2026 Joint Montana & Idaho Chapter Conference
Across the Divide: Planning for a Shared Future
This year’s conference celebrates shared planning challenges at a joint conference of the Montana and Idaho Chapters.
Conference Details
When: September 9-11, 2026
Where: University of Montana Western campus, Dillon, MT
Welcome to Dillon!
Keynote Speakers
Ben Hitchings, FAICP, CZO
Principal, Green Heron Plannning LLC & APA Region II Board Director
Ben Hitchings, FAICP, CZO, is the Principal of Green Heron Planning, LLC based in Durham, North Carolina, and a fellow at the UNC School of Government. He has more than 30 years of experience working on planning issues, and has developed award-winning community plans and professional publications. A former planning director for the towns of Chapel Hill and Morrisville, North Carolina, Ben is a member of the American Planning Association’s Board of Directors. He is the co-author of Managing Disruption in a Rapidly-Changing World: A Briefing Book for Decision-Makers in North Carolina, published in 2024 by the UNC School of Government.
Kelly Pohl
Associate Director, Headwaters Economics
Kelly Pohl is Associate Director at Headwaters Economics, a Montana-based independent, nonprofit research organization that works to improve community development and land management decisions so that people and places can thrive. Kelly’s work centers on how communities use and manage land amid rapidly changing economies and risk–from reducing wildfire risk in the wildland-urban interface through land use planning, to balancing recreation, conservation, and development. Before joining Headwaters, she coordinated public-private land conservation and public access projects and has worked as a fire ecologist and park naturalist.
Call for Sessions is Open!
We invite planners and allied professionals from Idaho, Montana, and across the region to submit a session proposal for the 2026 APA MT & ID Conference. Your experience, ideas, and stories can inspire and inform planners across the Mountain West.
Proposals due June 30th, 2026. Submissions received after this date will be accepted and considered until all sessions are full.
This year’s theme is:
Across the Divide: Planning for a Shared Future, Exploring how communities collaborate across jurisdictions, sectors, and landscapes to address shared challenges in the Mountain West.
Conference Accommodations
The central meeting point for this conference is the University of Montana Western Campus in Dillon, Montana. Approximately 200 hotel rooms are available city-wide. A good variety of vacation rentals are available. For those that want to enjoy a more nature-oriented experience in the Beaverhead River valley, several RV parks can be found in-town. All accommodations listed are located within approximately one mile of the campus.
Fairbridge Inn
Fairbridge is holding 20 rooms for the 2026 Conference. Discounted conference rate available. To reserve a room you must call the hotel.
Call 406-683-3636 and let them know you’d like to reserve a room under the Montana Association of Planners block rate. Discount may otherwise be provided for government employees.
Beaverhead Lodge
Beaverhead Lodge is holding 25 rooms for the 2026 Conference. Discounted conference rate available. To reserve a room you must call the hotel.
Call 406-683-5555 and let them know you’d like to reserve a room under the Montana Association of Planners group reservation. You will be required to provide a credit card, and have your name added to the room. Discount may otherwise be provided for government employees.
Quality Inn
Quality Inn is holding 20 rooms for the 2026 Conference. Use Code: ML63X3
Phone Number: 406-683-6831
Rooms must be booked before Friday, Aug 7, 2026 to secure the block discount.
Sundowner Motel
The Sundowner Motel is holding 20 rooms for the 2026 Conference. Discounted conference rate available. To reserve a room you must call the hotel. The Sundowner is the most affordable overnight option averaging $71-$81 per night.
Call 406-683-2375 and let them know you’d like to reserve a room under the Montana Association of Planners block rate. Discount may otherwise be provided for government employees.
Best Western Paradise Inn
Address: 650 N Montana St, Dillon, MT 59725
Phone: 406-683-4214
Super 8 Motel
Address: 550 N Montana St, Dillon, MT 59725
Phone: 406-988-0908
Southside RV Park
Located 1/2 mile from Campus
Beaverhead River RV Park
Located 1.4 miles from Campus
2026 MT Conference Sponsorships
The Montana Association of Planners (MAP) is releasing a Call for Sponsors for our annual conference, which will be a joint Montana & Idaho effort in 2026. We are excited about the unique opportunity this offers to share ideas and collaborate across state lines.
Sponsorship Opportunities offer a wide variety of unique benefits, such as:
- Sponsorship of our Keynote (TBA), socials, meals, or breaks
- Recognition at opening remarks and AICP required sessions
- Logos or ad spaces on our Website, and in Conference emails and programs
- Receive up to 3 individual Conference Registrations – a nearly $1,000 value
- Vendor space for promotions and direct engagement with attendees
Review the Conference Sponsorship Guide below to explore available opportunities and choose the tier that best fits your needs.
Please have your logo and Ad-Page ready in PNG or PDF format for upload when submitting your sponsorship.
We’re open to working with you or your organization to meet unique needs, and welcome offers for in-kind products or services that add to Conference excellence.
2026 ID Conference Sponsorships
Interested in supporting American Planning Association Idaho Chapter at the 2026 Joint Idaho & Montana Conference? APA Idaho sponsorship opportunities provide a great way to connect with planners, elected officials, consultants, and community leaders from across the region while supporting Idaho-focused programming and initiatives.
A big thank you to our APA Montana Sponsors!
Summit Sponsor
Partner Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
