AIAS Grassroots Leadership Conference
UN | REST
—
July 20 – July 23, 2023
rest – focus on mental health, positive culture, taking care of each other, architecture that heals
unrest – advocacy, change, disruption, justice, dedication
Rest and unrest demonstrates a dichotomy that exists within architectural education and celebrates the balance that we all aim to find. Celebrating rest means celebrating mental health, positive culture, taking care of each other, and architecture that heals. Celebrating unrest means celebrating the advocacy, change, disruption, justice, and dedication needed to push our profession forward.
The dynamic between rest and unrest is not only about health and advocacy; it is also a celebration of passion. Architecture students are relentless in their pursuits of design, leadership, and service, and we want to encourage them to pursue every passion with both rest and unrest.
The theme intends to celebrate advocacy and change, but we want to be clear that the AIAS does not support violence of any kind. Our organization has a legacy of championing progress, and AIAS supports all forms of peaceful protest. The theme of Grassroots celebrates advocacy and change, and we intend to continue this work throughout the coming year.
As famed civil rights leader and former Congressman John Lewis once said, “nothing can stop the power of a committed and determined people to make a difference in our society.”
What is Grassroots?
Grassroots is our annual leadership conference that focuses on developing our members and their future. This is a conference for you to network, enhance your career, and gear up for the next year at your chapter with the AIAS. You’ll be experiencing the city which is home to the AIAS National Office, and can explore the complicated layers here that you can apply to any city.
Registration
EARLY BIRD (DEADLINE May 31ST, 11:59 PM ET)
Early Bird Member (Individual): $190
Early Bird Non-Member (Individual): $240
REGULAR (DEADLINE JULY 1ST, 11:59 PM ET)
Regular Member (Individual): $240
Regular Non-Member (Individual): $290
REGISTER FOR GRASSROOTS TODAY!
Hotel
The Embassy Suites-Washington DC Convention Center is the official Grassroots hotel. Registration will be located here, as will sessions, the Career Expo, and Friday night’s social event.
AIAS has negotiated a special Grassroots rate of $249/night. Each room is a suite, with two beds and a pull-out couch, so each room can accommodate 5-6 people (please note only 4 names can be added to the reservation). And to sweeten the deal, the Embassy Suites is known for providing free, made-to-order breakfast for all its guests. So you can spend less money on your hotel stay and get free breakfast to boot!
To take advantage of this special rate, register here. A limited number of rooms are available, so make your reservations early; at the latest, by Monday, June 26, 2023!!
Embassy Suites-Washington DC Convention Center
900 10th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Schedule
All times in Eastern.
Thursday, July 20thFriday, July 21stSaturday, July 22nd
Time |
Programming |
Details |
Location |
10 a.m.-4:00 p.m. |
Hotel Check-in / Registration Open |
Check into the Embassy Suites, your preferred hotel, or AirBnB, and then be sure to pick up your conference badge, bag, and other materials! |
Embassy Suites Hotel |
4:30-7:00 p.m. |
Opening Keynote Session |
New Board Swearing-In Ceremony. Keynote Speaker TBA |
National Housing Center |
7:00-9:30 p.m. |
Informal Quad/Region Dinners |
While not an official event, traditionally, Quads and Regions will all grab food together and get to know one another. Check in with your Quad Director or Regional Director and see where people are heading! |
Various locations |
7:00-9:30 p.m. |
Alumni Reception |
AIAS Alumni and Legacy members, as well as recent graduates and emerging professionals are invited to an informal reception full of opportunities to network and reminisce! |
Embassy Suites Hotel |
9:30-11:30 p.m. |
Nighttime Monuments Tour |
Join Immediate Past President Cooper Moore and Immediate Past VP Nicole Bass on a nighttime tour of some of DC’s most iconic sites. |
Meeting point TBA |
Time |
Programming |
Details |
Location |
7:00-9:30 a.m. |
Breakfast |
If you’re staying at the Embassy Suites, made-to-order breakfast is free! Get a good start on the day. |
Embassy Suites Hotel |
8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. |
Registration Open |
|
Embassy Suites Hotel |
9:30-11:30 a.m. |
Tours |
Locations/Content TBA |
Various locations |
9:30-11:30 a.m. |
Workshop |
Content TBA |
Embassy Suites Hotel |
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. |
Lunch |
Lunch on your own: enjoy exploring all DC has to offer! |
Various locations |
1:30-2:30 p.m. |
Firm Tours |
Locations TBA |
Various locations |
2:45-4:00 p.m. |
Sketch Tours |
Locations/Content TBA |
Various locations |
2:45-4:15 p.m. |
Advocacy Workshop |
Join the AIA Advocacy team to learn about best practices and methods for advocating as architects and design professionals. This workshop will cover the ins and outs of lobbying, effectively engaging with policymakers, key issues facing architects today, and more. |
Embassy Suites Hotel |
4:15-7:30 p.m. |
Career Expo |
Come mingle with firms, partners, associations, and universities in a casual, low-stress environment. Whether you’re interested in talking about career opportunities, exploring graduate school, or just gathering information, the Career Expo is the place! |
Embassy Suites Hotel |
6:30-7:30 p.m. |
Leadership Q&A |
If you’ve been thinking about running for a position on the national AIAS Board of Directors and wondering what it would entail, attend this informal Q&A session. Hear from current AIAS Board members about their experiences. |
Embassy Suites Hotel |
8:30 p.m.-12:00 a.m. |
Evening Social Event |
Enjoy a fun evening event with your fellow Grassroots attendees, partaking in some delicious food and great music. Join in the celebration of this year’s Honor Award recipients as well. |
Embassy Suites Hotel |
Time |
Programming |
Details |
Location |
7:30-8:45 a.m. |
Breakfast |
If you’re staying at the Embassy Suites, made-to-order breakfast is free! Get a good start on the day. |
Embassy Suites Hotel |
9:30-10:30 a.m. |
Workshops |
Content TBA |
National Press Club |
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. |
Workshops |
Content TBA |
National Press Club |
1:30-4:00 p.m. |
Closing Keynote Session |
Keynote Speaker TBA |
National Press Club |
4:00-5:30 p.m. |
Break + Chapter Time |
|
Various locations |
5:30-7:30 p.m. |
Quad/Regional Receptions |
The quad/regional receptions give you a chance to mingle with the members of your quad or international region! This is a chance for you to get to know your new quad or regional directors as well. End the conference with your AIAS regional family, and make those close connections that AIAS is all about. Hosting firms TBA |
Various locations |