APA CA 2025 Conference: Reconnecting Communities

September 10, 2025 • 2 minute read
People attending a planning conference

APA CA 2025 Conference: Reconnecting Communities

September 10, 2025 • 2 minute read

We look forward to attending the APA California 2025 Conference in beautiful Monterey, California. This conference brings together planning and transportation professionals and community leaders to exchange ideas on improving communities. We’ll be presenting in sessions on key challenges facing California and beyond, including VMT mitigation and travel demand. If you’ll be in Monterey for the event, we’d love to connect!

Student Day Session

So, Why Do You Want to Work Here?

Sunday, Sept. 28 – 11:30 AM PT

Practical advice for interviewing and landing a planning position. What to say (and what not to say), how to handle common interview questions, and how to avoid incomplete or off-target responses. Real-world examples and discussion will highlight what interviewers expect and how to stand out. Part of the Student Day sessions, presented by the California Planning Foundation.

Headshot photo of Chelsea Richer
Chelsea Richer

Principal

Presenter

Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT)

VMT Mitigation Roundtable: From Basics to Breakthroughs

Tuesday, Sept. 30 – 2:30 PM PT

A roundtable discussion on VMT reductions, followed by Q&A on balancing local and state needs and goals. Whether you’re new to VMT mitigation or an experienced practitioner, this session will have something for everyone.

Dan Rubins headshot
Daniel Rubins

Senior Associate

Moderator

headshot of Sonia Anthoine
Sonia Anthoine

Senior Engineer/Planner

Panelist

VMT GPS: Detours and Discoveries in Uncharted Territory

Tuesday, Sept. 30 – 4:00 PM PT

Senate Bill 743 shifted transportation planning from LOS to VMT, prompting public agencies to update thresholds of significance, policies, and regulations. This session shares insights and lessons learned from early implementation, as well as the challenges that remain.

Headshot photo of Sarah Brandenberg
Sarah Brandenberg

Principal

Panelist

Land Use & Climate

Part 2: Shaping California’s Future: General Plan Guidelines Visioning Workshop

Tuesday, Sept. 30 – 2:30 PM PT

The Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation is leading the next update of the General Plan Guidelines and its supplemental documents. This session will begin with an overview of the update process, then participants will break into groups to brainstorm topics and uses for the guidelines. Our team will present on mobility as part of this two-part workshop.

Headshot photo of Jason Pack
Jason Pack

Principal

Presenter

Headshot of staff member Jolene Hayes
Jolene Hayes

Principal

Presenter

Outdoor Recreation & Visitor Travel Demand

Smooth Sailing: Sustainable Access to California’s Coastal Destinations

Wednesday, Oct. 1 – 9:00 AM PT

California’s coastal destinations have recently experienced dramatic increases in visitor use driven by post-COVID travel, social media, and outdoor recreation trends. A diverse panel will discuss effective solutions for improving access and managing visitor travel demand.

Headshot photo of Matt Haynes
Matt Haynes

Principal

Moderator

Headshot of Alexandra Lee Gardner
Alexandra Lee-Gardner

Senior Transportation Planner

Panelist

Full List of Attendees

More than a dozen of our staff will be attending the APA conference, including the presenters and panelists above. If you’ll be in Monterey, we invite you to connect and meet the team!

headshot of sonia Anthoine

Sonia Anthoine

Senior Engineer/Planner

Photo of staff member Franziska Church

Franziska Church

Principal

Photo of staff member Alexandra Lee-Gardner

Alexandra Lee-Gardner

Senior Transportation Planner

Photo of staff member Matt Haynes

Matt Haynes

Principal

Staff photo of John Muggridge

John Muggridge

Principal

headshot of Sarah Brandenberg

Sarah Brandenberg

Principal

Photo of staff member Rob Hananouchi

Rob Hananouchi

Senior Associate

headshot of Matt Goyne

Matt Goyne

Principal

headshot of Jason Pack

Jason Pack

Principal

headshot of Chelsea Richer

Chelsea Richer

Principal

Photo of staff member Feslia Chen

Feslia Chen

Engineer/Planner

Headshot of staff member John Gard

John Gard

Principal

Headshot of staff member Jolene Hayes

Jolene Hayes

Principal

headshot of Andy Kosinski

Andy Kosinski

Senior Associate

Staff photo of John Muggridge

Daniel Rubins

Senior Associate

headshot of sonia Anthoine

Sonia Anthoine

Senior Engineer/Planner

headshot of Sarah Brandenberg

Sarah Brandenberg

Principal

Photo of staff member Feslia Chen

Feslia Chen

Engineer/Planner

Photo of staff member Franziska Church

Franziska Church

Principal

Headshot of staff member John Gard

John Gard

Principal

Photo of staff member Alexandra Lee-Gardner

Alexandra Lee-Gardner

Senior Planner/Engineer

Photo of staff member Rob Hananouchi

Rob Hananouchi

Senior Associate

Headshot of staff member Jolene Hayes

Jolene Hayes

Principal

Photo of staff member Matt Haynes

Matt Haynes

Principal

headshot of Matt Goyne

Matt Goyne

Principal

headshot of Andy Kosinski

Andy Kosinski

Senior Associate

Staff photo of John Muggridge

John Muggridge

Principal

headshot of Jason Pack

Jason Pack

Principal

headshot of Chelsea Richer

Chelsea Richer

Principal

Daniel Rubins

Senior Associate

APA California 2025 Conference: Waves of Change, Reconnecting Communities
Monterey Conference Center
One Portola Plaza
Monterey, California 93940

September 28 – October 1, 2025

APA CA 2025 graphic

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