A’23 – First-Timer’s Review
By Janelle Horst, AIA LEED AP BD+C | Architect – MSB Architects
AIAPV Emerging Professional Awards Program (EPAP) Class of 2023
Are you a young professional who is considering whether attending the AIA National Conference is worthwhile? Maybe you have recently learned about its existence or perhaps you have been contemplating attending for a few years but have never taken the plunge. I may be able to assist you in making a decision for the future. This year, I had the opportunity to attend A'23 in San Francisco. As a first-time attendee and an emerging professional, I would like to share my thoughts and insights with anyone who is undecided about attending A'24.
Figure 1 Credit: Emily Lally
Advantages:
- Educational Value: I made sure to attend all keynote speeches and participated in a minimum of three seminars each day. Personally, I found the keynotes to be particularly enriching, especially Dame Jacinda Ardern, who served as the 40th prime minister of New Zealand. Some seminars offered HSW credits, while others touched on topics that personally interested me. Many of the classes I selected focused on leadership and managing a firm, but there was a wide range of topics and interests to choose from. The AIA provided “tracks” to guide the selection process. Some advice: register early for tours and social events. Seminars also filled quickly, but people seemed to come and go so if you couldn’t register for a class go anyways and see if there’s available space.
Figure 2: Screenshot of my event calendar
- Explore and Experience a New City: I was able to attend a variety of informative seminars. However, my schedule did not allow for much time to truly experience the city. In hindsight, I would have considered extending my stay by a day to fully explore. However, I was fortunate to take part in two off-site activities. I visited the American Bookbinders Museum, which was conveniently located nearby, and joined the AIA-organized tour to the Sutra Baths and Cliff House. Additionally, I appreciated the Yerba Buena Gardens which I walked through every day on my way to the conference center.
Figure 3 Clockwise: Sign for American Bookbinders Museum, Yerba Buena Gardens at night, Remains of Sutro Baths, Cliff House
- The Expo Hall: The Expo Hall at the conference center had product representatives from 475 companies. With its extensive size, it required a substantial amount of time to explore everything that was on display. Despite my best efforts, I was unable to fully cover the entire Expo Hall. The area also offered supplementary educational opportunities, relaxation and lounge areas, and a variety of other spaces. If you plan on attending A’24, it is highly recommended to visit the Expo Hall, and it is advisable to wear comfortable footwear as the distance covered can be considerable. I found myself averaging four miles per day just walking between my hotel, the conference center, and the Expo Hall.
Figure 4: A smorgasbord of exhibiting companies.
- Rejuvenation and Re-engagement: After the conference, I left feeling reinvigorated and reconnected with my passion for architecture. It’s easy to get caught up in the everyday monotony and minutia of office life. The opportunity to experience new surroundings and engage in different activities was beneficial for me. Moreover, the chance to interact with like-minded individuals who are either in a similar career stage or have already progressed further was truly inspiring and helped enhance my professional connections.
Disadvantages:
- Cost: When considering the registration fee, tour expenses, opening party, flight, and hotel, the overall expenditure added up to a substantial sum. As a result, I will need to carefully consider and readjust my budget if I wish to continue attending the national conference. If, like me, cost is a concern for you, consider attending conferences that are located in nearby cities, preferably in places where you won't need to arrange flights or accommodations. Next year’s conference will be held in Washington D.C.— far easier to manage for Potomac Valley members.
- Lack of diversity: In one of the seminars I attended, a young woman sitting next to me remarked, "I'm just glad to be in a room with other women instead of old white men." This topic was brought up time and time again during various seminars and keynote speeches. The topics covered expressed the efforts being made by the AIA to bring more diversity to the profession. I’m looking forward to seeing many new, more diverse people from a variety of backgrounds at future conferences.
All things considered, I would like to suggest that if you possess the capability to manage the expenses and have a fondness for the conference's host city, I encourage you to seize the opportunity. Similar to many experiences in life, attending this conference at least once can be a valuable and memorable occasion. Subsequently, you can make an informed decision about whether attending future conferences aligns with your professional goals and interests.
