hour with the University of Georgia Student planners with over 100 attendees
• The Professional Development Committee reviewed and approved 141 CM partnership requests from outside partners
• Conducted the 2025 Mentor Program with five Mentors and twelve Mentees
• Policy and Advocacy Committee members attended a coastal tour of infrastructure and housing development as invited guest of Senator Warnock
• The Awards Committee reviewed 26 awards nominations across 8 different categories and awarded seven Chapter awards at the Fall Conference
• Hosted a joint GPA – Georgia Tech Reception at the National Planning Conference in Denver and welcomed students at a reception for the City Planning Program this fall
• The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee developed a Chapter membership survey to gauge member interest and priorities, help GPA assess how we can better serve members, attract/encourage new members, and broaden our membership
• The Climate Action Committee hosted four speakers to learn about resilience efforts across the state and planned field trips to Kendeda Living Building and Newman Wetlands Center
• Any so many more…

At the final GPA Board meeting on December 5, the GPA adopted a 2026 budget, 2026 work plan, and approved the formation of a Membership Committee. In 2026, I challenge each and everyone to find a way to get actively involved in GPA and strengthen our organization together.

The work continues, and I look forward to see the seeds we’ve planted continue to grow.

As you begin your 2026 planning, add to your calendars “Save the Dates” for the Spring Conference at the Gas South Convention Center in Duluth on March 24 and the Fall Conference at the Marriott Augusta Convention Center September 23-25.

Yours truly, Kristen