AIA Leadership Summit 2023

Typically, my business trips to the USA are short and to the point for a few site visits and client meetings.  So, spending three days in the nation’s capital participating in learning and network events with fellow AIA members seemed luxurious.  It was an exciting prospect and a great way to kick off my year as AIA UK’s 2023 Vice President.

From Regan Airport, I took the Metro into Washington DC and decided to get off the train a few stops early simply to walk as I hadn’t been there for such a long time. Arriving at the hotel Tuesday night, I was able to register and attend the initial reception. It was exciting to engage with leadership of chapters from around the USA and globe. While I often spent some time explaining why I didn’t have an English accent, the conversations quickly gravitated towards the struggles and success of chapters and simply getting to know the fellow attendees. 

Wednesday’s primary focus was for those who desired to go to Capitol Hill to engage with their congressional representation and advocate for the needs of their chapter. I joined the planning breakfast and spoke to several delegations before they left but without a congressperson to meet I elected to attend the workshops that were organized throughout the afternoon. 

Given that the primary responsibility of the UK Chapter’s Vice President is the design awards, it seemed obvious that I would attend the workshop focused on ‘Integrating the Framework for Design Excellence in your Chapter & Firm’. The discussion and material was an excellent turbocharge to initiate my planning for the 2023 AIA UK design awards. 

Wednesday evening there was another reception, and the evening was again spent engaging with chapter leader from across the states. We had some really great conversations with insights on management and struggles from very small chapters all the way up to the largest.

Thursday’s schedule was jammed with panel discussions including topics on AIA leadership, topical conversations, chapter operation & management and other workshops. It was a long day spent taking in as much information as possible. I found the session on member engagement, recruitment and retention especially educational. Looking back, my notes reflect both the excellent material being presented but also drift into personal thoughts for the development of  AIA UK.

Friday morning’s networking breakfast spilled directly into sessions on chapter leadership with an especially interesting session on Increasing Component Partnership with the AIA. The conference then closed with a keynote address by Sheila C. Johnson, who spoke about her career and business trajectory from entertainment to hospitality. Hearing her speak certainly allowed the conference to end on a high note!

After the all the sessions closed out and the hotel room was packed up, I made my way back to Dulles for the long overnight back to London. The flight leaving on time for once, meant I was back home in London by early Saturday morning. While the trip certainly had been longer than my usual blasts across the pond, I returned with optimism and excitement for 2023 and how I can best serve the UK chapter. 

Written by Taylor Rogers, AIA