2026 FPZA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Florida’s planning and zoning community will come together in Sarasota for three days of collaboration, creativity, and forward-looking insight at the 2026 FPZA Annual Conference. With this year’s theme — Palette of Possibilities: The Art of Planning — we’ll explore the innovative tools, policies, and perspectives shaping Florida’s communities and the professionals who design them. From expert-led sessions to meaningful peer exchange, attendees will gain fresh inspiration and practical strategies for painting a more resilient, livable, and dynamic Florida.
Below, you’ll find links for registration, sponsorship, hotel accommodations, and the call for speakers. The event is being hosted by The FPZA Gulf Coast Chapter. Please contact them directly with any questions.
The Conference will open Wednesday, May 27th with the Welcome Lunch at noon. Evening receptions will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, after sessions – guests are welcome to attend, but additional receptions tickets are required.
The annual FPZA awards lunch will be held at noon on the final day of the conference , May 29th. Guest tickets for the awards lunch may be purchased with registration.
Full conference/day registration includes lunches and receptions for the ticket holder. Please only purchase additional reception/lunch tickets if you are planning on bringing a guest.
CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION DETAILS
All proposals need to be submitted before end of day on February 27, 2026.
All sessions are scheduled to run 1.5 hours and should be planned to fill that entire time slot (may include Q&A period up to 15 minutes).
Direct questions to: Rebecca Webster, AICP, rebecca.webster@sarasotafl.gov
The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota
1111 Ritza Carlton Drive
Sarasota, FL 34236
The discounted room rate is $289 per night, plus $35 resort fee and 13% tax (unless tax exempt).
Group rate is available through April 26th or until block is full, whichever comes first.
With white-sand beaches, museums, dynamic dining and more, Sarasota is both an exciting urban destination and an elegant coastal retreat. The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota bridges these two worlds with unparalleled luxury and experiences. Enjoy exclusive access to The Beach Club on Lido Key, an onsite spa, championship golf, spacious suites and guest rooms and 60,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space at this Gulf Coast destination. Book your room at our luxury resort and spa in Sarasota and let us create experiences so exceptional that every stay is more memorable than the last.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK HOTEL RESERVATIONS
The Florida Planning and Zoning Association (FPZA) invites planners, community leaders, and development professionals from across the state to beautiful Sarasota, FL. This year’s theme embraces thoughtful planning rooted in community, celebrating culture, art, and place-making.
FPZA’s annual conference brings together practitioners and advocates from across the state to learn, connect, and explore what’s next for Florida’s communities. By supporting FPZA, you help build stronger partnerships, more informed decision-making, and a resilient, prosperous future for the places we call home.
CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE SPONSOR FORM
Please make checks payable to: Gulf Coast Chapter FPZA
The FPZA Awards recognize outstanding land development and public/private sector planning statewide. For several decades, the awards program has been the centerpiece of FPZA’s acknowledgment and promotion of best practices in planning throughout Florida.
FZPA encourages members to submit award applications. Projects must have been approved or completed during the last two calendar years (2024 or 2025).
- Outstanding Development/Design Excellence: Newly planned, designed, or built “brick and mortar” projects that demonstrate superior form and function.
- Outstanding Redevelopment: Reuse of a site, facility or structure.
- Outstanding Study/Plan: Reports, studies, plans, documents, planning analysis, etc.
- Infrastructure: Plans or projects that skillfully blend facilities or services into the community.
- Innovation: Project or development that is unusual or ahead of its time.
- Education: Plans or efforts that effectively promote planning and zoning best practices.
- Grassroots/Non-Profit Initiative: Recognizes a nonprofit or neighborhood organization that has furthered the quality of life through the planning process within its community, such as: new or redevelopment, infrastructure, outreach, cultural events, education, health, festivals, tourism, and environmental.
- Sustainability: Plans or projects that improve on and harmonize with the natural environment and reduce energy costs.
- Outstanding Elected Official: Local, state or federal elected official who champions sound planning practices and accomplishes positive gains in areas of smart growth, environmental preservation, sustainable development, or equity planning.
- Outstanding Journalist: Journalist who effectively and accurately puts forth information about planning and zoning issues to the public.
- Outstanding FPZA Chapter: The chapter that increases or maintains their membership, achieves FPZA goals, and provides quality programs for its chapter members.
- George W. Simons, Jr. Award: Candidate must be a current member of FPZA; evaluation is based upon the person’s work and efforts over time and evaluation will also be based upon work directed towards the stated purposes, mission and goals of FPZA.