Welcome

We look forward to welcoming you to the CELA 2026 Annual Conference, taking place from March 18 to 21, 2026, in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.

Registration Pricing

Pre-Conference Workshops: (25ppl Max each workshop)

We would like to encourage you to arrive early at the conference to attend one of our pre-conference workshops.

Wednesday, March 18th:

Choose one of the workshop options on Wednesday afternoon:

Leading the Way Administrators Workshop: (1:30 – 4:30, $50) This workshop is designed to build skills and knowledge for program administrators, focusing on leadership, program development, long-term planning and goal setting. 

LAAB Accreditation Workshop: (1:30 – 4:30, $50) This workshop covers a variety of topics to assist programs through the LAAB accreditation process. Great for any academic programs preparing for an upcoming accreditation review or programs interested in accreditation.

Landscape Journal Workshop: (1:30 – 4:30, $50) The editor in chief will share insights and advice on how to get your scholarship published. Best practices, how to write an effective article title and abstract, are interspersed with writing exercises and group discussions.

Conference Field Trips/Excursions:

Wednesday, March 18:

Ultimate Queen City Underground Tour (2:00pm – 5:00pm; $55 – 60 person capacity)

Join us on an unforgettable journey through Cincinnati's vibrant history! Wander through the enchanting Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, boasting the largest collection of 19th century architecture in the United States. Immerse yourself in the captivating Gateway District, a hub that once housed over 130 saloons, bars, and lush beer gardens. Delve beneath the city's bustling streets to discover a secret crypt, the final resting place of some of Cincinnati's earliest settlers. Continue your adventure underground, exploring the hidden tunnels that played a crucial role in the city's renowned brewery legacy.

1 mile walking tour with steep stairs – start of tour is approx.. 15 minute walk from Hyatt Regency Cincinnati.

Tour of Downtown and Over the Rhine Neighborhood Projects, led by 3CDC (2:00pm – 5:00pm; $25 – 40 person capacity)

Take this chance to get an inside look at the design and development of several projects spanning downtown Cincinnati and the Over the Rhine district including Elm Street Plaza, Fountain Square, Washington Park, and Ziegler Park – all led by 3CDC team members involved in the projects.

3 mile walking tour departing from and returning to Hyatt Regency Cincinnati.

Tour of Riverfront Park Projects, led by Smale (2:00pm – 5:00pm; $25 – 40 person capacity)

This tour will explore the history and recent redevelopment of the Cincinnati riverfront area focusing on projects designed to connect the city with the Ohio River and blend history with community life.

3 mile walking tour departing from and returning to Hyatt Regency Cincinnati.

Saturday, March 21:

Drawing Out the Spirits of Place – Sketch Crawl (2:00pm – 5:00pm; $25 – 40 person capacity)

Join landscape architects Chip Sullivan and Elizabeth Boults for a magical journey in search of the genius loci – the spirit of place – as we explore the “Queen City” through drawing, field sketching, and collaging. Gain insights into the creative forces of placemaking and the hidden currents of nature as we meander along the Ohio River, and revel in the embrace of the city’s seven iconic hills.

This ‘Spirit Walk’ includes a variety of onsite exercises to help each participant align themselves with the rhythms of nature and find and record their own spirit of place.

Attendees should bring their own sketchbooks and favorite drawing materials and be comfortable walking and standing for approximately 3 hours.

ITINERARY

Stop 1 - GROUNDING

Stop 2 - THE PORTAL

Stop 3 - FLUIDITY

Stop 4 - THE CROSSING

Stop 5 - SEEING

Stop 6 - FINDING

Stop 7 - SUMMARY

BIOGRAPHIES

 Chip Sullivan is an internationally recognized artist, landscape architect, and professor emeritus in the College of Environmental Design at UC Berkeley, who has devoted his career to promoting landscape architecture as an art form.

 Elizabeth Boults is a landscape architect and senior lecturer in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Design at UC Davis. Her research and professional practice focus on the narrative expressions of genius loci embedded within historical and traditional environmental knowledge.

Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden (2:00pm – 5:00pm; $85 – 28 person capacity)

Explore the famous Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden on your own or with colleagues and friends; self-guided so you can see what you want to see. Check out the award winning gardens, rare and endangered species and highly rated exhibits.

*Students must register using a school issued email address (.edu) to receive the student rate. You must be a registered student at the time of the conference and provide a current transcript prior to the start of the meeting. You can upload your transcript here: https://form.jotform.com/TheCELA/transcript-upload-form

For questions about payments or registration questions, contact at staff@thecela.org or 919-674-4185.

For questions about logistics or the event, contact Ryley Bowen, The CELA Conference Manager, at conference@thecela.org.

CANCELLATIONS & SUBSTITUTIONS:

Conference registrations can only be cancelled by submitting a request via Email to staff@thecela.org. Substitutions are encouraged and must be submitted in writing.

REFUND SCHEDULE:

Until January 31, 2026: Full refund, minus $100 administrative fee

February 1 - 28, 2026:  50% refund

March 1, 2026 and after: Substitutions only

No refunds or credits will be given to “no shows”.

This policy applies to all conference registrations, additional workshops, field sessions, and other registration items.

Hotel Information: 

The conference is being held at the Hyatt Regency Cincinnati. We have reserved a block of rooms for CELA conference attendees. Rooms start at $199 a night. This rate will be available through February 23, 2026 and is first come, first served. We do not guarantee a reservation within our room block. Please utilize the reservation link below as soon as possible as space is limited: CELA Reservations