Schedule Details 

Welcome to Sioux Falls - Mayor Christine, City of Sioux Falls

Welcome to the Western Planner - Donna Bye, Western Planner President

Smudging Ceremony, Four Directions, & Ancestral Land - Jerry Fogg, Yankton Sioux

Keynote: Culture Builds Communities: The Leadership Behind Great Places - Vaney Hariri, Think 3D

Abstract: Cities are meticulously designed physically yet largely unmanaged experientially. This session explores how ambassador programs function as a critical “human layer” in urban systems, shaping safety perception, wayfinding, and overall place experience in real time. Using Downtown Sioux Falls as a case study, we’ll examine how ambassadors act as on-the-ground connectors, data sources, and experience designers, advancing core planning goals like economic vitality and public space activation. Attendees will leave with a practical, scalable framework for integrating ambassador programs into their own communities as a strategic tool, not just a service.

Presenters

Brandon Hanson, CEO - Downtown Sioux Falls, Incorporated

Brandon Hanson is a downtown strategist and place-maker focused on shaping vibrant, people-centered urban experiences. As a leader at Downtown Sioux Falls (DTSF), he works at the intersection of economic development, public space activation, and community connection, helping position downtown as both a destination and a system that works for everyone. His work emphasizes practical, scalable approaches to building stronger, more engaging cities through human-centered design and operations.

This presentation highlights the development of the Southeast Council of Governments’ (SECOG) regional Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Comprehensive Safety Action Plan, created to address rising safety challenges across a diverse, multi jurisdictional region. The project combines collision analysis, public engagement, equity evaluation, and peer policy review to identify high risk corridors and intersections where targeted investments can deliver the greatest safety benefits. Attendees will learn how SECOG applied a Safe System Approach, developed a data driven High Injury Network, and established an implementation ready project prioritization framework that supports local decision making, coordination, and competitiveness for future safety funding.

Presenters

Sam Trebilcock, Transportation Planner - Houston Engineering

Sam Trebilcock is a Transportation Planner with Houston Engineering in their Sioux Falls office.  Sam has 35 years of planning experience specializing in long-range transportation and traffic studies, bicycle and pedestrian planning, transit planning, and land use planning.

This session explores trust as a planning method for advancing community resilience. Using the Metlakatla Indian Community’s Tribal Hazard Mitigation and Climate Plan as a case study, it shows how a relationship‑centered approach supported the delivery of a FEMA‑approved, culturally grounded plan on an accelerated timeline. The project illustrates how trust‑based collaboration can function as an innovation—enabling clearer decision‑making and alignment between federal requirements and community priorities. Public‑ and private‑sector planners will leave with clear, practical ways to build trust and guide planning processes toward collaborative, high‑quality outcomes.

Presenters

Kelsey Anderson, Planning Supervisor - RESPEC

Kelsey Anderson is a planner with experience in both the public and private sectors and more than a decade of work focused on public engagement, stakeholder involvement, and collaborative planning. She has led and supported planning efforts at the federal, state, tribal, and local levels, including hazard mitigation, transportation, land use, and strategic planning throughout Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. Kelsey approaches her work with a commitment to building trust and amplifying local voices in decision‑making, ensuring community knowledge and priorities meaningfully shape implementable outcomes.

Maija DiSalvo, Senior Planner - RESPEC

Maija DiSalvo is a seasoned planning professional with more than a decade of experience in leadership, strategic and long‑range planning, project management, communications, and financial management. As Planning Services Manager for the Matanuska‑Susitna Borough, she led regional long‑range planning efforts and guided projects from inception through legislative adoption while supporting planning, administrative, and media functions. As a senior planner for RESPEC, Maija brings a thoughtful, collaborative approach to her work and is committed to building resilient communities through innovative, equitable planning and inclusive stakeholder engagement.

We are seeing a dramatic growth in local opposition and backlash to wind and solar farms and now data farms, just at a time when the demand for renewable energy and new datacenters are increasing. What is the role of the local planner and what should we be doing now to be ready before the next HULU (highly unpopular land use) permit hits your desk.  

Presenters

Christopher Shires, AICP, Principal / Vice President - Confluence, Inc.

Christopher Shires, AICP, is Principal and Vice President at Confluence, Inc, with over 30 years of city and county planning experience. Known for his collaborative approach and commitment to sustainable, long-term growth, Chris has guided numerous communities in the Midwest through transformative planning efforts that balance visionary planning with practical solutions. His expertise spans land use planning, development regulations and polices, and urban design, drawing on a comprehensive understanding of regional trends and local needs. 

Kristen Benidt, AICP, Urban Planner - City of Sioux Falls

Kristen Benidt, AICP, is an Urban Planner with the City of Sioux Falls, bringing 11 years of experience in municipal, county, and regional planning. In her current role, she leverages her broad expertise to evaluate proposed developments, guide applicants through the development process, and support the city’s recently updated comprehensive plan through the implementation of the growth management plan.

In a time of growing public apathy towards long-range planning, getting the public’s attention and input has never been harder. In this session we will explore various public engagement techniques, lessons learned, and how to craft an effective and inclusive public engagement and input process to positively impact your public plans. 

Presenters

Chris Shires , Principal and Vice President at Confluence, Inc - Confluence 

Christopher Shires, AICP, is Principal and Vice President at Confluence, Inc, with over 30 years of city and county planning experience. Known for his collaborative approach and commitment to sustainable, long-term growth, Chris has guided numerous communities in the Midwest through transformative planning efforts that balance visionary planning with practical solutions. His expertise spans land use planning, development regulations and polices, and urban design, drawing on a comprehensive understanding of regional trends and local needs.

Fletcher Lacock , Senior Planner - City of Sioux Falls 

Fletcher Lacock, AICP, is a Senior Planner at the City of Sioux Falls with over 15 years of municipal planning experience.  Fletcher guides the city’s future planning division which encompasses long-range comprehensive planning, transportation planning, and regional / MPO coordination.  Fletcher uses his varied experiences from staffing planning commissions, working on MPO corridor studies, and hosting “pop-up tent” events to advocate for authentic public engagement.

Sydney DePrenger, Planner - City of Sioux Falls 

Sydney DePrenger is a municipal planner with four years of experience, currently specializing in long-range planning. She helps manage the comprehensive plan and works on initiatives including annexations, sub-area planning, and transportation planning. She also has experience in zoning and planning commission processes, with a strong focus on public engagement and community collaboration.

AI is rapidly entering planning workflows as expectations for speed, volume, and quality continue to increase. As a result, AI is becoming less optional and more embedded in daily practice. While it can improve efficiency, it also introduces risks related to accuracy, bias, and transparency. This interactive session helps planners navigate that reality while maintaining professional judgment, ethical responsibility, and public trust through real-world examples and hands-on scenarios.

Presenters

Niki Galehouse, AICP, Senior Planner - KLJ Engineering

Niki Galehouse is a Senior Planner with KLJ Engineering, coming from a 12 year career in the public sector. She was most recently the Planning Manager in Grand Junction, CO and is passionate about creating codes that work for the communities they serve. Niki holds a Bachelor of Science in Sustainability & the Built Environment and a Master of Urban & Regional Planning.

Kat Herbert, Planner - KLJ Engineering

Kat is an urban planner with eight years of experience in planning and municipal clerk roles. She has worked across several Western Slope communities and is skilled in development review, long-range planning, and interpreting local land use codes. Kat holds a bachelor's degree in International Relations.

As we see increased energy uses and consolidation of large scale industrial uses, managing and permitting these uses in a responsible manner becomes increasingly important. This session will examine uses, mitigation, how to address these uses in your codes, and how to work with neighbors who may be ""fired up"". 

