Western Planner brings communities and planners together from across the Western U.S. creating opportunities to share unique planning solutions that improve communities and life in the West. You may have attended one of Western Planner’s premier fall conferences (Scottsdale in 2021). Now, as many state planning organizations struggle to support rural and tribal planners, Western Planner is doubling down by initiating a new spring summit in addition to our annual fall conference! Western Planner’s commitment to serving rural, county, small-town, and tribal planners is behind the new Western Matters Rural Summit initiative.

The Western Matters Rural Summit is a “regional approach” that will bring together stakeholders, experts, and enthusiasts from across several states to discuss specific issues impacting planning through a dynamic exchange of ideas at an annual spring summit. The summit will be a platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and capacity building through applied presentations, case studies, and workshops relevant to rural audiences. We envision inclusive discussions that honor indigenous perspectives, celebrate rural lifestyles, and empower local decision-makers to build resilient and thriving communities.