Membership Benefits

Women in Planning + Development (WP+D) is a unique forum for women professionals to expand their professional skills, network, and exchange ideas while contributing to the improvement and development of Chicagoland. Our members represent over 60 public, private, and non-profit sector organizations providing a wide range of services including urban planning and design, affordable housing, architecture and landscape architecture, construction management, community development, economic development, education, government, real estate law, management consulting, transportation, public/private partnerships, municipal finance, and real estate consulting, development, & management!

By attending WP+D sponsored programs and being involved on WP+D committees, WP+D membership offers rich personal and professional rewards.  Specific benefits of membership include:

Membership Directory offers valuable contact information for a wide network of women – from students to young professionals to mid-career and retired leaders in the field of planning and development.  Printed in hard copy for easy desk reference, this book is worth the price of membership alone!

WP+Drinks at a different locations throughout the city. Get to know fellow WP+D members and develop contacts with other professional women in your field.

Discounted Admission to WP+D events and and intimate networking opportunities that aim to develop friendship among our members as well as professional ties.

Member Appreciation Picnic in the summer free to all WP+D members where we hold elections for the incoming WP+D Board of Directors.

Holiday Party winter networking at a festive location.  Past years have included a chocolate champagne party at Ethel's and a cocktail party at Corosh!

Burnham Plan Centennial-Oriented Programming events and speakers. An official Program Partner for the Burnham Centennial, WP+D will offer quarterly speaker events showcasing Chicagoland women leaders and their perspectives on Burnham's planning legacy in Chicago.

WP+D has three membership levels to match the focus of the organization:

Student Member ($25) – for current students and recent graduates (3 mos.). WP+D offers an introduction to a wide network of women outside of the academic environment. In your fellow members, you will find potential mentors, friends, and possibly a future employer.

Professional Member ($50) – for young professionals and non-profit/public sector professionals. WP+D offers targeted career advancement opportunities and skills training in a more social setting than other organizations.

Sustaining Member ($75) – for established professionals and women who are able to subsidize the student membership rate. WP+D offers an opportunity to mentor energetic young women in your field; or if you have limited availability, act as an advisor to a committee and attend annual events such as the Member Appreciation Picnic to network with your peers.

Women in Planning and Development (WP+D) is a non-profit corporation under IRS 501(c)(6) with taxpayer ID 36-3862393 . Donations and Dues made to WP+D are not tax deductible.