Nearly 15,000 Architects, vendors and other industry professionals converged on Washington, D.C., June 5-8, 2024, for the AIA Conference on Architecture and Design. In what AIA and its members consider the premier event of the year, AIA packed over 485 seminars, workshops and training sessions into four full days of networking, learning and touring. Conference attendance was the highest it has been since COVID forced cancellation in 2020. The excitement and energy over the four-day conference is indicative of the importance and vitality of the architecture profession in this day and time.
Sustainability continues to be a major focus of the design and construction industry and AIA 2024 multiple sessions and seminars investigating eco-friendly, and energy efficient materials and methods for the practitioner. In addition, the conference offered continuing education and introduction to the latest advancements in technology, resilience and adaptation, and digital collaboration.
In addition to the seminars and workshops, this conference included the expo where approximately 550 companies display their newest products, materials and systems that we as architects use to enhance our designs and businesses. For Wyoming architects, it was a chance to visit face to face with representatives of many of the products and systems that we specify, and learn what is emerging in the design and construction world.
In addition to the networking and training opportunities, the AIA Conference on Architecture and Design is also the time when the annual business meeting for the organization is held. Each chapter, including AIA Wyoming, sends delegates to participate and vote in the annual meeting. In addition to addressing proposed resolutions and bylaw changes, the meeting is also the time where new board of director members for AIA are elected. This year, President Dale Buckingham, AIA, and Wyoming’s Strategic Counselor Dan Stalker, AIA, represented AIA Wyoming at the meeting.
The business meeting itself was lively and, at times, a bit contentious as there were several emotionally charged items on the agenda. The results of the resolutions are as follows:
- Motion to accept Resolution 1 with amendments: AIA Health & Well-being Policy.
- Motion to accept Resolution 2: Inclusion of Additional Underrepresented Groups within the AIA Strategic Plan 2021-2025’s Equity Statement.
- Motion to accept Resolution 3 with amendments: Governing Body Amendment.
- Motion to reject Resolution 4: Providing Virtual Attendance Options for AIA Annual Conference and Women’s Leadership Summit.
Additional information pertaining to each resolution can be found at AIA’s website (www.AIA.org).
The following board members were elected and their terms began on Dec. 13, 2024:
- Illya Azaroff, FAIA, as 2025 President-Elect/2026 President.
- Joshua Flowers, FAIA, as 2025-26 Secretary.
- Matthew Toddy, AIA, as 2025-27 At-Large Director.
The other aspect of the business meeting included a focus on the economic health of AIA and how the business side of the organization is being handled. The national organization is working to compensate for reduced income this last year. According to the board of directors and executive director, reduced operating budget as well as attempts to increase membership are priorities.
For those who have never attended the Conference on Architecture and Design, you should consider putting the 2025 conference on your calendar. The event will be held June 4-7 in Boston. Your time there will be well spent and a boost to your day-to-day work and career!
