President’s Message – January

Hello Georgia Planners,

Happy New Year! If you are like me, your year is off to a quick start, your calendars are filled, and you’re already planning ahead for February. So with that in mind, please mark your calendars now for the 2024 Georgia Planning Conferences. The 2024 Spring Conference will be Wednesday, March 27 at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park. The 2024 Fall Conference will be October 8 through 10 at the Marriott Augusta Convention Center. Thank you to our upcoming host cities. We are looking forward to our visit and opportunities for sharing ideas and networking.

For 2024, please consider how you might get actively involved in Georgia Planning, whether it be joining a committee, developing a session for a conference, considering a nomination to serve on the GPA Board of Directors, submitting an article for our monthly newsletter, The Georgia Planner, or becoming an annual sponsor. As I have learned, the more you contribute to an organization, the more you receive in return. If you have questions about how to get involved, reach out to me or one of our committee chairs. We are here to serve each other, and our organization is stronger when we all work together to support our mission, “To provide leadership to plan and build vibrant communities throughout Georgia; advocate support for sound planning; and provide our members with tools, services, and support that advance the art and science of planning.”

I also ask that you help us expand our membership. Is there a new planner in your office? Ask them if they are a member of GPA. And don’t forget to renew your membership. We are an organization of nearly 1,000 planners across the state but we know we can expand our membership further.

I look forward to serving alongside you as President of the Georgia Chapter of the American Planning Association through 2025. Let’s strive to be the best chapter in the country!

Best Regards,

Kristen Wescott, AICP