Presenters

Rachel Laqua, AICP, Planning Director, Interstate Engineering; President, NDPA - NDPA

Rachel is the Planning Director for Interstate Engineering, based out of Williston, ND.

Join a dynamic group of panelists building a more connected Spearfish through trails. The City of Spearfish and Spearfish Trails Coalition (STC), a local non-profit, present a model for effective public-private partnership.

Presenters

Jaymia Ecker , Assistant Planning Director  - City of Spearfish 

Emily Brown , STC President  - SRAM

Step into the story of historic downtown Sioux Falls on this guided walking tour shaped by water, stone, and community vision. Discover how the Big Sioux River powered early industry, how locally quarried Sioux Quartzite defined the city’s architectural identity, and how downtown evolved from a commercial hub to the vibrant heart of the city today.

Participants will:

• Learn how natural assets and historic materials influenced downtown development

• Understand key planning decisions and reinvestment efforts that shaped downtown’s evolution

• Gain insight into how historic preservation and modern placemaking work together to support long-term vitality

What if communities used mobility to shape development patterns today, rather than allowing growth to dictate mobility options tomorrow? This session introduces Mobility-Oriented Development (MOD), a practical framework connecting land use, corridor planning, and everyday transit service to create stronger, more connected communities while positioning them for future investments. Using the Greeley Mobility Development Plan as a case study, we’ll explore how to identify priority corridors, redesign service to better connect people to destinations, and plan mobility hubs that support long-term growth. Attendees will leave with actionable ideas to improve access and rethink how mobility can guide community development at any scale.

Presenters

Hanna Feldmann, Interim Senior Urban Transportation Planner - City of Greeley

Hanna Feldmann is the Interim Senior Urban Transportation Planner for the City of Greeley, where she advances equitable, safe, and connected transportation options for residents. Her perspective centers on how policy, processes, and investment decisions can expand access and improve everyday mobility.

Victoria Leonhardt, AICP, Northern Colorado Market Lead - Felsburg Holt & Ullevig

Victoria Leonhardt is a Transportation Planner with Felsburg Holt & Ullevig focused on plans that translate into measurable outcomes. She brings a systems-thinking lens to transportation, land use, and community development, with an emphasis on how mobility investments can shape growth patterns, strengthen places, and deliver long-term value.

How can Main Streets stay vibrant as communities grow, travel patterns shift, and downtown economies evolve? Using Salt Lake City’s Award-winning Main Street transformation as a case study, this session, co-led by the city and design lead for the project, explores how streets can become flexible public spaces that balance pedestrians, bikes, transit, vehicles, events, and business needs. Presenters will share strategies in phased implementation, creative parking strategies, tactical pilots, and close coordination across city departments and stakeholders. Attendees from large cities, small towns, and rural communities will gain practical tools to create Main Streets that feel economically active, locally authentic, and adaptable for decades to come.

Presenters

Megan Jones Shiotani PLA, ASLA, Associate Principal Landscape Architect - Dig Studio

Megan Jones Shiotani, PLA, ASLA, holds a BA in Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania and an MLA in Landscape Architecture from the Harvard Graduate School of Design. She is a landscape architect and urban designer leading transformative civic, downtown, and community revitalization projects across the Mountain West. Megan served as project manager and urban design lead for Salt Lake City’s Main Street Promenade study and specializes in translating ambitious public visions into implementable projects.

Peter Makowski, Deputy Director of Business Development - Salt Lake City Department of Economic Development

Peter Makowski is Deputy Director of the Business Development Division for Salt Lake City’s Department of Economic Development and holds a bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning from the University of Utah. He leads initiatives focused on downtown vitality, business growth, and public-private partnerships, including advancement of the Main Street initiative and the city’s Open Streets program. His work has helped attract more than 10,000 jobs, over 5 million square feet of new development, and more than $1 billion in capital investment.

Transportation, food access, and drought vulnerability are tightly linked across South Dakota and the Plains but are often planned for separately. This session will offer insight into how transportation, food systems, and drought vulnerability/adaptation planning can be integrated with long-range transportation plans. Reviewing several current project examples across these related areas of planning, the session will highlight how food sovereignty and drought resilience efforts closely depend on their relationship to transportation access, mobility, freight, and infrastructure investment. Through case examples and an interactive exercise, participants will develop practical, cross-disciplinary strategies applicable across various western plains planning contexts.

Presenters

Ian Butler-Severson, Project Manager / Transportation Planner - KLJ Engineering

Ian is a seasoned project manager and transportation planner with 13 years of experience delivering comprehensive planning solutions for communities, counties, MPOs, DOTs, and Tribal governments. His experience spans multimodal transportation, land use, community development, food systems, and park, trail and open space planning, in both rural and urban contexts, across 15+ states and counting. His work integrates advanced GIS analysis and data-driven methodologies to support informed decision-making and resilient infrastructure development, and is versed in stakeholder engagement, grant writing, and delivering innovative solutions for sustainable and safe infrastructure.

Frankie Lee, Civil Engineer - KLJ Engineering

Frankie is a senior-level client/project manager and civil engineer. As a Navajo Nation member, he brings a unique perspective and background in Indigenous culture, values, government relations, and law. He specializes in Tribal transportation, facility and oil and gas development, power and energy resources, government legislation, and capital planning. He provided engineering consulting services for the Three Affiliated Tribes within the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation on various projects for 10 years. Frankie builds client relationships and manages the planning, design, and construction of capital projects for Native Nations across North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, Arizona, and New Mexico.

Data centers are reshaping communities and raising tough questions about land use, the environment, infrastructure, and local impact. This session takes a different approach. Participants step into the perspective of their “inner kid” to say what we often think but rarely say out loud during a real data center proposal. Through guided role play, they ask instinctive questions, challenge assumptions, and surface blind spots that often go unspoken. Facilitators then move the group from reaction to resolution, focusing on the most difficult issue and turning it into clear, actionable planning strategies. The session offers a fresh way to build partnerships, strengthen decisions, and grow community trust.

Presenters

Mojra Hauenstein, Community Planning Senior Planner - Bolton & Menk, Inc.

Mojra is a community planning senior planner at Bolton & Menk who began her career in 1998 as an architect and then joined the public sector as a planner. Her experience includes comprehensive planning, architecture, code enforcement, zoning, working with developers, and submitting permits. She is passionate about providing customized and practical solutions to communities.

Blue Weber, Community Outreach Liaison - Bolton & Menk, Inc.

​​​​​​​Blue is a community outreach liaison who started his career in community engagement in 2015. Blue is an expert in growing businesses and engaging community stakeholders and ensures our communities are successful through his grassroots engagement approach. His passion for community building stems from the impacts his projects have on the communities he serves.

Take a guided stroll through Downtown Sioux Falls focused on public art, streetscape design, and placemaking. Learn how art installations, building facades, and cultural anchors like Levitt at the Falls were implemented – and how the City of Sioux Falls continues to pursue placemaking opportunities.

Participants will:

• Learn how public art and streetscape design contribute to placemaking and community identity

• Explore the role of cultural anchors and partnerships in activating downtown spaces

• Understand how municipalities can embed placemaking strategies into ongoing planning and capital projects

This session will blend the basics of the public involvement event with expert-level advice for making your meetings, hearings, workshops, and open houses bulletproof. Strategic Communications staff from HDR Engineering are public relations and community involvement professionals that have mastered and systemized the public involvement process. The presenters will provide considerations and processes for each step of the event planning process – venue, format, content, follow-up and more. Whether you have planned zero or 50 public meetings, you can expect to come away with fresh ideas and best practices to upgrade your public involvement process. 

