Live engagement is more important than ever.
ArchEx sponsors will have the opportunity to connect with Virginia architects through personal engagement during the Nov. 1-2, 2023 event. Our refreshing, new approach provides opportunities to problem-solve side-by-side with architects, immersing your sales team in ongoing facilitated workshop discussions, breakout sessions, tours, group dining, social gatherings, and celebrations.
This will NOT be a traditional stand-behind-a-table event, this is a chance to truly engage!
Experience lots of NEW and lots of COOL at Architecture Exchange East!
How amazing it will be to return to our annual gathering of friends and colleagues in November as we assemble for Architecture Exchange East 2022! For the post-pandemic ArchEx, we are retaining the best bits from the past, refining other bits, and adding new bits to create (and curate) a lighter and brighter ArchEx as we explore the conference theme of “(re)Building Community.”
“Always design a thing by considering it in its next larger context – a chair in a room, a room in a house, a house in an environment, an environment in a city plan.”
~ Eliel Saarinen
As I contemplated possible topics for this month’s newsletter article, I decided that concentrating on our largest gathering of architects was well worthy of the space and attention. Mr. Saarinen’s quotation seems the perfect representation of our intentional ‘redesign’ of Architecture Exchange East. We are doing more than reinvigorating this significant member event; we are enlivening it in a way that will have our members and stakeholders departing genuinely uplifted, with their batteries fully recharged.
Energizing all aspects of the conference aligns with our desire to make it more aspirational and inspirational for everyone through enhancements to the exhibit hall, educational programming, marketing and promotions, hospitality, social events, and other major components. Foremost in our minds, in each and every way, is elevating your experience as an attendee.
Arriving in your inbox this week was your invitation that explains all of the opportunities for networking collegially, growing professionally, and rebuilding societally. We hope this stimulates your interest in participating in a wholly redesigned user experience – one that promises to be awesome for attendees, vendors, exhibitors, sponsors, and speakers alike.
Join in the newness … join in the coolness … November 2-4 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. I cannot wait to see you there for “(re)Building Community!”
Helene Combs Dreiling, FAIA
Interim Executive Vice President
2022 Architecture Exchange East Sponsorship Opportunities
Live engagement is more important than ever.
ArchEx sponsors will have the opportunity to connect with Virginia architects through personal engagement during the 3-day event. Our refreshing, new approach provides opportunities to problem solve side-by-side with architects, immersing your sales team in ongoing facilitated workshop discussions, breakout sessions, tours, group dining, social gatherings, and multiple celebrations.
This will NOT be a traditional stand-behind-a-table event, this is a chance to truly engage!
Architecture Exchange East Sponsorships
Registration for Foresight 2020 Now Open
Registration for Foresight 2020 is now open.
This virtual event is designed for architects, designers, and industry professionals seeking inspiration and insight. It takes place online Oct. 1–Nov. 7, 2020, and features the following AIA Virginia signature programming:
Design Forum: In Praise of Shadows
featuring Steven Holl, Kirsten Murray, Herve Descottes, David Lewis, and Kendall Buster
Architecture Exchange East
featuring Ed Mazria, Andrea Love, Joel Sanders, Kermit Baker, and many more
YAFCON 2020: The Empathic Architect
featuring a program curated by Virginia’s emerging professionals
Visions for Architecture
featuring a celebration of AIA Virginia’s Honors Awards and a live announcement of our Design Award winners.
Plus, other social events like firm roundtable discussions, facilitated lunch conversations, happy hours, and more. All tickets include access to our virtual exhibit hall.
As we’ve all seen recently — change is inevitable. Be prepared to design the future, instead of catching up to it.
Registration for Foresight 2020 open to all.
Tickets
There are a variety of ways to participate in the program – depending on your interest. Pick one element of the program or join us for everything. Pricing is below.
Visions for Architecture
Visions is free, but registration is required.
Foresight 2020 All Access Pass
This VIP ticket includes everything on the agenda.
- AIA Member: $140
- Assoc. AIA Member: $120
- Non-member: $200
- Student: $15
Architecture Exchange East
Includes all daily programming on Nov. 4 and Nov. 6 and admission to YAFCON (plus a few extras!)
- AIA Member: $70
- Assoc. AIA Member: $60
- Non-member: $100
- Student: $10
Design Forum: In Praise of Shadows
Includes all programming on Thursday, Nov. 5, plus a virtual tour of the ICA on Oct. 29
- AIA Member: $70
- Assoc. AIA Member: $60
- Non-member: $100
- Student: $10
YAFCON: The Empathic Architect
Includes daily programming Oct. 26-30. YAFCON is included free with your ArchEx admission, so there’s no need to register for it separately if you’re going to ArchEx. Use this ticket option if you’re only interested in attending YAFCON.
- AIA Member: $50
- Assoc. AIA Member: $30
- Non-member: $100
- Student: $10
Embracing Change: Signature Events Go Digital
AIA Virginia is pleased to announce that our signature programs for 2020 will be delivered virtually under the umbrella of Foresight 2020. You’ll get to experience Visions for Architecture, Design Forum: In Praise of Shadows, and Architecture Exchange East in exciting new ways.
