Speak Up is the AIA’s new annual advocacy leadership event. Debuting in July 2016, Speak Up will be three exciting, dynamic and inspiring days where architects will get new tools and strategies to advocate for their profession and their communities.

Speak Up will feature advocacy training and interactive discussions on how architects can better engage in the legislative and political arenas at the federal, state and local levels. It will bring together AIA members from across the Institute to share winning strategies, learn from political professionals and find new ways to mobilize members to advocate in their communities. And it will offer attendees the option of using their skills to advocate for the AIA’s agenda on Capitol Hill.

Speak Up Will:

• Connect and grow the number of AIA members engaged in advocacy.
• Build the capacity of AIA members, committees and chapters to advocate for the profession.
• Advance AIA's federal agenda with more effective Capitol Hill visits and agency meetings focused on building long-term relationships.

Who Should Attend
Speak Up is open to any AIA member, especially those who believe they can make a difference in the world through engaging in the electoral and legislative process at the national state or local levels. If you are an architect or emerging professional looking to advance the profession while realizing your own potential to lead and change, Speak Up is the event for you.

What Attendees Will Learn
Speak Up’s training sessions will give attendees the chance to hone and expand their advocacy skills. The training sessions will cover skills needed to become advocacy leaders, including:

• Government and Politics 101
• How to Craft and Communicate a Winning Message
• Effective Presentation Skills
• Talking to the Media
• Becoming a Community Leader
• Building and Motivating Volunteers
• Building Relationships with Legislators

At the end of the event, you will take home:

• A network of architecture colleagues from across the country that share your passion, with whom you can share ideas advice and advocacy plans.
• A Personal Action Plan including organizational and professional advocacy goals you will write that will guide your path to being an advocacy leader.
• A deeper understanding of the importance of architects engaging in the political and legislative process, and the ability to share that understanding with others.
• More confidence in your ability to engage with community leaders, legislators, government officials and volunteers.

Registration Information
Speak Up will take place at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The Hyatt Regency is only steps from Capitol Hill, making it easy for attendees who choose to visit their Congressional representatives. The room rate at the Hyatt will be $199. Registration will open in mid-March.

Speak Up is open to any member of the AIA. The 2016 registration fee will be $395.

For More Information Visit: http://www.aia.org/advocacy/AIAB107960

Save the Date for AIA Convention 2016
AIA Convention is one of the largest and most exciting annual gatherings of architects and design professionals in the U.S. The people, the ideas, the environment, the setting—it all comes together for an unforgettable experience that comes just once a year.

That’s the big picture. Now let’s break it down.

The LUs: Take behind-the-scenes tours of sites that turn innovation into practice or immerse yourself in a half- or full-day workshop. There are hundreds of opportunities to earn continuing education on trending topics.

The innovations: Get the first look at new materials and technology from hundreds of exhibitors. Arrive early for an in-depth, hands-on preconvention workshop and pack your schedule with career-changing seminars. And get ahead, practically speaking: Register early to get the sessions you want. Book your hotel early and get the best choice at a discount. Preregister and get to seminars 15 minutes early and you’re guaranteed a seat.

The people: Visionaries, grassroots champions, change agents, and rising stars take center stage, giving dynamic presentations, offering insightful education, and answering your questions. And you can earn education credit for all of it—including your talks with exhibitors.

The places:You take space seriously—and so do we. We also like to have some fun with it. That’s why we’re turning the Pennsylvania Convention Center Expo floor into a temporary built environment with dynamic visuals, theaters, and lounges. Check out Philly outside of convention doors, with insider tours and Design + Dining events that turn city highlights into a moveable feast. Plus, Philly offers plenty of downtime fun—sports strongholds, charming history, spectacular architecture, and an amazing food scene.

The interactions: Students and award winners, preservationists and data engineers, experts on disaster, and art-world stars—it’s a potent setting where you can shake up the status quo, start a career change, and discover new collaborators.

For More Information Visit: http://convention.aia.org/Attendee/Home

For more information visit: AIA National

Grassroots 2016 is the premier annual gathering for leaders of the American Institute of Architects. It is an essential Professional Development resource for those who want to become better civic and chapter leaders.

Share your vision and voice and make a difference in Detroit, where a new revitalization movement has swept the city.

Grassroots 2016 takes place at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center, beginning officially on Wednesday, February 24 and ending on Thursday, February 25 by 3:00 p.m. If you arrive early, please join us for a Welcome Reception on Tuesday from 5:00–7:00 p.m. in the hotel.

This year’s event will be a one-of-a kind experience for YOU. Participants will come away with:

• Creative ideas and thoughts on how to meet some of the challenging economic, social and cultural issues facing cities.
• Knowledge, resources and tools that you can implement in your component, firm and local government.
• Essential leadership skills that can help you in your leadership position.
• Contacts and lasting friends who you can continue to share and exchange information and best practices.
• An understanding of your role in transforming the organization into one that is valued by the public through networking, peer to peer dialogue and programs.
• Inspiration and motivation that will empower you to move forward.