Presenters

Ally Titus, Senior Strategic Communications Specialist - HDR Engineering

Ally Titus is a senior public involvement consultant with HDR Engineering and holds degrees in public relations and community development. She has spent the last five years working with municipalities in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming reach their public involvement and communications goals. 

BryAnn Becker Knecht, Area Business Class Manager, HDR

BryAnn Becker Knecht has over 18 years of experience leading Strategic Communications efforts across the public and private sector. She leads HDR’s in-house public involvement team in their work supporting government agencies reach their public outreach goals.

We will cover a brief history of SculptureWalk Sioux Falls and how we run our program. Then we will discuss how our sculpture program has helped to build community engagement, civic pride, tourism, and economic development.

Presenters
Regan Smith, Emergency Manager - City of Sioux Falls
Regan Smith is a Sioux Falls native, veteran and long-time Emergency Manager for the City of Sioux Falls. Regan has been involved with the program for twenty-two (22) years.

Jim Mathis, Certified Advertologist - ADwërks
Jim has been in advertising virtually all his life. Growing up in and around ad agencies and graphic design studios, he has worked in just about every facet of advertising—from design and copywriting to marketing strategies, media placement, and television production. For the last 20 years he’s been a member of the SculptureWalk board of directors and volunteer.

The Rapid City, Pierre and Eastern railyard, located in southeast Rapid City, creates issues with transportation, the environment, and livability. The Railyard Relocation and Railway Configuration Study examines the possibility of relocating the railyard, and constructing a more efficient railway. The study identified and ranked multiple sites for relocation, and include a robust public input process to recommend steps to create a more efficient transportation system.

Presenters

Kip Harrington, Long-Range Planning Manager - Rapid City Department of Community Development/Rapid City Area MPO

Kip Harrington is the Long-Range Planning Manager for the Rapid City Department of Community Development, and also serves as the main staff liaison to the Rapid City Area Metropolitan Planning Organization. Kip specializes in transportation, demographics, land use planning, and travel demand forecast modeling. He has been with the City for over 25 years.

Local government planners face a common dilemma of trying to fit real-world development proposals into a pre-existing zoning ordinance. We tend to reach for the variance, PUD, or special use permit, but feel a little guilty and promise to fix the ordinance so this doesn’t happen again. This summer, the City of Bismarck, North Dakota, completed its first comprehensive update to zoning in over forty years. Learn about how we are wrangling over 130 PUDs and conditional districts, and how we intend to apply objectivity with intentional release valves in the future.

Presenters

Daniel Nairn, Planning Director - City of Bismarck

Daniel Nairn, AICP, is the Planning Director for the City of Bismarck, North Dakota. He has an MA in Urban and Environmental Planning from the University of Virginia. He has been camping this summer with his family of four kids and a dog (but not the cat).

5:00-6:30pm Tribal & Indigenous Planning Division Annual Meeting [Parlour 1 Room - near front desk]

5:30-7:00pm Evening Reception/Social brought to you by ISG

Join us for patio beverages with city views, appetizers, networking, and some fun professional development in ISG’s beautiful office space located at 345 North Reid Place in the Bancorp Building at Cherapa Place (4-minute walk from Canopy)

Thursday @ 7am - Western Planner Community Muddle - 5k Scavenger Hunt (Meet at the Canopy entrance)

Kick off the conference in motion! This vibrant 3.88 mile route takes you along Sioux Falls’ scenic river greenway where parks, public art, and smart planning come to life. Cruise through Cherry Rock Park, along Beadle Greenway, past the Statue of David replica in Fawick Park, and alongside the city’s iconic Arc of Dreams.  Run, walk, bike, or blade at your pace, your way. With fun optional challenges along the route, you’ll finish energized, inspired, and ready to dive into the day.

Participants will:

• Experience how riverfront greenways, parks, and public art create a vibrant and connected downtown

• Explore the role of active transportation in promoting health, placemaking, and community vitality

• Gain inspiration for integrating recreation and public space design into planning practice

Thursday @ 8:00am - SD Planners Annual Meeting (Arkota Boardroom)

Thursday @ 9:00–9:45am - Drum Circle and Words of Wisdom, Vaney Hariri, Think 3D

This session explores how design-led strategies can help downtowns shift from reactive growth to intentional, people-centered places. In many college and regional hubs, daytime vibrancy contrasts with nightlife that can feel narrow or disruptive. Using case studies from Brookings, SD and Grand Forks, ND, we will share how coordinated investments in mobility, mixed-use development, and placemaking can balance economic energy with a more family-friendly identity. Attendees will gain practical tools to guide private investment, diversify daytime/nighttime activity, and create walkable, inclusive districts that perform.

Presenters

Cory Scott, Senior Partner - RDG Planning & Design

Cory is an Urban Planner and Senior Partner at RDG Planning & Design, a multi-disciplinary firm based in the Midwest. He has been involved in all phases of project development, from facilitating large events to producing graphics and publications. His plans and passion for communities have resulted in over $500 million of new investment - both public and private funds, cited in academic studies, and honored by numerous awards for best plan and implementation. 

Samantha Beckman, Assistant City Manager - City of Brookings, South Dakota

Samantha Beckman serves as Assistant City Manager for the City of Brookings, where she plays a key role in advancing strategic initiatives, coordinating municipal operations, and supporting community development efforts. Since joining the City in 2023, she has contributed to projects focused on downtown revitalization, long-range planning, and citizen engagement, working closely with city leadership to deliver responsive and forward-looking public services.

This session highlights innovative public engagement strategies utilized throughout the Forge Laramie comprehensive planning project in Laramie, Wyoming. Presenters will share creative, hands-on approaches that move beyond traditional outreach to generate meaningful, usable input, and how that input was incorporated into the City’s updated comprehensive plan.

Presenters

Maggie Squyer, AICP, Senior Associate - Clarion Associates

Maggie is a Senior Associate in Clarion's Denver office who is passionate about creating effective, user-friendly planning documents that are tailored to the needs of the community. She believes in a ""listen first"" approach that ensures policy recommendations are informed by the stories and feedback provided by the public, as well as the planners and officials who must implement them.

Emma Dixon, Planner I - City of Laramie

Emma Dixon is a Planner I with the City of Laramie Planning Division, where she supports current and long-range planning with a focus on GIS and mapping. Originally from Kansas, she came to Laramie to attend the University of Wyoming, where she developed a strong connection to the community and a love for “Laradise.” She now combines her technical expertise with a passion for community to help shape Laramie’s future growth.

Layne Ferguson, Activation Team Director - Yard & Company

Layne leads Yard & Company’s activation and public-space activation work, turning ideas into testable, on-the-ground experiences. His work spans event-scale activations, curb and street pilots, district programming, and hands-on buildouts that translate plans into visible change.

This presentation summarizes the creation, strategic framework, and ongoing progress of the Western Dakota Regional Water System (WDRWS) evaluating supplemental water supply from the Missouri River as a foundation of sustainable, resilient water management. Through early 2026, with federal feasibility study authorization being sought and stakeholder engagement successfully progressing, WDRWS illustrates effective regional collaboration with the goals to safeguard public health, foster economic vitality, and mitigate climate vulnerabilities.

Presenters

Cory Chorne, Program Manager - Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services, LLC

Mr. Chorne, a graduate of North Dakota State University with a BS in Civil Engineering, has over 27 years of experience with Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services, LLC (AE2S) in the development, management, design, and construction of regional water systems throughout the upper Great Plains.  Most recently, he has served as a Program Manager for these types of projects providing clients with project coordination, planning, funding development, and governmental affairs services.  He is a licensed professional engineer in North Dakota and Montana.

