AIAS Grassroots Leadership Conference
RE-
—
July 28 – July 30, 2022
The AIAS has been through some wild times in its 65 years, but none have been quite as… strange? tumultuous? weird…? as the past two years. It’s time for us to come together to reimagine the AIAS, and in that spirit, Grassroots 2022 will be so much more than a typical conference – it will be a REUNION. Just like at any good family reunion, we will reflect on our past, and use that past to inform our actions for a better future…or just swap stories and hang out by the grill.
Join us in Washington, D.C. or on the web this summer to help us set the tone for the coming year. Take part in a weekend of chapter and personal leadership training, community building, and innovative content. Learn from community leaders, advocates, architects, and other professionals – as well as our very own talented members and AIAS Board of Directors! We have a lot to learn, and we are so excited to hear your ideas. The AIAS has a big year ahead, and we can’t wait to get started! See you at GR 22!

Schedule
Check back soon for more details and session descriptions! All times in Eastern Daylight Time.
Start Time | End Time | Programming |
---|---|---|
10:00am | 4:00pm | Hotel Check In |
5:00pm | 7:00pm |
Opening Night General SessionSwearing in New Board Ceremony |
7:00pm | 9:00pm | Informal Quad/Region Dinners + Alumni Reception |
Start Time | End Time | Programming |
---|---|---|
9:30am | 11:30am | DC Area and Architecture Tour A |
9:30am | 11:30am | DC Area and Architecture Tour B |
9:30am | 11:30am | DC Area and Architecture Tour C |
9:30am | 11:30am | DC Area and Architecture Tour D |
9:30am | 11:30am | Architecture’s Role in Ending Homelessness Workshop |
11:30am | 1:30pm | Break |
1:30pm | 2:30pm | Building Tour |
1:30pm | 2:30pm | Firm Tour A |
1:30pm | 2:30pm | Firm Tour B |
1:30pm | 2:30pm | Firm Tour C |
2:45pm | 4:00pm | Sketching/ Watercolor Tour A |
2:45pm | 4:00pm | Sketching/ Watercolor Tour B |
2:45pm | 4:00pm | Sketching/ Watercolor Tour C |
2:45pm | 4:00pm | How to Advocate as Architects Session |
4:15pm | 5:00pm | Career Expo |
5:00pm | 8:00pm |
Block Party at the AIA BuildingFood, Music, and More! |
8:00pm | 10:00pm | Nighttime Monument Tour with Past President Scott Cornelius |
Start Time | End Time | Programming |
---|---|---|
9:30am | 10:30am | What’s Next?: Transitioning to a Design Professional Focused on life after graduation, this workshop will cover the following topics : · Where to go from here · How to find your voice · How expectations evolve from school to work · How to transition skills to the professional environment · What was not taught in school that’s useful at work |
9:30am | 10:30am | Workshop: K-12 Engagement |
9:30am | 10:30am | Workshop |
9:30am | 12:00pm | Student Licensing Advisors: Recruitment and Education Training |
11:00am | 12:00pm | Freedom by Design Training |
11:00am | 12:00pm | Training Workshop A |
11:00am | 12:00pm | Training Workshop B |
11:00am | 12:00pm | What they don’t teach you about Architecture in the School of Design In this workshop we will discuss the process of design and how different players from outside of the design professions play key roles to the success of your projects. We will journey from the earliest contact with your clients, to vital interactions with building product manufacturers, to the choreography of the bidding process. Join us for a real-world discussion that will help you prepare for the profession. |
1:00pm | 3:30pm |
Closing General SessionOfficer Keynotes |
3:30pm | 5:00pm | Break + Chapter Time |
5:00pm | 7:00pm | Quad Breakouts & Receptions |
Thursday, July 28 | Friday, July 29 | Saturday, July 30
Keynotes



Registration
EARLY BIRD (DEADLINE MAY 15TH, 11:59 PM ET)
Early Bird Member (Individual): $150
Early Bird Non-Member (Individual): $200
REGULAR (DEADLINE JULY 8TH, 11:59 PM ET)
Regular Member (Individual): $200
Regular Non-Member (Individual): $250
*Proof of vaccination OR a negative COVID test will be required before attending the Grassroots in person. President Cornelius will provide all registrants with a link to upload proof of vaccination a few weeks before Grassroots, if you are not vaccinated you will need to provide proof of a negative COVID test taken less than 72 hours before the conference. This proof will need to be provided BEFORE conference check-in.*
REGISTER FOR GRASSROOTS TODAY!
The AIAS hopes everyone who registers for Grassroots will be able to attend; however, we know extenuating circumstances do occur. The AIAS Cancellation and Refund Policies for Grassroots 2022 are as follows:
Conference Refund and Cancellation Policy
The AIAS Conference Cancellation and Refund Policy will be as follows to assure consistency and is applicable to the 2022 Grassroots Leadership Conference.
- The final date to request a full refund for conference registration is Friday, July 8th, 2022.
- Registrants canceling their registration after July 8th, 2022 will not receive a refund. The refund and cancellation policy will not be waived.
- In the event the AIAS must cancel the conference due to unforeseen circumstances, the AIAS will refund the cost of registration.
Unforeseen Circumstances Defined for Refund and Cancellation Policies:
Unforeseen circumstances is used to describe an event that is unexpected and prevents the AIAS from continuing with the conference. Examples of such circumstances can include, but are not limited to, inclement weather or other natural disasters, site unavailability, and public safety and health hazards.
Please fill out this form to request a refund for your registration fee.
Hotel
Short-Term Rental Options
Grassroots will be a decentralized conference that will take place throughout Downtown DC. With this in mind, we suggest you book through services such as Airbnb and Vrbo and prioritize proximity to Metro stops along the Red Line.
Hotel Option
We have a limited number of rooms reserved at Hilton Garden Inn Washington DC Downtown for July 28, 2022 through July 31, 2022. Booking is simple: just select “Book a Room”. We’re looking forward to seeing you in July!
*PLEASE NOTE – NO AIAS GRASSROOTS PROGRAMMING WILL BE HELD AT THE HILTON GARDEN INN*
Virtual Leadership Day (July 16)
In order to make the Leadership Training for AIAS Chapter Leaders that typically takes place during the Grassroots Conference more accessible, the AIAS will be offering this full day of leadership training for FREE for all members that are interested in participating and advancing their leadership within their chapter and the organization at large. While leadership training is not mandatory for Chapter Leaders to serve in their roles, it is highly encouraged that they attend in order to be best prepared to run their chapters through the academic year.
Covering topics including Governance, Finance, Membership Engagement, and Advocacy the leadership sessions will be hosted by the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 Quad Directors. The Freedom by Design Advisory Committee will also be hosting the annual Freedom by Design Training for current and incoming FBD Directors, and any other members interested in bringing Freedom by Design to their chapters.
When: July 16, 2022 11a-6p Eastern Time
Where: Held Virtually
Registration Fees: FREE (separate registration from Grassroots is needed to attend Leadership Day)
REGISTER FOR LEADERSHIP DAY FOR FREE!
*This is NOT registration for the in person Grassroots conference. If you have already registered for Grassroots, please register here as well to be included in all communications about the virtual Leadership Day.*

Blog Posts
Partners
Thank you to all of our partners who make Grassroots possible! Become an AIAS Grassroots Leadership Conference sponsor here!