President’s Message: Reflections on 2024

As we close out 2024, let’s take time to celebrate some of our Chapter’s successes:

  • Nearly 250 of us gathered for the Spring Conference to learn about the ATL’s years of master planning and attending sessions on topics ranging from affordable housing and tax allocation districts to travel demand management. Thank you to Vice President-Programs, Kyethea Clark, and the Programs Committee.
  • The 2024 Mentor Program met from January through June with 15 participants supported by the Mentorship Committee led by Caroline Evans. The Mentor Program also celebrated a milestone of ten years! Thank you to Caroline for her time as Mentor Program Chair.
  • The Chapter co-hosted events at the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech to welcome students to their respective graduate programs in planning.
  • Ten firms supported the Chapter as Annual Sponsors and another ten firms were Spring Conference Sponsors. Thank you to all of you who continue to support the work of the Georgia Chapter. Look for new opportunities to support the Chapter through sponsorships in early 2025!
  • Led by the Chapter Services Committee and Vice President-Chapter Services, Megha Young, 12 monthly Georgia Planner e-newsletters and 11 additional updates were published to keep the membership apprised of news and events throughout the state.
  • Led by the Chapter’s Professional Development Officer, Cristina Pastore, the Chapter provided 69 Continuing Maintenance (CM) and Partnership events, 20 CM credits at the Spring Conference, and assisted AICP-Exam candidates by hosting four AICP-Exam Review sessions and organizing self-directed study committees.
  • Georgia hosted the APA Annual State Legislative Summit Reception from December 4-5. This event brought together Legislative liaisons from Chapters throughout the country as well as APA legislative Public Affairs staff to strategize on how to advance planning priorities at the state level. Thank you to Whitney Shephard, Policy and Advocacy chair and Chapter Past President for helping to organize the Summit.
  • The Chapter continues to have active participation in its many committees. We encourage each of you to get involved in 2025.

Best Regards,
Kristen Wescott, AICP

Published:  December 5, 2024
Back to:  EPG