Speaking and podcasts
Practical rural planning — on any stage.
John C. Shepard, AICP brings more than 30 years of field experience to keynotes, conference sessions, panels, and podcast conversations. Grounded, practical, and directly relevant to the communities your audience serves.
Invite John to speak →Why John
Not a theorist. A practitioner.
John C. Shepard has spent more than three decades working with rural communities, local governments, and planning agencies across eight states. He doesn’t talk about rural America from a distance — he has been in the county commission chambers, the planning board meetings, and the community conversations where decisions actually get made.
His presentations draw on real projects, real data, and real communities. Whether he’s talking about comprehensive planning, economic development, hazard mitigation, renewable energy, or the role of arts and culture in rural vitality, his insights are grounded in what actually works — and what doesn’t.
John is AICP certified, a member of the American Planning Association and the International Economic Development Council, and currently serves as Vice-Chair of Communications for the APA’s Small Town & Rural Planning Division.
At a glance
Signature topics
What John speaks about.
Each topic draws on decades of field experience and can be adapted for keynotes, breakout sessions, panels, or podcast conversations.
Plans that actually get used.
Why most comprehensive plans collect dust — and what communities can do differently. Risk assessment, implementation strategy, and the practical frameworks that turn long-range vision into day-to-day decisions.
Stop chasing smokestacks. Grow what you have.
Rural economic development strategy grounded in data, entrepreneurship, and local assets. Why economic gardening outperforms recruitment for most small communities — and how to make the case to local leaders.
Heritage tourism and rural economic vitality.
How preservation, place identity, and arts and culture strategy can drive rural economic development. Presented at the Western Planner Conference and Nebraska Planning Conference.
Renewable energy: wind, solar, and what comes next.
Wind, solar, battery storage, and data centers — and the land use, governance, and economic development questions rural communities need to answer before they say yes.
Rural-ready engagement: practical tools for small town planners.
How to run effective public participation processes in rural communities — where resources are limited, trust is personal, and the usual playbook doesn’t always work.
Something else on your mind?
John’s experience spans nine domains of rural planning and development. If you have a specific topic, theme, or community challenge in mind, reach out — chances are he’s worked on it.
Recent appearances
Where John has spoken.
A track record of engaging, practical presentations for planners, economic developers, and community leaders across the country.
Selected past appearances
A track record that goes back more than a decade — from APA national stages to regional planning conferences.
Logistics
What to expect when you book John.
John keeps the process straightforward. Here’s what you need to know.
Formats
Keynotes, breakout sessions, panels, roundtables, webinars, and podcast appearances. In-person or virtual.
Travel
Available nationally. Based in the Midwest. Travel and accommodation expenses to be covered by the host organization.
Preparation
John tailors every presentation to the audience and context. A brief call ahead of the event is standard practice.
Fees
Speaking fees vary by format, travel, and context. Reach out to discuss — John is open to the right opportunities.
Book John
Ready to bring rural planning expertise to your event?
Whether it’s a conference keynote, a panel session, a webinar, or a podcast conversation — John is open to selected speaking opportunities focused on rural planning, economic development, and community resilience.
Get in touch →