While we’ll miss getting together in person, keeping you safe and healthy is more important. And, because that face-to-face interaction is so critical, we’ve invested in a virtual event platform that encourages connections and interactions.
What stays the same?
High-quality speakers and content. Our planning committees are committed to delivering the very best speakers and most compelling discussions. They’ve already confirmed an incredible set of speakers for the Design Forum and the lineup at ArchEx is going to be just as impressive.
Exhibit Hall. We’ll still feature the latest products, services, and solutions from the industry’s best building product manufacturers in our virtual Exhibit Hall.
Networking and relationship building. We’ve built plenty of time into the schedule to engage with your colleagues.
What’s different?
No travel cost. You can login to the event wherever you happen to be on the day of the program.
Schedule. We’ve spread the programming out over a month.
Location. We’re planning to host everything in one virtual “spot.” After you register, you’ll download an app that will serve as our event lobby and hangout. It will work on any of your devices — your desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone.
Registration fees. It will cost less than ever before to attend. You can get a ticket to just one event, like the Design Forum or ArchEx, or get an all access pass to all of the Foresight 2020 programs.
And, Visions for Architecture will be free for everyone. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!
Registration for Foresight 2020 opens in August.
Foresight 2020: ArchEx, Design Forum & Visions
AIA Virginia is pleased to announce that our signature programs for 2020 will be delivered virtually under the umbrella of Foresight 2020.
You’ll get to experience Visions for Architecture, Design Forum: In Praise of Shadows, and Architecture Exchange East in exciting new ways.
Registration opens in August.
ArchEx 2019: In Review
For 3 days in November, the profession came together at Architecture Exchange East 2019 for a dynamic exploration of culture and design. Here are a few highlights from the program.
Pascale Sablan, AIA, wondered who else was asked to stand in a powerful keynote address. Photo by Jay Paul. 
Dwayne Oyler shared his firm’s approach to staying creative. Photo by Jay Paul. 
AIA Virginia EVP Corey Clayborne, AIA; Keynote Speaker Dwayne Oyler; Keynote Speaker Pascale Sablan, AIA; AIA Virginia President Rob Reis, AIA; and Keynote Speaker Patricia Gruits. Photo by Jay Paul. 
The SAY IT LOUD VIRGINIA exhibition highlights women and minority designers. Photo by Jay Paul. 
ArchEx 19 featured some incredible tours. Photos courtesy of 903 Creative. 
AIA Hampton Roads took home the second annual PAC trophy which was presented by Delegate Lamont Bagby who serves as the Chair of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus. Photo by Jay Paul. 
Old friends and new caught up over lunch in the ArchEx Exhibit Hall. Photo by Jay Paul. 
Attendees earned up to 18 AIA CES learning units. Photo by Jay Paul. 
There were some great questions from the audience and a lively debate during the General Session. Photo by Jay Paul. 
We partnered with Merit to track attendance at ArchEx. Photo by Jay Paul. 
Our Lounge Zone was a great place to unwind and chat. Photo by Jay Paul. 
Keynote Speaker Patricia Gruits and Will Scribner, FAIA. Photo by Jay Paul. 
Pascale Sablan and several ArchEx attendees enjoy a break following the keynote address. Photo by Jay Paul. 
There was a full schedule of programs and events. Photo courtesy of 903 Creative. 
The interactive conference program encouraged attendees to document and share their experience. Photo courtesy of 903 Creative.
Some of the speakers have given us permission to share handouts and presentations. Check them out.
Architecture Exchange East 2020
Each November, the profession in Virginia comes together for an exploration and celebration of architecture and design.
yafCON 2019 Announces Speakers
yafCON is pleased to announce the panelists for the 2019 micro-conference at Architecture Exchange East. This year’s theme is The Architect of the New Era: critical issues of the 21st century designer. The program is free with your ArchEx registration or you can simply register to attend the [yaf]CON micro-conference on Friday, Nov. 8 from 1:30-5 p.m.
The panel features four distinguished emerging professionals with experience within at least one these focus areas: socially-sensitive design, emerging technologies and data in design, sustainability and environmentally-conscious design, and equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Sydney Covey
Sustainable Solutions Manager, Structr Advisors, Virginia Beach
“Our industry plays a critical role in climate change and sea level rise. We have to shape our perspective to begin to think about how the building impacts both the occupant and the environment.”
Yiselle Santos Rivera
Director of Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion, HKS, Inc., Washington, DC
“We are the ones that ignite the fire. When we show there’s value in pursuing equity, diversity, and inclusion, we make sure that everyone is engaged in the conversation and accountable, there is no space for failure.”
Edward Becker
Professor of Architecture, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg
“Faced with the pressing global challenges of rapid urbanization and human-induced climate change, we should focus on the development and implementation of low-carbon construction.”
Pascale Sablan
Founder & Executive Director, Beyond the Built Environment, New York City
“We need to address the inequitable disparities in architecture by providing a holistic platform aimed to support numerous stages of the architecture pipeline.”
The yafCON team is looking to crowdsource questions for its engaging panel.