February 16, 2026 Shape the future of planning: Call for Proposals for 2026 OPPI Conference The Call for Proposals is now open for the 2026 OPPI Conference, taking place September 16-18, 2026, at Blue Mountain Village and online. This year’s conference will bring together Registered Professional Planners (RPPs), pre-candidates, candidates, students, academics, and allied professionals to explore how the planning profession is responding to rapid change—and stepping into leadership roles that serve communities in the public interest. The conference will address critical and timely issues shaping planning today, including housing affordability and supply, demographic change, equity and representation, technological innovation, artificial innovation, neurodiversity, and climate resilience. Conference Theme: Learning from Our Past. Planning for the Future. The 2026 theme invites participants to reflect on planning’s histories while looking ahead to the challenges and opportunities that will define its future. How can past practices, lessons, and perspectives inform more equitable, resilient, and forward-looking approaches to planning? While proposals are encouraged—but not required—to align with the theme, OPPI has developed a set of essential questions to help guide prospective speakers in shaping their submissions. Educational Priorities Guided by and informed by member feedback, peer-to-peer networking, and broader societal conversations, priority consideration will be given to proposals addressing the following areas: Equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism in planning, including Indigenous histories, cultures, Treaties, sovereignty, self-determination, Indigenous and Treaty rights, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), and the identification and dismantling of anti-Black racism, systemic discrimination, and institutional racism in planning practice. Neurodiversity in planning practice, including awareness of different neurocognitive experiences, inclusive and accessible work and engagement practices, and the value of neurodivergent perspectives in decision-making and professional environments. Artificial intelligence literacy and responsible use, including understanding how AI works in practice, its applications in planning, and the ethical, privacy, accountability, and governance considerations that guide its appropriate use. Women and gender diversity in planning, including gender equity, inclusive and respectful professional environments, and the recognition of diverse gender identities and experiences in planning practice and decision-making. Climate change in planning practice, including climate science fundamentals, mitigation and adaptation strategies, and the integration of climate resilience into planning and decision-making. Presentation Formats OPPI is accepting proposals across a wide range of learning formats, including concurrent sessions, research and academic presentations, interactive workshops, pre-conference workshops and charrettes, guided excursions, and student presentations. Most sessions will be delivered to hybrid audiences, reaching both in-person and virtual delegates. All submissions will undergo a rigorous peer-review process led by members of OPPI’s Planning Knowledge Exchange (PKE) Committee. Presenters are encouraged to consider accessibility and inclusive delivery when developing their proposals. The Call for Proposals is open now to March 16, 2026. OPPI welcomes proposals that will help shape a thoughtful, engaging, and forward-looking conference program. Full submission details and guidelines are available on the OPPI website. Any questions, please email conference@ontarioplanners.ca. We look forward to receiving proposals! Karenza Sutton-Bennett, PhD Director, Education & Events The views expressed in this blog post are those of the author(s), and may not reflect the position of the Ontario Professional Planners Institute. Post by Karenza Sutton-Bennett Print FaceBook Share Link LinkedIn Share Link Twitter Share Link Email Share Link Back To Home Recent Posts Link to: Shape the future of planning: Call for Proposals for 2026 OPPI Conference Shape the future of planning: Call for Proposals for 2026 OPPI Conference February 16, 2026 Link to: Shape the future of planning: Call for Proposals for 2026 OPPI Conference Link to: Building on Momentum: OPPI’s Learning Journey into 2026 Building on Momentum: OPPI’s Learning Journey into 2026 December 18, 2025 Link to: Building on Momentum: OPPI’s Learning Journey into 2026 Link to: Unlock Flexible, Tailored Learning for Your Entire Organization Unlock Flexible, Tailored Learning for Your Entire Organization December 10, 2025 Link to: Unlock Flexible, Tailored Learning for Your Entire Organization