Kristin Conzet, Executive Director - Western Dakota Regional Water System

Kristin Conzet is the Executive Director of the Western Dakota Regional Water System, where she leads efforts to secure a long term, reliable water supply for western South Dakota through development of Missouri River infrastructure. She works at the intersection of engineering, policy, and funding to advance large scale regional water solutions that support communities, agriculture, and national defense, including Ellsworth Air Force Base. A former South Dakota State Representative, she brings legislative experience and strategic leadership to complex infrastructure initiatives across the region.

Let’s explore how planners can include heritage tourism as a practical strategy to connect preservation, economic development, and community identity. Drawing on real-life examples from Great Plains communities, not commonly thought of as tourism destinations, we will discuss how comprehensive plans, downtown plans, zoning, adaptive reuse, historic districts, way finding, event infrastructure, and partnerships can help communities build on existing assets rather than making up new ones. Participants will leave with an “authenticity test” and a set of planning actions they can adapt for small towns, downtowns, and regional destinations across the West.

Presenters

John C. Shepard, AICP, Planning Consultant - JCShepard(dot)com

John C. Shepard, AICP, has worked in planning and economic development for over 30 years, across the Midwest, Great Plains, and Rocky Mountains. He publishes a blog on life, liberty, and the pursuit of Americana at jcshepard.com. John currently serves as Vice-Chair of Communications for the APA Small Town & Rural Planning Division.

Discover the work of Yankton Sioux tribal artist Jerry Fogg, a Sioux Falls–based artist known for his one-of-a-kind mixed media pieces that blend storytelling, history, and tradition. This exhibition at the Washington Pavilion invites visitors to explore powerful visual narratives rooted in Native American culture and personal experience.

Born in Los Angeles and now based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Jerry Fogg draws inspiration from his upbringing near Fort Thompson on the Crow Creek Reservation. A self-taught artist, he began developing his craft in high school, influenced by Native American artists and the expansive landscapes of South Dakota.

Fogg’s work reflects a deep connection to place, memory, and identity. His artistic process is guided by intention, carefully selecting materials and composition to bring each story to life.  His artwork spans detailed pencil drawings, paintings and mixed media pieces that incorporate elements from Native culture. Each piece explores themes of history, legend and lived experience, creating a meaningful connection between the artwork and the viewer.  Every mixed media work is completely original and never reproduced, reinforcing the individuality and significance of each piece.

Why Visit This Exhibition

• Experience authentic Native American art in Sioux Falls

• See one-of-a-kind mixed media works you won’t find anywhere else

• Discover stories rooted in history, culture, and personal perspective

• Support a celebrated local artist and regional creative voice

Ethics! In the Form of a Question? is an interactive session that reintroduces the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Code of Ethics and its application in contemporary planning practice. Participants will explore ethics resources from the American Planning Association (APA), review recent ethics inquiry data, misconduct cases, and emerging trends, and examine equity within the Aspirational Principles. Through a Jeopardy-style team game, attendees will apply ethical reasoning to real-world planning challenges and strengthen their ability to integrate integrity, accountability, and equity into daily professional decision-making.

Presenters

Katie Guthrie, Senior Transportation Planner - Stanley Consultants, Inc.

Katie M. Guthrie, AICP is a Senior Transportation Planner with Stanley Consultants Inc.  Katie has over 25 years of experience focused on transportation and community planning. She specializes in creating practical, people-centered solutions that improve walking, biking, and transit access. Her work emphasizes inclusive, safe, and accessible transportation systems shaped by community needs and real-world travel behavior.

Sam Trebilcock, Senior Urban Planner - Houston Engineering Inc.

Sam Trebilcock, AICP is a Senior Urban Planner with Houston Engineering Inc.  Sam has 35 years of planning experience in the public and private sector.  Sam’s planning work includes multi-modal plans and corridor studies, master transportation plans, public engagement, and land use planning.

Plans shape cities, but culture shapes whether those plans succeed. This session explores the invisible forces—community relationships, public trust, leadership identity, and civic engagement—that determine whether great planning actually takes root. Drawing on concepts from organizational culture, sports, and community development, this session challenges planners to think beyond land use and zoning to consider how they show up, how they communicate, and how they inspire the public to move from complaint to collaboration. Attendees will leave with a refreshed sense of purpose and practical tools for building the cultural conditions that make great places possible.

Presenters

Vaney Hariri, Co-Founder - Think 3D

Vaney Hariri is a leadership development practitioner and strategic advisor who has spent over a decade in honest conversation with leaders across industries. As co-founder of Think 3D, Vaney works at the intersection of personal growth and community impact — believing the best leaders don't just lead people, they build conditions for others to rise.

Communities in crisis must rebuild more than physical spaces—they must restore confidence, strengthen institutions, support local businesses, and reinvest in places and people simultaneously. This session connects NOAH’s Crisis Dogs of Nebraska with Ayres’ REVITALAB: A Downtown Revitalization Workshop to explore how communities move from disruption to recovery and renewal. Together, these approaches demonstrate how healing people, rebuilding institutions, supporting businesses, and reactivating downtown buildings creates the foundation for resilient, thriving communities.

Presenters

Matt Ashby, Vice President - Development Services - Ayres 

Matt is a nationally recognized brownfield and redevelopment strategist who helps communities turn environmental risk into forward momentum. With more than 25 years leading brownfield programs from both the public and consulting sides, his work has supported the delivery of dozens of EPA‑funded projects and helped communities leverage contamination challenges into clear redevelopment pathways and lasting economic benefit.

Renea Gernant, Crisis Volunteer/Trainer - NOAH's Crisis Dogs

Renea Gernant serves with NOAH’s Crisis Dogs of Nebraska, providing trauma informed support to individuals and communities responding to disasters, school crises, and sudden loss. Her work focuses on restoring stability, trust, and emotional resilience—often serving as the first step that allows organizations and communities to begin meaningful recovery after crisis.

Scout, Crisis Response Dog - NOAH's Crisis Dogs

Scout, a Plott Hound, was rescued through All-Aboard Pet Rescue in Fort Collins, CO.  Scout is a very active dog who needs to work in therapy, crisis, and search and rescue to keep her body and mind busy.  In addition to crisis and therapy dog work, she and her partners train twice a week in Search and Rescue.  Scout loves to vocalize, as hounds do, and she loves to watch for squirrels and rabbits, run, twirl, and toss her toys–especially when she has her dog friends, her cats, and her favorite people in tow.

Atticus, Crisis Dog - NOAH's Crisis Dogs

Atticus, a Shepweiler (Shepherd/Rottweiler), was rescued from a shelter in Texas for the NOAH’s program. He first trained as a psychiatric service dog. His trainer called him “high drive” which is another way of saying he’s a playboy obsessed with ball games. He lives in eastern NE with his dog sister, Scout. When he’s not helping provide comfort and mental health support, Atticus likes to go for long walks along the Platte River.

Zoning codes are full of inherited assumptions—but which still serve us? This interactive session challenges traditional approaches by asking a simple question: Why do we care? Using examples from Grand Junction, presenters explore how reframing specific standards better support housing and community goals while simplifying review and administration of the Code. Participants will engage in exercises to evaluate regulations, rethink their purpose, and build stronger, outcome-based approaches.

Presenters

Niki Galehouse, AICP, Senior Planner - KLJ Engineering

Niki Galehouse is a Senior Planner with KLJ Engineering, coming from a 12 year career in the public sector. She was most recently the Planning Manager in Grand Junction, CO and is passionate about creating codes that work for the communities they serve. Niki holds a Bachelor of Science in Sustainability & the Built Environment and a Master of Urban & Regional Planning.

