AIA Leadership Summit 2024 in Washington, D.C.

 

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Tuesday, February 27

            The first day of the conference started with the Opening General Session to discuss Hill Day for component members from across the nation.  This program included a panel from AIA national outlining our key legislative focus for 2024.  Our primary focus consists of continued work for the Democracy in Design Act, Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024, and the Fee Limit for Federal Contracts.  We share the voice of over 96,000 design professionals of our organization.  Architects are partners in progress and through events such as the Leadership Summit and Federal, State and Local advocacy, we can thru bipartisan bills, affect change in our communities.  We broke out into sessions with more in-depth discussion for Capitol Hill and to plan our “ask” for Hill Day. 

 

Wednesday, February 28

            The day on Capitol Hill – the second day was filled with action, we took to the hill and each state met with senate and house representatives to discuss the legislative agenda.  Our delegation met with staff from the following offices: Rep. Ron Estes , Rep. Jake LaTurner, Sen. Roger Marshall, Sen. Jerry Moran, Rep. Tracey Mann.  Each meeting was an opportunity to relay the AIA message of maintaining a style-neutral position for government architecture through the Democracy in Design Act and the importance following the lead of the DOD regarding an increase to the cap of fees for federal projects from 6% to 10%.  The events of the day were concluded with a Lobby Day Reception with fellow members of AIA for a chance to debrief with each other, comparing notes about our discussions on Capitol Hill.

 

Thursday, February 29

            This morning’s sessions started with a focus on speeches from candidates running for AIA national positions.  Immediately following, we heard from the current AIA National leadership discussing the importance of our work on the hill and the need to keep showing up for our communities.  Bringing awareness to the issues we see local, state and nationally and the importance of personalizing the talking point of the legislative agenda. 

“The role of a leader is to secure the future,” words from Kimberly N. Dowdell resonated with the audience and carried into breakout sessions.  AIAS representatives provided a panel discussion on the importance of what AIA can offer AIAS. Hearing from students that they want exposure to the career world, the need for transparency and communication between organizations, and opportunities for mentorship and programs that bridge the gap between school and work (Emerging Professionals).

Sessions continued with Mentorship Models for Components, covering different approaches to placing associates with mentors, meet and greet opportunities and peer to peer learning.  The benefits of mentorship seen through 360 mentor models, feedback loops and also using tools like personality tests to match mentor/mentee. Discussions continued well beyond the sessions. 

AIA National is also working with mayors across the country interested in the Chief Architect position. The session discussing this position, the history and the need was packed to capacity. It was very interesting to hear from current Architects holding the position of Chief Architect in their cities.  Accessing existing conditions of city buildings, code analysis, facility management are just a few of the tasks a Chief Architect can help to guide cities into the future.

 

Friday, March 1

               The final day we wrapped up the conference with our final few sessions, discussions with other state components, and our final keynote speaker. I enjoyed meeting all the wonderful members in attendance and I am proud to have participated in my second Leadership Summit on behalf of AIA Kansas.  

 

Lisa Shaffer, AIA, NCIDQ