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09/02/2025

Why you should meet our APAIL25 keynote, Margaret Chandra Kerrison

APAIL25 Keynote Speaker Margaret Chandra Kerrison

I have made it no secret how meaningful it is for me to chair the 2025 State Conference. One of the biggest reasons why is our keynote speaker, Margaret Chandra Kerrison.

  • She served as a Story Lead with Walt Disney Imagineering;
  • She was entrusted with safeguarding the story of Star Wars for its first foray into the physical environment;
  • She later joined the Airbnb Experiences team as a Senior Creative Lead; and
  • She is a has been an integral member of six teams that won THEA awards.

While these achievements are remarkable, these are not the reasons I’m excited for you to meet her.

Join the Keynote & Fireside Chat

  • Friday 10:30 am - 11:30 am (CM 1.0)
  • Included with conference registration.

She is excited to meet you. Margaret sees how the same creative strategies that go into creating immersive experiences can be used to improve our real world projects. Our developments. Our downtowns. Our corner side lot fence permits. Our communities.

You will walk away energized and inspired with fresh tools for your planning toolbox. After spending time with Margaret, our conference team is confident—once you hear her speak, it will be impossible not to feel a spark of inspiration.

Join us at Margaret's Workshop

  • Friday 10/10, 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm (CM 2.5)
  • $40 Workshop ticket. Limit 100 participants.

If you want to put your new tools to the test, consider attending Margaret’s hands-on workshop. Bring a current, past, or dream project of your own and Margaret will lead you through her STORY method and Immersive Story Question (ISQ) Wheel so you can apply it to your project: a proposed development, a corridor, or even the story of your entire community.

Purchase Reimagined Worlds: Narrative Placemaking for People, Play, and Purpose

APA-IL is offering the opportunity to purchase Margaret’s book, Reimagined Worlds: Narrative Placemaking for People, Play, and Purpose, A Designer’s Manifesto. APA-IL is offering several options for attendees to take advantage of these activities and Margaret’s book:

  • Keynote & Fireside Chat only (included with registration)
  • Reimagined Worlds book ($30)
  • Keynote & Fireside Chat with the 2.5 hour Workshop ($40)
  • Keynote & Fireside Chat with the 2.5 hour Workshop and Reimagined Worlds book ($60)

A limited number of books will be sold at the conference.

I am so grateful to get to share this experience with you, the best planners our state has to offer.

Sincerely,
Phil

Phillip Green, AICP
2025 APA-IL Conference Chair

Don't forget....

Sponsorship
A wide range of sponsorship packages are available. Early pricing is available till September 5, 2025. Download the prospectus, click here to sign-up, or email Shelly Greenwood at CGi.

Volunteer!
Every epic tale needs its heroes—volunteer 1/2 a day and get the same day for free. Sign up!

Questions?
Don't hesitate to contact us:

Conference Details

2025 APA-IL State Conference
October 8-10, 2025
Old Post Office
433 W Van Buren St., Chicago
#APAIL25
ilapa.org/apail25

Click here for the full agenda.

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