Tamra Allen, AICP, Community Development Director - City of Grand Junction

Tamra Allen has served as the Community Development Director for the City of Grand Junction since 2017, where she has been instrumental in rewriting its Zoning & Development Code, as well as initiatives on affordable and transitional housing. She holds a master's degree in public administration and political science and a bachelor's degree in Urban Planning.

Human Centered Design (HCD) recognizes that successful parks and open spaces rely on strong programs and well designed infrastructure—but are ultimately measured by how people experience and use them. This session introduces HCD as a practical framework that brings lived experience to the forefront of planning and design decisions, translating empathy, observation, and iteration into physical outcomes. Using case examples including plazas, streetscapes and parks master plans, the session demonstrates how human centered approaches complement investment and programming to create inclusive, well used, and authentic public spaces that reflect local identity and support everyday life.

Presenters

Chris Silewski, Landscape Architect - Ayres 

Chris Silewski is a landscape architect who believes the best parks and public spaces start with listening. With more than a decade of experience designing parks, playgrounds, plazas, and streetscapes, he blends human centered design, hands on community engagement, and practical constructability to create outdoor spaces that feel authentic, welcoming, and built for everyday use—not just ribbon cuttings.

Matt Ashby, Vice President - Development Services - Ayres

Matt Ashby helps communities turn open space, parks, and outdoor places into real assets - not just line items in a capital plan. As Vice President of Development Services at Ayres Associates, he works at the intersection of planning, redevelopment, funding, and design to help communities move ideas for parks and public spaces from vision to implementation in ways that reflect how people actually live, gather, and play.

Using commonly available tools like Microsoft Excel and GIS, City of Bismarck planning staff analyzed which parcels within the City’s jurisdiction were likely nonconforming and which would return to conformity as the City transitioned to a new Land Development Code. This analysis further visualized  the differences between the old and new zoning codes and demonstrated which areas of the City might be most impacted by the new code. While there are likely other ways to perform this type of analysis, this session offers insights into one methodology and advice on how other planners could perform similar reviews of nonconforming parcels.

Presenters

Isak Johnson, Planner - City of Bismarck, ND

Isak Johnson is a planner with more than three years of experience with the City of Bismarck’s Planning Department. He holds a Master’s of Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Minnesota and a Master’s of Science in Applied Physics from the University of Michigan. Combining both sides of his educational background, he loves sifting through and analyzing data to find patterns and insights which can be used to further planning projects.

Cities and counties can play a critical role in planning for sensitive lands and conserving wildlife habitat connectivity. However, these resources are rarely considered in local land use planning efforts and it can be challenging for local decision-makers to prioritize conserving wildlife and natural resources, much less balance other competing priorities. Join our convergence of planning and ecology to learn how local governments can better maintain wildlife habitat connectivity within our built environments. We’ll highlight best practices on how planners and biologists can address land use opportunities at various scales, share several relevant state statutes, and discuss the co-benefits of co-location between wildlife connectivity, housing, transportation, and economic development.  

Presenters

Kristina Kachur Webb, AICP,  Senior Environmental Planner - Logan Simpson

Kristina is dedicated to environmental, outdoor recreation, and natural resource planning for the improvement of community’s quality of life, health and economic benefit, and conservation of resources. She leads a variety of wildlife corridor, park and recreation, open space, resiliency, natural resource, National Trail, and comprehensive planning projects at various scales, working with local, county, and federal clients. She holds a master’s degree in urban and regional planning and is a certified planner. 

Kylie Paul, Road Ecologist - Center for Large Landscape Conservation

Kylie tackles issues surrounding wildlife habitat connectivity and transportation ecology at the Center for Large Landscape Conservation, based in Montana. She advances wildlife-friendly transportation and connectivity projects, programs, and policies at federal, state, and local scales. She uses her extensive experience in nonprofit conservation, local government, wildlife research, and private business sectors to enrich her work. 

Bruce Meighen, AICP, CEO / Principal Planner - Logan Simpson

Bruce Meighen is CEO and Principal Planner at Logan Simpson with more than 30 years of experience leading award-winning comprehensive plans across the western United States. His work focuses on responsible growth, community engagement, and advancing immersive, experience-based planning approaches.

Many comprehensive plans and subarea plans like to talk about implementation and how plans lead to concrete achievements by communities in subsequent years. This session focuses on how one planning effort, the East Greeley Subarea Plan, leveraged city resources and connections in the background of the planning effort to launch several catalytic projects to serve East Greeley, a historically disadvantaged set of neighborhoods within the rapidly growing community of Greeley, Colorado. The city launched these catalysts, through funding and subsequent planning and design, while the overall subarea plan came into focus.

Presenters

Britt Palmberg, Director of Planning - RICK 

Britt Palmberg, AICP, is the Director of Planning for the Rocky Mountain region of RICK, an engineering, planning, and design firm with eleven offices and around 400 employees across the Western United States. He has over 20 years of experience in leading planning consulting services to municipal, county, and private sector clients across the West and Midwest, including numerous Comprehensive Plans, Downtown Plans, neighborhood plans, subarea plans, parks and recreation plans, and related efforts. 

Doug May, Principal Planner - Long Range - City of Greeley, CO

Doug May is a long range planner with the City of Greeley and serves as the Project Manager for the East Greeley Subarea Plan. A graduate of Kansas State University, Doug has over 10 years of public sector planning experience. Prior to joining Greeley, he worked as a planner with the City of Manhattan, KS; St. Louis County, MO; and Larimery County, CO.

An inspiring public–private partnership redefining how communities address veteran homelessness through innovative land use, compassionate, trauma-informed design, and coordinated wrap-around services. This session explores how tiny home communities–paired with onsite case management and integrated support creates sustainable pathways out of homelessness and how this adaptable model can be implemented in communities of all sizes, from urban centers to rural and Tribal settings.

Participants will:

• Understand the role of land use and zoning in enabling innovative housing solutions

• Explore equity-centered and trauma-informed design principles

• Examine public–private partnerships and service coordination strategies that improve housing outcomes for veterans

Real estate development is often viewed with skepticism in many Main Street circles, yet it can be one of the most powerful tools for revitalization. This lecture reframes the conversation—focusing on how underserved and underutilized properties can become catalysts for transformation when activated through grassroots, community-driven efforts.

Participants will explore how Main Street programs can move beyond the stigma of “big development” and instead embrace small-scale, people-centered property activations that bring vibrancy, equity, and opportunity back into neglected spaces. By combining place-based economic development with creative programming, we’ll demonstrate how communities can reclaim overlooked properties as engines of inclusive growth.

Presenters

Ben Levenger, President - DTRedevelopment

Ben Levenger is an AICP planner, registered landscape architect, Certified Economic Developer, and Main Street American Revitalization Professional. He is the president of Downtown Redevelopment Services, LLC, a planning firm that assists communities through downtown planning and rural economic development initiatives. 

Nathan Davis, Planning Lead - DTRedevelopment

Nathan is the planning lead for DTRedevelopment, performing work across the country to help transform rural downtowns.

This session provides a clear, practical breakdown of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for professionals involved in development, public finance, and municipal decision-making. We will examine how TIF districts are structured, the legal and financial mechanics that drive them, and how projected increments are leveraged to fund infrastructure and redevelopment. The discussion will also address common risks, including revenue shortfalls, overlapping taxing jurisdictions, and compliance challenges. Through real-world examples, attendees will gain insight into when TIF is most effective, how to evaluate deals critically, and how to align TIF strategy with broader economic development objectives.

