Conferences & EventsNational Convention

The 2013 AIA National Convention will be held in Denver from June 20-22. As the chair of the National Convention Advisory Committee, how do you think the keynote speakers reflect the theme, Building Leaders?

Our keynote speakers will explore leadership from disparate perspectives, all of which could be applied to leadership within the built environment.

Blake Mycoskie, Founder and Chief Shoe Giver of TOMS Shoes, will discuss building leadership within a business. Mr. Mycoskie created the One for One program; for each pair of shoes he sells, a pair is donated to a child in need.

Cameron Sinclair, Co-Founder and 'Chief Eternal Optimist' for Architecture for Humanity, will discuss building leadership through design and architecture. Architecture for Humanity is a charitable organization which seeks architectural solutions to humanitarian crises, and brings professional design services to communities in need.

Former Secretary of State, General Colin Powell, an American statesman and a retired four-star general in the United States Army, will discuss building leadership within the military and political arenas.

In this video, President Mickey Jacob, FAIA, says that the convention could “Sharpen our leadership skills and prepare us for success.” What would success look like to a convention attendee?

For the convention to be successful, it must inspire attendees to become better and more effective leaders. When attendees participate in the tours, continuing education sessions, and other convention programming, they will be provided with the tools and perspectives necessary to grow their leadership skills. They will be able to build the confidence necessary to lead their communities and practices.

AIA Colorado will offer tours to highlight what is architecturally unique about Denver. In what other ways will the convention turn the spotlight on Denver as a great convention location?

First, we are striving to make this a sustainable convention and to continue to reduce our carbon footprint. As a result, most convention activities will be within walking distances of the Colorado Convention Center and hotels. We will encourage attendees to use the bike trails or ride public transportation. In this way, they will experience what makes Denver a great city for walkers and bicyclists, and why it has one of the best mass transit programs in the country.

We will also showcase the unique arts community in Denver by partnering with visual and performing arts facilities to offer performances, and where possible, discounted tickets for events.

Many attendees look forward to returning to the “Mile High City” for the new and exciting works of architecture that have been added to Denver over the last decade. Using local members and AIA Colorado staff as surrogate tour guides, members will experientially understand why Denver is a great location for a convention.

The 2013 convention is an excellent way for members and allied professionals to earn continuing education credit. How was the Building Leaders theme incorporated into the selected continuing education courses?

Building Leaders was directly incorporated into the educational programs from the call for presentations to the final selections. Multiple tracks have been developed with the theme of leadership as the common thread.

Be prepared to hear leadership discussed from a variety of vantage points. These perspectives will enrich our understanding of leadership, and, by extension, enrich our profession.

How will the 2013 convention offer opportunities for the emerging professional?

First, in order for emerging professionals to take advantage of the opportunities, they have to attend. We are encouraging employers to invest in their future as well as the profession by allowing their younger employees time to attend and participate.

Once they are in Denver, they can choose the convention programming that interests them, which includes the Emerging Professionals Town Square, networking opportunities, knowledge sharing, learning new technologies and products, career development, and education sessions designed specifically for emerging professionals.

Emerging professionals focus on licensure, professional development, membership, and mentorship, and we are addressing those areas in programming as well. They can attend sessions presented by other emerging professionals focused on the Intern Development Program (IDP), the Architecture Registration Examination (ARE), and licensure.

Educational programs and activities targeted for emerging professionals will be easy to identify in the convention program. Reduced cost of registration, scholarships, and value-priced housing are being provided as well.

Our goal is to build on emerging professionals’ enthusiasm for their profession—a profession with a place for them to thrive—and to show them that the AIA is working to turn around the effects of the last few difficult years.

The design exposition on the trade show floor features hundreds of building product manufacturers. Please take us on a “tour” of the trade show floor—what are the exciting opportunities for attendees?

The Colorado Convention Center exhibit hall is a square space that provides an opportunity to create a very unique layout. The exhibition floor will have major “boulevards” that intersect in four “Town Squares” which are occupied by

• AIA Town Hall

• AIA Colorado

• Hanley Wood, our integrated media and convention partner

• Emerging Professionals

Surrounding the four town squares are hundreds of terrific vendors and manufacturers who will provide valuable information and experiences for everyone.

2013 AIA National
Convention and Design
Exposition
June 20–22, 2013
Denver

Registration is now open!
Register to Attend
Reserve your Hotel
View the Schedule

Member Spotlight

John W. Rogers, AIA, FACHA
Corporate Architect
Design, Construction & Space
Management
Cincinnati Children's Hospital
3333 Burnet Avenue, MLC
8000
Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039

Phone: 513-803-1887
Web: www.cchmc.org

U.S. News & World Report
ranked Cincinnati Children’s
Hospital as one of the nation’s
top three pediatric hospitals.
They are a positive force in the
community, improving public
health for children. And
they’re a partner with patients
and families in pursuit of the
best possible healthcare
outcomes for every child we
treat.