The Utah Chapter of the American Planning Association is looking to recognize and honor planning efforts across the State. As part of this process, we encourage each entity that has undertaken or completed a planning effort over the last year to submit the projects they have been working on or nominate an individual who promotes planning professionalism in Utah.

Submit a Nomination

We encourage you to help us celebrate the people, plans, and projects shaping stronger communities across Utah.

Submit your nomination here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSffbdH7HR6SJPJIWFIz-Mm7sVw3yN4ItzTlQyO5FLYS8UrUcQ/viewform
Deadline: June 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM

Award Categories

Public Outreach Award

Honors a plan, project, or process that meaningfully engaged the public through information, consultation, coordination, collaboration, and/or empowerment.
Public outreach must be completed by December 31, 2025.

Outstanding Plan Awards

Rural
Recognizes a written plan that advances the science and art of planning or raises awareness of the benefits of good planning. Rural plans typically serve smaller municipalities, towns, or counties outside of Cache, Davis, Salt Lake, Utah, and Weber Counties.
Plans must be adopted by December 31, 2025.

Urban
Recognizes a written plan that advances the science and art of planning or raises awareness of the benefits of good planning. Urban plans typically serve larger municipalities or those within Cache, Davis, Salt Lake, Utah, and Weber Counties.
Plans must be adopted by December 31, 2025.

Multi-Jurisdiction
Recognizes a written plan serving two or more jurisdictions of any size.
Plans must be adopted prior to nomination and by December 31, 2025.

Planning Tool or Implementation Award

Honors a planning tool, program, project, or process that has resulted in positive change.
Must be completed by December 31, 2025.

George Smeath Planning Student Award

Recognizes a student enrolled in a planning or related academic program in Utah for outstanding academic achievement. Students may be nominated while enrolled or within two years of graduation.

Ted Knowlton Planning Leadership Award

Recognizes a professional planner or elected official for significant contributions to the planning profession through distinguished practice in Utah.

Morris Johnson Award

A lifetime achievement award honoring an individual who has made long-term, significant contributions to planning in Utah.
Selected by the APA Utah Executive Board.

Gene Moser Award

Recognizes a non-planner (such as a commissioner, board member, appointed official, or engaged citizen) for meaningful contributions to planning excellence in Utah.

Gene Carr Award

Recognizes an individual for outstanding contributions to planning education or training in Utah.