Presenters

Todd Meierhenry, Todd Meierhenry - Meierhenry Sargent LLP

Todd Meierhenry is a founding partner of Meierhenry Sargent LLP in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, with over 38 years of experience in municipal finance, real estate law, and economic development. He serves as bond counsel, underwriter’s counsel, and a licensed Federal Municipal Advisor, advising on the structuring, issuance, and disclosure of municipal bonds, including single-family mortgage revenue bond programs. He currently serves as President of the American College of Bond Counsel.

The proposed Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve is a transformative regional planning effort to reconnect the Muscogee (Creek) Nation to ancestral homelands while advancing Georgia’s first national park. This session explores how planners, Tribal leadership, and public partners developed a strategic framework for 80+ miles of the Ocmulgee River Corridor that integrates Muscogee (Creek) voices, conservation, recreation, infrastructure, and economic development. Attendees will gain insight into structuring Indigenous partnership within complex multi-jurisdictional planning efforts and learn how culturally grounded planning can shape large-scale conservation and community development initiatives.

Presenters

Zac Kannan, Professional Engineer - Kimley-Horn

Zac is an enrolled citizen of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. He is a civil engineer focused on projects that help Tribal communities sustain the connection between community, water, and land. He has ten years of experience leading multi-jurisdictional efforts with Tribal governments, federal agencies, and local partners to deliver solutions that are technically sound, culturally informed, and grounded in collaborative planning. His experience includes advancing climate resilience strategies, protecting cultural resources, and improving access to natural landscapes for future generations.

Leah Campbell, Professional Landscape Architect - Kimley-Horn

Leah is a citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation with 18 years of experience designing parks, streetscapes, master-planned communities, and mixed-use developments for public and private clients. Born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma—the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Capital—and raised on a Centennial Farm originally part of her family’s Creek Indian Allotment, her heritage inspires her to create designs that honor natural landforms and cultural identity. As a licensed irrigation designer, she focuses on preserving water resources and advancing sustainable, functional landscapes. 

Tracie Revis, CEO/Director of Advocacy  - ONPPI

Tracie Revis is a licensed attorney and citizen of the Yuchi and Muscogee tribes from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Tracie Revis is director of advocacy for the Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve Initiative, a movement to create Georgia's first national park and make the Muscogee tribe co-manager of their ancestral homelands. She previously served as the first female chief of staff for Muscogee (Creek) Nation Principal Chief David Hill, following roles as acting tribal administrator, acting secretary of housing and gaming commissioner. She served as a congressional intern for Arizona Representative Raul Grijalva and later testified to the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs about her experience seeking access to care within the Indian Health Services. 

RaeLynn Butler, Secretary of Culture and Humanities - Muscogee (Creek) Nation

RaeLynn A. Butler is a citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and serves as the Secretary of Culture and Humanities at the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. She oversees the tribe’s efforts to promote, protect, and preserve Mvskoke and Euchee language, culture, history, arts, and cultural resources. She served as the manager of the Historic and Cultural Preservation Department for nine years and has extensive experience with repatriation and sacred lands protection. 

Gary Wheat, President/CEO - Visit Macon

Gary Wheat has been President/CEO at Visit Macon since January of 2017. A native of Prentiss, Mississippi, Gary has been serving in the tourism industry 24 years with 20 years of experience at the CEO level. He has been the CEO in starting two tourism organizations from the ground up with both showing continued growth and stability.

Over the past decade, we have conducted housing studies throughout the Midwest. Most of studies include community surveys about people’s needs and preferences. Our database includes years of data with tens of thousands of responses. This session will overview changes we’ve seen through these surveys over time on topics such as preferred housing types, needed price points, supported housing policies, and much more. The data will be supplemented with the presenters’ expert observations and quantitative data over time. The session will include an open conversation with attendees on housing perceptions versus possible realities, and future policy approaches.

Presenters

Charlie Cowell, Urban Planner, Partner - RDG Planning & Design

Charlie Cowell, AICP, is an urban planner for RDG with over a decade of experience. Charlie works in community and regional planning across a variety of fields including housing, zoning ordinances, comprehensive planning, corridor planning, and active transportation.  He currently serves as a board member for the Iowa Chapter of the American Planning Association.

Cory Scott, Urban Planner, Senior Partner - RDG Planning & Design

Cory (AICP) is an urban planner who has been published in numerous articles, cited in academic studies, and spoken at conferences about market-based planning. His plans for communities have resulted in millions of dollars of new investment and honored by numerous awards. Cory holds a Master of Science in Urban Studies from the University of Nebraska Omaha and a Bachelor of Science in Community and Regional Planning from Iowa State University, along with certification from the National Charette Institute.

Join us for a guided walk through Downtown Sioux Falls that has seen over a billion dollars of investment over the past five years.  Learn how the City collaborates on public–private partnerships behind some of the City of Sioux Falls’ most impactful developments and how you can apply these tools in your own community.

Participants will: 

• Understand how public–private partnerships are structured to advance community goals

• Explore financial and policy tools used to catalyze downtown investment

• Gain practical insights for applying collaborative development strategies in their own communities

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has transformed neighborhood cleanup into a data-driven, community-powered initiative through Project NICE and Project KEEP. By pairing GIS mapping with hands-on support, the city directs cleanup resources where they are needed most—removing hundreds of tons of debris, engaging volunteers, and keeping nuisance cases steady despite rapid population growth. This model shows how cities can turn environmental challenges into opportunities for healthier, stronger neighborhoods.

Presenters

Timea Metzger-Nelson, REHS/RS ( Registered Environmental Health Specialist) - City of Sioux Falls

Timea Metzger-Nelson has been an REHS/RS with the City of Sioux Falls for five years. Her background includes Master of Science in Bioengineering/ Molecular Biology, Quality Assurance in Food Manufacturing, Micro and Molecular Biology in Clinical and Research setting.

Jeff Schmidt, REHS/RS - City of Sioux Falls

Worked in public/environmental health field for 33 years. Last 24 years as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist for the City of Sioux Falls Health Department specializing in the areas of food and lodging inspections, code enforcement, body art regulation and inspections, mobile home park inspections and enforcement, and indoor air quality. Active member of NEHA for 28 years.

Zack Van De Rostyne, REHS/RS - City of Sioux Falls

bachelors of science - Applied and Environmental Microbiology, South Dakota State University; MBA University of Sioux Falls; REHS/RS, CPO, Class 1 wastewater operators license. Worked in various laboratory QA/QC roles before transitioning to the role of an Inspector with a REHS. Been with the City of Sioux Falls for 16 years and an REHS with the City for 11 years.

The City of Sioux Falls annexes an average of 700 acres of land every year. In this time of increasing costs and tightening budgets it is critical that the city’s growth management strategy align infrastructure timing and location with a long-term vision. This session explores how Sioux Falls identifies land suitable for development over 5-, 10-, and 25-year horizons through multi-departmental collaboration.

Presenters

Kristen Benidt, Urban Planner - City of Sioux Falls

Kristen Benidt, AICP, is an Urban Planner with the City of Sioux Falls, bringing 11 years of experience in municipal, county, and regional planning. In her current role, she leverages her broad expertise to evaluate proposed developments, guide applicants through the development process, and support the city’s recently updated comprehensive plan through the implementation of the growth management plan. 

In Teton County and the Town of Jackson, development occurs within one of the most ecologically significant landscapes in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, home to migratory elk, mule deer, moose, and other sensitive species. As growth continues, traditional fencing can unintentionally fragment habitat, disrupt movement corridors, and create barriers that affect both wildlife and long-term ecosystem health.

