2026 Delaware Planning Conference & Annual Meeting

Join us on December 9, 2026 at 8:30 AM EST at the Rollins Center, Bally's Dover Casino Resort for this full-day event. Designed for planners, community leaders, advocates, students, and professionals across multiple sectors and disciplines, this conference offers a valuable opportunity for professional development, education, and networking.

Engage in sessions addressing relevant topics impacting the planning community, while fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among diverse participants. Meet an array of issue experts, policymakers, solution seekers, and sponsors to expand your professional network and deepen your understanding of current planning challenges and opportunities.

Info: Network, Visit Sponsors

Info: Welcome, Opening Remarks & Recognition of Sponsors by Delaware Chapter President, Michael Tholstrup, AICP, Planning Manager, Delaware State Parks. Special greetings from Dover City Councilwoman, Tricia K. Arndt, AICP, Assistant Director, Planning Division of Transportation Resilience & Sustainability, Delaware Department of Transportation.

Info: In Delaware, the passage of recent legislation - SB 23 and HB 450 - has created a statewide discussion regarding local control of land use. While SB 23 sponsors believe the bill sets a goal and provides local governments the flexibility to address housing challenges in ways that preserve local character, many local governments see the bill as a heavy-handed approach that vastly changes the local land use process. Panelists will discuss how these new bills chart a new course for land use decisions and the role of local control in land use going forward.

Info: Network, Visit Sponsors

Info: Put your knowledge to the test in this lively, interactive twist on the classic game show! Watch contestants tackle ethical dilemmas, navigate challenging scenarios, and compete for points while exploring the principles and professional responsibilities that guide planners. Audience members will also have opportunities to weigh in, debate real-world ethical challenges, and join the fun. Ethics Jeopardy! promises an entertaining and engaging way to sharpen your ethical judgment and earn AICP Ethics Certification Maintenance (CM) credit.

Info: Network, Visit Sponsors

Info: Network, Visit Sponsors

Info: The rapid growth of cloud computing and artificial intelligence is driving unprecedented demand for data centers - and raising new questions for planners and communities. This session will explore the planning challenges and opportunities associated with data center development, including land use and zoning, energy and water demands, environmental impacts, infrastructure and community resources, quality-of-life concerns, and potential economic benefits. Panelists with different perspectives and areas of expertise will examine how communities can evaluate data center proposals, anticipate their impacts, and develop policies and regulations that balance economic development with broader community goals.

Info: This annual law review will examine recent and precedent-setting land use cases from Delaware and throughout the US, highlighting legislation and emerging legal trends that are shaping the future of zoning, comprehensive planning, and development regulations. Designed for professional planners, policy makers and civic leaders across multiple sectors, participants will gain essential legal context to help communities navigate within an evolving regulatory landscape.

Event venue

Rollins Center, Bally's Dover Casino Resort, 1131 North Dupont Highway, Dover, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.

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