The Young Architect’s Guide to AIAcon16
The 2016 AIA Convention kicks off later this week and thousands of architects and industry professionals will be converging on Philadelphia. Some, typically younger professionals new to the AIA taking advantage of their “first year free” incentive, will be going to their first AIA convention. This will be my third, so I thought I’d create a Young Architect’s Guide to AIAcon16. I’ve done wrap-ups of the past two conventions, which you can find here and here. I also wrote a blog in February about why it’s important to me to go to AIAcon16.
YAF Sessions
First things first, AIAYAF (Young Architects Forum) has worked to submit and help provide 10 fantastic sessions geared towards emerging professionals (and anyone who wants to work towards leadership) throughout AIAcon16. From learning the business side of starting and running a firm to serving the community and progressing with new technologies, these will be 10 great sessions that you won’t want to miss. You can use the hashtags on social media to engage with others as the session is in progress and continue the conversation after the presentation is finished.
Now that we’ve talked through some awesome sessions, let’s talk activities on the Young Architect’s Guide to AIAcon16.
Wednesday
AEC Cares is taking on #ProjectPhiladelphia this year, renovating the Philadelphia Athletic Recreation Center. Hundreds of school children use this space for after-school, community, and sports programs. This will be my third year of showing up a day early to volunteer and I can’t recommend it highly enough. It is #1 on my Young Architect’s Guide to AIAcon16. Do some good – and burn some calories before nights packed with eating and drinking.
Speaking of eating and drinking, the Equity Hackathon Happy Hour is Wednesday night. Grab your ticket and join the group as they celebrate the day’s accomplishments and brainstorm over booze on how to keep moving forward. We eat the whale one bite at a time, but if we eat it together, we progress faster.
Thursday
As the Young Architect’s Guide to AIAcon16 continues into the first official day of convention, the expo floor will open with a flurry of activities. There are bound to be some happy hours and lots of laughs as you meet old and new friends throughout the afternoon to revive your brain from turning to mush from all the information you’re learning in the day’s sessions.
A happy hour of note is the EP Happy Hour from 3-4pm at Booth 2822. And if you haven’t gotten your fill there, the EP party is Thursday night at the Franklin Institute. The previous parties have been a blast, full of energy, laughter, and great food and drink. It’s a can’t miss event.
I’ll be splitting my time between the EP Party and the EntreArchitect meetup, which also starts at 8pm. Mark LePage of EntreArchitect is hosting this year’s gathering at Smith’s and it’s bound to be a great time.
Friday
If you aren’t already worn out, don’t you worry! There’s plenty more on the docket for the Young Architect’s Guide to AIAcon16! Friday will provide more of the same on the expo flor, an important option to consider attending is the Diversity and Inclusion Networking Hour starting at 1 at Booth 2822.
Later that night is the AIA Party! Youll be able to relax, let your hair down, and dance to the Bacon Brothers with other attendees.
Saturday
It’s time to wrap up this Young Architect’s Guide to AIAcon16, and I guarantee by Saturday you’ll be tired. The last of what promises to be 3 great keynotes will happen that afternoon, we’ll say goodbye to friends new and old, and start to digest the crazy fantastic things that happened in the last 4 days. If you’re anything like me, you’ll already be looking forward to the next one!
Last but not least, if you see me on the expo floor – stop me and say hey! I’d love to meet you.
Until then,
