President’s Message – May 2026

credit: Hugh Anderson Photography

At the National Planning Conference held in Detroit April 25-28, GPA showed up and showed out! Over 40 Georgia planners attended and 13 presented at sessions. Many chapter members and Georgia Tech alumni, faculty, and students came together for a joint reception co-hosted with Georgia Tech’s School of City & Regional Planning on April 26 held at the beautiful Foundation Hotel.

Speaking of Georgia Tech, the program’s “Team Terminus” won first prize (out of 34 submissions no less) at APA’s Student Planning and Design Competition! The project was a proposal for the redevelopment of the Joe Louis Greenway District in Detroit. Bruce Stiftel reported that “the jury described the Georgia Tech submission as a valuable, story-inspired response based on a strong concept, with powerful graphic use.” Congratulations to Team Terminus members Maria Del Valle (not pictured), Nick Lucovsky, Meryl Pawlick, Andrew Saphie, and Emma Uppelschoten!

We’re also proud to report that the Chapter Presidents Council awarded GPA the Karen B. Smith Award for Overall Achievement, which recognizes chapters for outstanding leadership and innovation. Special thank you to Kristen Wescott for putting together the nomination package, which focused specifically on the success of our mentorship program (shout out to Caroline Evans, Mollie Bogle, and all our members who make that program shine). The Chapter Presidents Council also recognized GPA’s Volunteer of the Year, Sidney Douse. Congrats Sidney! 
 
Next year’s National Planning Conference will be in Houston, May 15-18, 2027; start making plans now to attend!

Best Wishes,

Allison Stewart-Harris
GPA President