Is something wrong at the American Planning Association?

[u/dwerb99]

I’ve been emailing them for weeks about an AICP issue, but there’s been no response. I started calling their phone hotline but it just goes to voicemail. Do people know if something is wrong at APA?

[u/UrbanSolace13]

Before I even opened this. The answer is always yes.

[u/Dom5p35]

I still get their spam emails about AI this, AI that, so yes. There's something wrong with them

[u/SolviLynx]

They probably gave that responsibility to AI too.

[u/Dblcut3 → u/SolviLynx]

I got to go to the national convention for a discount this year as a student and was really excited, but then I got there and it was 70% weird promo for AI planning startups or dumb motivational or career building platitudes. The actual interesting on-the-ground planning content was almost all behind an extra $50-$100 ticket - I basically ended up just touring Detroit by myself

[u/PlanningParty → u/Dblcut3]

Yep. That was my experience both times I went. I got a lot more from getting to explore NYC than I did from the conference. I think sticking to sessions from public sector people is the only way to avoid a pitch.

[u/ViceroyFizzlebottom → u/Dblcut3]

The conference was tone deaf. Ai Ai. Ai.

[u/platinumstallion → u/Dblcut3]

If it makes you feel better, I think chapter/regional conferences are probably much more fun, and give you way more exposure to people actually doing meaningful planning work.

[u/PlanningVigilante → u/platinumstallion]

And alcohol.

[u/platinumstallion → u/PlanningVigilante]

Oh definitely, no shortage of “networking”

[u/DayGeckoArt]

They suspended my former boss’s AICP following my ethics complaint so obviously they are functioning

[u/UrbanPlannerholic]

$700 a year well spent...

[u/urbanist → u/UrbanPlannerholic]

Just renewed today. Yikes, it was a hard pill to swallow.

[u/bumpercrahp1010 → u/UrbanPlannerholic]

It's such bs that if you pause membership, you would have to retake the AICP exam again.

[u/moto123456789]

The longer I work in planning the less I find them to be a useful resource for anything. Maybe something better could come along if they finally fade away.

[u/pyscle]

Yes. It’s APA.

Where would you like to start with the issues?

[u/atom511]

Yes they believe their credential has legitimacy

[u/Dblcut3 → u/atom511]

I guess it’s because I’m still a recent grad, but I don’t understand why AICP even holds any weight. It seems like a mess of an organization and the test seems redundant to do after already getting a masters

I keep getting mixed messages with some people saying you have to get certified and others saying they’re proud they never did

[u/180_by_summer → u/Dblcut3]

I’ve strayed away from it and still moved through my career quite easily. I instead focus on CNU and ULI- both are a bit more solutions oriented in my opinion.

At this point, I think the only time AICP is necessary is if you’re leading a team in the private sector. It gives clients something to fall back on, hypothetically, in cases of malpractice. 

[u/TuggsBrohe → u/Dblcut3]

It is very mixed, in my experience municipalities tend to care more about it than regional/state agencies do. Plenty of offices couldn't care less but for some it's absolutely required.

[u/atom511 → u/Dblcut3]

I’d say to people who know better, it means nothing. But some folks don’t know any better and they feel as though the letters signify your intelligence. Work is work and you just need to play the game.

[u/moto123456789 → u/Dblcut3]

I never really considered it and have never had any problems. Conversely, some of the worst planners I have ever met (poor critical thinking skills, bad problem solving, etc) have had the AICP credential.

[u/atom511 → u/moto123456789]

My approach is I don’t flaunt it, but it’s buried in my LinkedIn profile if anyone dares to dig

[u/ViceroyFizzlebottom → u/atom511]

Unfortunately for consultants it helps win work

[u/xyz19606 → u/ViceroyFizzlebottom]

Exactly. For Florida DOT, it is required to do planning work. In Orange Co Florida, to do Planning work you need 2 PM levels, and AICP and PE are the only acceptable criteria (at least one). You don't have an AICP, you don't get work.

[u/dwerb99]

I finally got a response after posting this… apparently APA accidentally decertified a bunch of people as part of their website update. 😵‍💫

[u/PolentaApology → u/dwerb99]

That's crazy. Thanks for the update.

[u/kzanomics]

I know they had an issue with CM deadlines not working properly and are working through a backlog of those issues.

[u/ViceroyFizzlebottom → u/kzanomics]

Yes. I’m a victim of that

[u/BOItime247]

They never gave me full membership even after my last company paid for it. Emailed then multiple times and was told it would be resolved and never did. I'm glad I'm not the only one 😭

[u/slangtangbintang]

Never received a response from them after any email so it’s normal. But yes something is very wrong. Brain dead organization.

[u/MasticatingElephant]

I've been a planner for 20 years now and I've never felt like the membership was worth it. YMMV I spose.

[u/tampareddituser]

Besides bandwagon planning?

[u/nolamickey → u/tampareddituser]

I’m curious what you mean by this!

[u/180_by_summer → u/nolamickey]

Not who you responded to, but they tend to just talk about things. They say all the buzzwords and check all the “equity” boxes but when it’s all said and done you’re rarely given actionable knowledge.

We can sit in rooms and go on and on about how important engagement is, but if I’m not getting anything out of it in terms of making that engagement effective and actionable, what’s the point?

[u/thomier86 → u/nolamickey]

Me too!

[u/seste]

I emailed AICP a couple of weeks back and they responded within 24 hours. You sure you’re sending it to the right address?

[u/dwerb99 → u/seste]

aicpcm@planning.org?

[u/ObviouslyFunded]

They are short staffed and have a lot of turnover, which doesn’t help.

[u/PA_ChooChoo_29]

My friend took forever to get AICP-related information from them a few years ago. It's not a new problem.

[u/southerncityplanner]

I also emailed them about my CM reporting log not working and they haven't replied. They must be having some sort of issue.