Earlier this month, AIA Ohio held the 2024 AIA Ohio Conference in Dublin, Ohio. The event was designed to get architects out in the community while including a full schedule of continuing education credits, keynote presentations, tours, networking with sponsors, and member recognition opportunities.
The conference, which ran from Sunday, September 15 through Tuesday, September 17, provided a wide variety of opportunities to see and experience different venues throughout the Bridge Park development in Dublin. Centered at the Exchange, where the keynote presentations were held, the conference provided attendees with opportunities to not only meet, network, and learn, but to also see and become familiar with venues throughout Bridge Park. From breakout sessions at Brick House Blue and the Dublin Library, to the opening night party at VASO Rooftop Lounge, to sketching the bridge, conference programs took members throughout the development to compliment the educational experiences they found in the classroom.
Traditional breakout sessions were offered on both Monday and Tuesday mornings. The quality of these sessions cannot be overlooked and several have been encouraged to submit their sessions for the National Conference in 2025. The design keynote presented by Karen Lu, AIA, of Snow Kreilich Architects, presented an insightful look into the firm’s current and recent projects. Tuesday’s morning keynote was an inspired conversation led by AIA President Kimberly Dowdell, AIA.
Building on last year’s AIA Ohio Conference, Monday afternoon provided five different tours throughout different parts of Columbus that focused on a variety of project types and neighborhoods. Bridge Park, Linden, the East Side and Weinland Park were featured, providing participants at the conference the opportunity to be part of tours that piqued their interests and addressed their needs. There was also a group sketch tour led by Tim Hawk, FAIA, at Bridge Park. These three-hour long programs took members to historic structures and new buildings, providing each attendee with an opportunity to see work that is ongoing in central Ohio.
A highlight of any conference is the AIA Ohio Awards Celebration. This year’s event was held during lunch on Monday, after Karen Lu’s inspirational keynote. Acknowledged at the program were this year’s AIA Ohio Foundation Charles Marr Citation recipients, Honor Award recipients, and those receiving AIA Ohio Design Awards. The venue provided attendees with a great space to recognize firms and individuals who have made a significant impact on the profession.
Both attendees and sponsors from last year wanted another LUs & Brews event and the AIA Ohio 2024 Conference provided it. This event gave members the chance to meet with vendors from a variety of companies and learn about materials, technology and new products in the marketplace. Nano-CEs were given for each session with food and drink provided throughout the evening as sponsors and vendors were able to share their knowledge and information. It is a fun and relaxing way to learn and expand networks.
It goes without saying that AIA Ohio deeply appreciates the support provided by this year’s sponsors.
The multi-day program offered a little bit of everything for everyone, and AIA Ohio looks forward to building on the many successes of this year’s event. We’ll start planning for next year’s conference in the coming months – if you’re interested in working on the planning committee, reach out to Kate Brunswick at kate@assnoffices.com for more information. We hope to see you all at next year’s AIA Ohio Conference!