Registrations are now open for the 2013 National Convention of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). To be held in June in Denver, Colorado, the convention is themed Building Leaders, and brings together three remarkable leaders:
- Blake Mycoskie, founder and chief shoe giver of TOMS
- General Colin L. Powell (Ret.) former US Secretary of State (2001–2005), and now on the board of Bloom Energy
- Cameron Sinclair, co-founder of Architecture For Humanity and author of the book Design Like You Give a Damn.
Blake Mycoskie is commended by US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton.
Blake Mycoskie, founder and chief shoe giver of TOMS.
Colin Powell, former US Secretary of State, now on the board of Bloom Energy.
Cameron Sinclair, co-founder of Architecture For Humanity.
Blake Mycoskie’s talk – Conscious Capitalism and the Future of Business – will address his belief in the importance of encouraging young people to include giving in everything they do. Almost to a person, architects are passionate about helping improve the world and are educated to apply “design thinking” to the challenges facing clients and communities. Like Mycoskie, architects often “give away their product” to those most in need, through pro-bono services in their communities and around the world.
Colin Powell’s talk – Taking Charge – will share insights from his life as a leader in many arenas, from community and business, to global affairs, and his roles in serving, nurturing, and understanding the different perspectives that can help or hinder our effectiveness in the world.
Architect Cameron Sinclair’s talk – Design Like You Give a Damn – will look at how he launched the world’s first open-source community dedicated to improving living conditions through innovative and sustainable design. His collaborative leadership highlights actions that architects can take in their own communities should disaster strike or a specific need resist traditional approaches to finding solutions.
AIA president-elect Mickey Jacob says: “Architects are more likely leading teams of talented professionals than working in the isolated, stereotypical way we see them in popular culture. The ‘Building Leaders’ convention theme is focused on better preparing architects to contribute creative solutions with lasting positive impact on the health and wellbeing of society. General Powell, Blake Mycoskie, and Cameron Sinclair will inspire us through their insights and experiences to bring more to our roles in business, architecture, and civic life.”
Representing the Australian Institute of Architects at the convention will be president-elect Paul Berkemeier and CEO David Parken.
In addition to the keynote presentations, the AIA National Convention will offer hundreds of education sessions and tours of Denver architecture that is relevant to the way architects practice today. Nearly eight hundred companies will showcase new tools, materials and services that architects can use in all phases of building projects, from concepts to commissioning.
AIA National Convention
June 20–22, 2013
Denver, Colorado, USA
More information at AIA Convention.
