Have you ever been in a room with an elected official and realized they don't understand the value of planning? Planners routinely interact with a wide variety of state and local officials, but many report feeling like their elected leaders do not understand or value the expertise planners provide.

That's why APA is launching "It Takes a Planner," an effort aimed at building the influence of planners among state and local elected and appointed officials. It takes a planner to bring long-term vision, data-driven insight, and expert guidance to the decision-making table. Here's how we can make sure planners have a more permanent seat.