While wildlife-friendly fencing is often associated with rural or open landscapes, its role within urban and developed areas is equally critical. In Jackson’s neighborhoods, commercial areas, and transitional edges, fencing can either maintain or sever the small-scale connections that wildlife rely on to move through fragmented environments. Urban fencing that prioritizes permeability helps reduce wildlife entrapment, supports daily and seasonal movement, and reinforces broader corridor connectivity across the community.

This session focuses on how wildlife-friendly fencing can be implemented at the local level to better align development with the realities of this landscape. Participants will learn key design principles such as permeability, appropriate height and material selection, and techniques to reduce wildlife entrapment, all tailored to local conditions including seasonal migration, snow accumulation, and mixed urban-wildland interfaces.

The session will also highlight emerging regulatory approaches specific to Teton County and Jackson, including standards for wildlife permeability, triggers for bringing nonconforming fencing into compliance, and design considerations for long or continuous fence segments. Emphasis will be placed on practical application, balancing ecological function with landowner needs, maintenance considerations, and enforceability.

Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how fencing—particularly within urban contexts—can be designed and regulated to support wildlife movement while accommodating responsible development in one of the region’s most sensitive and valued landscapes.

Presenters

Andrew Bowen, Senior Planner - Town of Jackson, WY

Experienced mountain and rural community planner supporting local governments in managing growth, preserving natural resources, advancing affordable housing, and strengthening community resilience. Skilled in developing comprehensive plans, zoning regulations, and land use policies tailored to the unique dynamics of mountain and rural communities. Proficient in public engagement, interagency collaboration, and consensus-building to align development with community values and foster vibrant, economically sustainable places.

This session will present the content of a new book on zoning reform titled An Even Better Way to Zone.  It will identify five ""thought mistakes"" about how zoning works that have led to unaffordable housing, unsustainable development patterns, inequitable zoning outcomes, and a focus on greenfield development over more sustainable redevelopment -- four key challenges facing today's planners. More importantly, it will present specific implementable examples of zoning reforms that can produce more affordable, sustainable, and equitable development. It will conclude by reviewing how to resolve conflicts between these competing community goals.

Presenters

Don Elliott, Senior Consultant - Clarion Associates.

Donald L. Elliott is a Senior Consultant with Clarion Associates, LLC, a land use consulting firm with offices in Denver and Chapel Hill. Don has assisted over 80 U.S. communities to update plans and regulations related to zoning, subdivision, housing, sustainability, fair housing, and land development. He is the author of A Better Way to Zone (Island Press 2008), An Even Better Way to Zone (Island Press, 2025), and co-author of The Rules that Shape Urban Form (APA 2012) and served as the editor of Colorado Land Planning and Development Law for 30 years. 

5:30-7:00pm - Evening Reception at The Lodge [Jacobsen Plaza]

Join us for patio games, roller skating on the ribbon, beverages, appetizers, and networking at the city’s newest park located at 800 North Phillips Avenue (2-minute walk from Canopy)

7:00-9:00pm - Live Music at the Levitt

After the reception at Jacobson Plaza follow the music to the Levitt and show your badge to redeem a complimentary lawn chair!

Infrastructure readiness is a foundational component of successful community and economic development, yet many communities lack a clear picture of their true infrastructure capacity. This session features a panel discussion and case study of South Dakota’s Infrastructure First initiative, led by the South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) in collaboration with planning and infrastructure partners. Attendees will explore how statewide data, multi-agency coordination, and capital improvement planning tools can support site readiness, guide investment decisions, and activate planning at the local, regional, and state levels. Interactive engagement will help participants translate lessons learned into their own planning contexts.

Presenters

Mark Jobman, PLA, Senior Landscape Architect  - I & S Group, Inc. (ISG)

Mark has 23 years of experience in site planning and landscape architecture. He integrates creativity with strong technical expertise to deliver functional, resilient, and people-focused environments for public and private clients. 

Bill Even, GOED Commissioner - 

Danielle Propst, AICP, Senior Planner - I & S Group, Inc. (ISG)

Danielle is an award-winning planner at ISG, specializing in capital improvement planning, community planning, and data informed decision making. Her work focuses on helping communities align infrastructure capacity, land use planning, and stakeholder priorities to support sustainable development and investment readiness.

Tiara Marcus, MEM, Project Delivery Group Leader  - I & S Group, Inc. (ISG)

Tiara supports multidisciplinary project teams that advance economic development through strategic planning, infrastructure coordination, and implementation alignment. With over a decade of project management expertise, she works closely with communities and public agencies to translate complex planning and infrastructure initiatives into actions that support long term growth.

This presentation by Federal Highway Administration Office of Tribal Transportation (FHWA-OTT) addresses "data deserts" in tribal transportation, where traditional analysis fails due to sparse crash data. We demonstrate a proactive, systemic approach that identifies predictable risk factors like roadside hazards to prevent tragedies before they occur. By highlighting the formal Road Safety Audit (RSA) process, we show planners how multidisciplinary teams move projects from assessment to implementation. This framework benefits the planning community by providing defensible methods to prioritize investments and secure federal funding, ensuring long-term safety success in even the most resource-constrained environments.

This presentation by Federal Highway Administration Office of Tribal Transportation (FHWA-OTT) addresses "data deserts" in tribal transportation, where traditional analysis fails due to sparse crash data. We demonstrate a proactive, systemic approach that identifies predictable risk factors like roadside hazards to prevent tragedies before they occur. By highlighting the formal Road Safety Audit (RSA) process, we show planners how multidisciplinary teams move projects from assessment to implementation. This framework benefits the planning community by providing defensible methods to prioritize investments and secure federal funding, ensuring long-term safety success in even the most resource-constrained environments.

Jamie Wark, Senior Project Manager, SRF Consulting

Chris Kwilinski, Safety Program Specialist, Federal Highway Administration - Office of Tribal Transportation.

Tribal nations across the West are pursuing energy development as a pathway to sovereignty, economic resilience, and self-determination. Yet planners in adjacent and overlapping jurisdictions often lack the frameworks to engage meaningfully with tribal energy priorities. This session draws on real-world project experience to explore how tribal energy development intersects with rural community planning, land use, and economic development. Attendees will gain practical insight into the regulatory, cultural, and collaborative dimensions of tribal energy projects, along with strategies for building effective government-to-government partnerships that respect tribal sovereignty while advancing shared regional goals.

Presenters

Prof. Saxon Metzger, CEO - Polaris EcoSystems

Prof. Saxon Metzger, MBA, AICP, MEI, is President of Polaris EcoSystems and Eighth Generation Consulting, where he leads tribal energy, environmental, and community planning projects across the Western U.S. He teaches economics, business, and sustainability at Wilmington University and NYU Stern School of Business. His work focuses on building practical partnerships between tribal nations and the communities that surround them.

This session highlights the Horace Downtown Neighborhood Plan and how a fast-growing community used collaborative planning to envision a vibrant, walkable downtown. Speakers will share the process behind setting a clear vision, engaging residents and stakeholders, and translating ideas into achievable land use, transportation, and placemaking strategies. The session explores balancing growth pressures with small-town character, capitalizing on a Complete Streets approach, and aligning public and private investment. Attendees will gain practical lessons on phasing implementation, coordinating with elected officials, and using neighborhood plans as tools to guide redevelopment, support local businesses, and create downtowns that are resilient and community-centered.

