You might not think of yourself as a teacher, but your expertise can educate others.
Are you planning to attend the 2016 AIA convention in Philadelphia? Would you like to help your fellow architects by contributing to continuing education? If you’re particularly well-versed in one of several different areas, the convention and the AIA need your help. You could be a presenter, and it all begins with submitting your proposal.
Here’s what you need to know:
Continuing Education for Architects
One constant in the field of architecture is the need for continuing ed credits on a regular basis. It helps keep licensure in effect, and it also fulfills the American Institute of Architects membership requirements. Architects have different ways of acquiring those credits, and attention special conference sessions is an interactive one.
Hundreds of experts attend AIA conferences, many of whom offer their knowledge to other architects in the form of educational sessions and practice groups on certain topics. If you have a solid concept on emerging trends and other inspirational and educational areas, now is the time to put your proposal together.
Philadelphia has a lot to offer convention goers besides the convention itself.
2016 AIA Convention Details
The 2016 American Institute of Architects convention is slated for May 19-21, 2015 in Philadelphia, PA. The Pennsylvania Convention Center, located at 1101 Arch Street in Philadelphia, is the host for this year’s installment. Although the schedule isn’t live as of August 2015, signing up for event updates now means you’ll get the first look as soon as it’s available. If you haven’t yet registered for the convention, you can find the form at this link.
There’s no shortage of hotels in the area, but the convention is a large event. It’s best to reserve your room early to get better rates and availability. Some, but not all, hotels offer different rates for attendees, exhibitors and government guests. The link for room reservations at any of the wide range of lodging choices is here.
How to Submit Your Proposal
The deadline for proposals is coming up fast. August 15 is the drop deadline. The AIA asks that if you are “an articulate subject matter expert with a great concept for an education session” on strategies, emerging trends and innovations, or any other topic that architects would find educational and inspirational, they would love to hear from you.
August 15 at midnight Pacific time is the deadline for initial paperwork, and you can find the login with specific submission information after you create a login here. Once your proposal is submitted, it moves into a decision phase that ends on September 11. By September 21, Phase 2 proposals are due, and the final decisions on those will be made by November 2. If you have questions about the process, the AIA Convention Education Team invites you to send an email.
Conventions are about more than just your personal edification. As part of a dynamic group of professionals, it’s your privilege to share your knowledge and insight with others and help them advance. With a great proposal on emerging trends or other timely topics, you can be among the educators in architecture.
An annual convention lets you network with peers and grow in your career with educational opportunities that count toward continuing education. But year-round, PDH Academy offers online professional development hours courses that the AIA acknowledges and approves. Check out our courses when your next credit hours are due.