2023 AIA Leadership Summit BY DALE BUCKINGHAM, AIA AND SUSAN MENGHINI, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR After two years of virtual gatherings, AIA’s premier chapter leadership training event returned to Washington, D.C., Feb. 14-17, 2023, with a new name and an exceptional program. Dale Buckingham, AIA and Susan Menghini attended the AIA Leadership Summit 2023 (formerly the Grassroots and Leadership Conference) for four days of vital leadership training, keynotes, networking, Hill Day and much more. The conference included how multigenerational trends change architecture, practical business knowledge through concurrent sessions on chapter management, operations and leadership, networking with hundreds of peers, and Capitol Hill visits to influence policy and engage with Members of Congress. Highlights include: • This year’s theme, Architecture’s Generations at Work, focused on building bridges to create a better world and a stronger profession, skills you can apply to every facet of your professional life. • AIA Leadership Summit is always one of AIA’s best-attended events. This year, reconnecting in person made it even more special. • The leadership of architects is critical in demonstrating the power of design to address society’s most pressing challenges, from climate action to racial and social justice to the pandemic. We took note of the discussion on how to advocate for the broader purposes of architecture through civic activism and the role of architects in making time for civic advocacy in their communities. The opening general session, titled Citizen Architect, began on the afternoon of Tuesday, February 14 with keynote James Carville. James is an American political consultant, author and occasional actor who has strategized for candidates for public office in the United States and in at least 23 nations abroad. Following the keynote presenter was a panel discussion on keeping the momentum of advocacy throughout the year. Involved citizens must advocate for their priority issues on a continual basis. The session explored ways to build lasting relationships with our elected officials, generate interest for our causes and collaborate with partners. The panelists Lakisha Woods, Kimberly Dowdell, Emily Grandstaff-Rice and Kevin Holland covered how AIA’s advocacy programs can add to your federal, state and local campaigns. AIA Lobby Day is one component of this year’s AIA Leadership Summit, with more than 400 architect members who attended meetings with their members of Congress. As professionals and constituents, AIA members are advocating for two bipartisan pieces of legislation that benefit communities and their inhabitants. In support of AIA’s Federal Issues agenda, Dale and Susan discussed with Senator John Barrasso, Senator Cynthia Lummis’ Legislative Assistant, Holt Edwards and Representative Harriet Hageman’s Legislative Assistant, James Leavitt, the Democracy in Design Act to ensure that communities across the country maintain 16 WYOMING ARCHITECTURE .23 | www.aia-wyoming.org
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