Presenters

Luke Champa, AICP, Transportation Planning Lead - SRF Consulting Group 

Luke serves as a planning consultant with diverse experience in regional planning, metropolitan transportation planning, and urban & rural design.  He works closely with federal, state, and local agencies to forward public interest and deliver products that clients and stakeholders take pride in.  Luke focuses on recognizing client and stakeholder needs to deliver high-quality, actionable products grounded in big-thinking practicality.

Tanya Olson, PLA, Principal in Charge - Tallgrass Landscape Architecture

Tanya Olson is a landscape architect dedicated to helping rural communities thrive. A founding partner at Tallgrass Landscape Architecture, she is experienced in working alongside small towns to craft visions that are both inspiring and attainable. Her work centers on right sized planning, authentic community engagement, and designs that strengthen the social, cultural, and ecological fabric of rural places.

Michael Maddox, AICP, Senior Transportation Planner - Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Council of Governments (Metro COG)

Michael Maddox is a transportation and planning professional with the Fargo–Moorhead Metropolitan Council of Governments (Metro COG), supporting coordinated regional planning efforts across the metro area. His work focuses on advancing transportation planning initiatives, policy development, and collaboration among local, state, and regional partners to improve mobility and quality of life in the region.

Nathaniel Mchaffie, City Planner - City of Horace

Nathaniel McHaffie is a planning professional with the City of Horace, supporting the city’s growth through land use planning, development review, and policy implementation. He works closely with city staff, elected officials, and regional partners to guide thoughtful development and advance community planning goals.

This panel session explores how communities can move from planning to action using the Hartford, South Dakota, Community Development Plan and the award winning Le Mars, Iowa, Community Development Plan as case studies. Panelists representing local government and consulting partners will share how a 10  to 20 year development framework aligned housing, economic development, and quality-of-place investments. Participants will learn how transparent engagement, data-driven planning, and implementable strategies helped generate development momentum, maintain stakeholder buy in, and produce measurable results. Attendees will leave with replicable tools and approaches to guide proactive community development in communities of all sizes.

Presenters

Danielle Propst, AICP, Senior Planner -  I & S Group, Inc. (ISG)

Danielle is a certified planner with expertise in leading community development initiatives, stakeholder engagement, and implementation-focused planning. As project manager and lead planner for the Le Mars Community Development Plan, her work has earned multiple state and national planning awards. She specializes in translating long range plans into actionable outcomes.

Ronna Poppens, MBA, Development Strategist - I & S Group, Inc. (ISG)

Ronna helps communities bring bold visions to life through strategic development, storytelling, and cross-sector collaboration. She applies a people-centered approach to align community priorities with economic development strategies, ensuring plans are not only visionary but implementable.

Mark Gaul, Community Development Director - City of Le Mars, Iowa

Mark serves as the Community Development Director for the City of Le Mars and has over 20 years of experience in municipal planning and economic development. He has been instrumental in implementing the Le Mars Community Development Plan, advancing housing, economic growth, and quality-of-life initiatives while maintaining the city’s community character.

Arden Jones, Mayor - City of Hartford, South Dakota

Mayor Arden brings a policymaker’s perspective on implementing long-range planning and community investment strategies. He will share insights on leadership, collaboration, and translating planning efforts into tangible outcomes for growing communities.

Planning is evolving as communities face more complex decisions around growth, housing, and resilience. Traditional engagement methods—public meetings, boards, and reports—often struggle to communicate these issues in a clear and meaningful way. This session introduces immersive planning as a more effective approach, using visualization, storytelling, and experiential tools to help people understand and evaluate choices. Attendees will see how creating an experience—not just presenting information—can improve participation, build trust, and lead to better outcomes. Supporting technologies, including AI-assisted tools, are used to enhance storytelling and dialogue, not replace professional judgment.

Presenters

Bruce Meighen, AICP, CEO / Principal Planner - Logan Simpson

Bruce Meighen is CEO and Principal Planner at Logan Simpson with more than 30 years of experience leading award-winning comprehensive plans across the western United States. His work focuses on responsible growth, community engagement, and advancing immersive, experience-based planning approaches.

Megan Moore, AICP, Assoc. AIA, Principal Planner - Logan Simpson

Megan Moore is a Principal at Logan Simpson with expertise in urban design and architecture. She focuses on translating planning concepts into visual and experiential formats that improve understanding and engagement.

From the process of identifying an issue, to gathering impacted assesses, projects, and meaningful outcomes it can be a challenge to determine what project(s) may be needed to help elevate and open up planning potential for specific areas impacted by floodplain that may or may not be reflected entirely or partially within a FEMA FIRM. This discussion focuses on the beginning process of starting a few study projects within the City of Sioux Falls that focused on bringing together better data, analyzing the data, and helping different departments get the information they need to plan for the next 50 years.

Presenters

Albert Schmidt, Community Development Director - City of Tea

Albert has been doing urban planning and floodplain administration in South Dakota since 2008. He has held roles in communities of five-thousand, two-hundred-thousand, and eight-thousand during his 18 years of professional work. 

Kyle Werning, Water Resources Engineer - Houston Engineering

Kyle is a Water Resources Engineer with Houston Engineering specializing in water management and modeling across the upper Midwest. His professional work specializes in the design and analysis of both urban and rural stormwater, water quality best management practices, wetland and stream restorations, floodplain compliance, bridge/culvert modeling, and project management.

Aaron Fagerness , Principal Stormwater Engineer - City of Sioux Falls

He started his career in the private sector and came over to work for the City of Sioux Falls over 6 years ago. He has done water resource and transportation design over his 23 year career. 

Meaningful engagement with Tribes and American Indian communities is critical for creating plans and policies that reflect their needs and priorities, uphold sovereignty, and foster respectful partnerships. This session will explore how the Metropolitan Council convened and continues to partner with an American Indian Advisory Council to develop and implement Land, Water, and People Commitments across each of its policy areas. The session will include perspectives from a policy maker, a community leader, and staff on successes and lessons learned.    

Presenters

Angela Torres, Senior Manager, Local Planning Assistance  - Metropolitan Council

Angela R. Torres, AICP (she/her) is the Metropolitan Council’s Senior Manager of Local Planning Assistance in the Community Development Division. For nearly 20 years, she has worked as a professional land use planner in both the public and private sector. For Imagine 2050, the Council’s comprehensive development guide, she led development of regional land use and density policy, facilitated adoption of equity frameworks, and co-led the American Indian Advisory Council partnership. 

Allison Waukau, Tribal Liaison and Native Relations Coordinator - Metropolitan Council

Allison Waukau (Menominee/Navajo) lives in Minneapolis, MN, where she works alongside Tribal Nations, community members, and public agencies to build relationships rooted in respect and reciprocity. She currently serves as the Tribal Liaison and Native Relations Coordinator at the Metropolitan Council, supporting government-to-government collaboration and uplifting Native voices in regional planning.  

Robert Lilligren, Council Member, District 6 - Metropolitan Council

Robert Lilligren (White Earth Ojibwe) is a Council Member for the Met Council and President and CEO of the Native American Community Development Institute. In his professional, political, and activist work, Council Member Lilligren emphasizes equity, inclusive decision-making, and collaboration. He was appointed to the Metropolitan Council in March 2019 representing District 6 and serves as Chair of the Community Development Committee.  

Dr. Kate Beane, Executive Director - Minnesota Museum of American Art

Dr. Kate Beane (Flandreau Santee Sioux Dakota and Muscogee Creek) holds a BA in American Indian Studies and PhD in American Studies from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. She is the Executive Director of the Minnesota Museum of American Art, and serves as adjunct faculty in American Indian Studies at the University of Minnesota. She is also a founding member of the Met Council's American Indian Advisory Council.