RDG Out & About: 2026 APA Quad State Conference
RDG's Marty Shukert, Amy Haase, Flavia Tourek, Megan Schott and Charlie Cowell are heading to the APA Quad State Conference to share ideas, lessons learned and practical strategies for creating stronger, more resilient communities.
Event Details
Date: October 28-30, 2026
Location: The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center, Kansas City, Missouri
American Planning Association Quad State Conference
Marty Shukert, Amy Haase, Flavia Tourek, Megan Schott and Charlie Cowell are heading to the APA Quad State Conference to share ideas, lessons learned and practical strategies for creating stronger, more resilient communities.
Across five sessions, these RDGers will explore urban design, comprehensive planning, housing resilience, digital accessibility and professional development — bringing real-world experiences and fresh perspectives to conversations shaping the future of planning across the region.
Thursday, Oct. 29 | 9:15 a.m.
Humanizing College & Metcalf: Creating an Urban District
Speaker: Marty Shukert
Summary: Explore how Overland Park is transforming the auto-oriented College & Metcalf area into a more connected, mixed-use urban district. The session highlights the OP Central Plan, mobility improvements, active transportation, placemaking, design standards and capital projects aimed at creating a more welcoming destination.
Thursday, Oct. 29 | 2:45 p.m.
AIM Norman: Seven Master Plans, One Vision — Now What?
Speaker: Amy Haase
Summary: Learn how Norman, Oklahoma, combined seven master plans into one unified framework and navigated a challenging adoption process. Interactive discussions will focus on moving from policy approval to implementation, with participant insights contributing to a take-home “Post-Adoption Pocket Guide.”
Friday, Oct. 30 | 9:15 a.m.
ADA Goes Digital: What Planners Need to Know About WCAG 2.1
Speakers: Flavia Tourek and Megan Schott
Summary: Get practical guidance on new ADA Title II digital accessibility requirements and what they mean for planners and public agencies. Through hands-on exercises, attendees will learn to identify accessibility issues and improve Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, project websites and other digital content.
Friday, Oct. 30 | 10:30 a.m.
Building a Resilient Housing Supply: Bellevue Papillion Housing Resilience Plan
Speaker: Amy Haase
Summary: Explore findings from the Midwest’s first Housing Resilience Plan and consider how communities can better prepare housing for climate and weather risks. Small-group discussions will examine gaps in current policies and practical land use, zoning and code strategies.
Friday, Oct. 30 | Noon
The Fantastic Four Bring You: The Greatest AICP Exam Prep in the World!
Speaker: Charlie Cowell
Summary: Prepare for AICP certification with an interactive session led by Professional Development Officers from Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. Attendees will explore the exam structure, study strategies, certification requirements and test-taking tips through polling, exam-style challenges and a live quiz competition.
Find more information and register to attend the 2026 APA Quad State Conference here.