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From the ASLA Council of Fellows
Council of Fellows Update
September 2026
In this issue: A message from Elizabeth Kennedy as we head into Los Angeles, details on the Council of Fellows Business Workshop, the Fellows and Honors Gala, an opportunity to support COF Scholarships, and ASLA 2026 registration.
A Message from Elizabeth Kennedy, FASLA
Dear Fellows,
The ASLA Conference in Los Angeles is almost here, and I hope you're as energized as I am to gather with fellow Fellows in person. It’s a rare chance to reconnect, celebrate this year’s inductees, and put our collective experience to work for the Society.
Below you’ll find the details for our Council of Fellows Business Workshop, as well as the Fellows and Honors Gala—a wonderful evening honoring our newest class of Fellows. I encourage you to get your tickets and join us in celebrating them.
In tandem with the Gala, we are also launching an exciting matching campaign for the COF Scholarship Fund. I urge everyone to get an early jump on giving today—every dollar contributed now goes directly toward unlocking our dollar-for-dollar match and building vital momentum for the next generation of landscape architects.
Looking forward to seeing you in Los Angeles,
Elizabeth Kennedy, FASLA
Chair, ASLA Council of Fellows
Council of Fellows Business Workshop (Los Angeles)
This year the traditional business meeting takes on a new, interactive format: the Business Workshop, on September 18, 2026, 10:30am–12:00pm—scheduled during an education session slot to allow more time for meaningful discussion and outcomes.
Workshop Description
The Council of Fellows Business Workshop at the ASLA Conference in Los Angeles brings a dynamic format that transforms the traditional business meeting into an engaging, interactive working session. Designed to better leverage the experience and wisdom of ASLA Fellows, this 75-minute workshop will combine strategic updates, professional insights, and facilitated small-group discussions to focus on how Fellows can most effectively support the Society and the profession.
The session will begin with a brief overview of ASLA's strategic priorities, followed by updates from ASLA leadership on current initiatives in professional practice, advocacy, and member engagement. These perspectives will ground the conversation in the most pressing opportunities and needs across the organization.
Building on this context, participants will take part in charrette-style breakout discussions to explore actionable ways the Council of Fellows can contribute. We will explore the vision for the future of the profession, and the roles ASLA and its Fellows might play in shaping it, both now and in the years ahead. Emphasis will be placed on developing ideas that are both high-impact and practical to implement – the first step in creating a framework for dynamic volunteerism.
This workshop is intended to actively engage members of the Council of Fellows and align their collective expertise with ASLA's strategic plan. By focusing on achievable, meaningful contributions, the session aims to position Fellows as a powerful, coordinated resource to help advance ASLA's goals and objectives. The outcome will be a set of clear, actionable ideas and a shared direction for how the Council can support the Society in the year ahead, while reinforcing the value and leadership role of Fellows within the profession.
The business meeting will open the session, running for 20 minutes, followed by the 70-minute strategy workshop described above. To make the most of this time, we ask attendees to submit any specific questions for the business meeting in advance, allowing us to address them efficiently and preserve the full 70 minutes for the collaborative workshop discussions. If you have a knack for facilitation, let us know! We’ll need facilitators for each breakout group.
The Fellows and Honors Gala — Get Your Tickets
Thursday, September 17, 2026 | 6:30–10:00 PM PT
JW Marriott L.A. Live, Platinum Ballroom
Sponsored by Burke
Join friends and colleagues as we bring the profession’s most prestigious moments into a single, high-impact evening celebrating the legends who built our past and the leaders who will drive our future. We will honor the 2026 Class of the Council of Fellows and recognize the recipients of the 2026 ASLA Honors.
Tickets are available through your ASLA Conference registration portal. If you are not registered but plan to attend in support of a Fellow being inducted, please coordinate with them to secure your ticket.
Fuel the Future: Double Your Impact for COF Scholarships
As we prepare to celebrate our newest class of ASLA Fellows and honor the 2026 Council of Fellows Scholarship recipients at the upcoming conference, we invite you to take the lead in supporting the next generation of landscape architects.
Every year, the COF Scholarship Program empowers deserving students with the resources and mentorship they need to thrive in their education and enter the profession. At this year's Fellows Gala on September 17, we are launching an on-site fundraising sprint backed by a generous dollar-for-dollar matching pool.
You don’t have to wait for the gala to make your mark. Fellows and supporters can get a head start today—every dollar given now counts directly toward unlocking the full match. Whether you will be joining us in person or cheering from afar, your early gift sets the pace for the entire campaign.
ARE YOU REGISTERED FOR ASLA 2026 in Los Angeles?
We hope you'll join colleagues from across the profession at the ASLA 2026 Conference on Landscape Architecture in Los Angeles.
Donate to the Fellows Scholarship
The Council of Fellows Scholarship Program helps outstanding landscape architecture students continue their education by addressing unmet financial need and expanding diversity in the profession. With the Council’s $1 million fundraising goal in sight, every contribution matters. Your support directly funds scholarships that open doors for the next generation of landscape architects.