It is August. Families are returning from vacation or tucking it in before the children return to school. Offices are celebrating those who participated in an internship and now heading back to their respective universities.
For AIA Virginia, we just concluded our biennial Art of Practice. Held on August 4th, we brought together over 70 architects to sharpen their business skills with a focus on What’s Next in the industry. We welcomed the 2020 AIA Edward C. Kemper Award winner and Shepley Bulfinch CEO, Carole Wedge, FAIA as our opening keynote.
Wedge’s story is quite amazing. Starting in the mailroom at Shepley Bulfinch, she worked her way to the top executive position. During the presentation, Wedge shared the importance of noticing how you lead in the profession: from within, from in front, beside others, behind others, and in the field.
It is my hope that you see AIA Virginia as leading beside you. Leaning in 100% into the various aspects of your professional journey.
While you are elevating the voice of architects and architecture in your respective communities, we provide you the requisite tools to facilitate those efforts. In September, you can find AIA Virginia in Norfolk hosting a “Blueprint for Better Community Dinner” that will allow local architects to forge important relationships with their local leaders. As I bring this to a close, please mark your calendars for our annual conference, Architecture Exchange East. It will be held Nov. 1-5 with the last day consisting of in-person programming at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
We exist to make you better. Get engaged. Come see what we are doing. I promise that you will not be disappointed.
In service,
R. Corey Clayborne, FAIA, NOMA, MBA, CAE
Executive Vice President