Cesar Pelli, FAIA, once wrote that Chicago is the American City: “Its name conjures a mythical place where its architects were larger than life, and its buildings were new and noble.” You’ll be able to tour those “new and noble” buildings, meet “larger than life” architects, immerse yourself in the latest education innovations, and see some of the best building products on the market when Chicago hosts the AIA 2004 National Convention and Design Exposition June 10–12 at McCormick Place.

Registration for the AIA 2004 National Convention and Expo is now open. Save $70 by registering before May 14, and have a better chance of getting the workshops, tours, special events, programs, and travel and hotel accommodations that you want.

Themed “Learn. Celebrate. Dream,” the convention offers an abundance of take-away knowledge from inspiring presentations, workshops, seminars, tours, and special events to help attendees apply new ideas and approaches to the classic needs for safety, livability, and sustainability in their own communities.

Continuing ed: The convention will provide the opportunity to earn all the continuing education credits required for annual AIA membership. The $225 registration fee ($295 after May 14) for AIA members includes 150 1.5-LU seminars held over the course of the convention. Those who come a day early can select from 29 interactive half- and full-day workshops offered on Wednesday, June 9.

Tours: Attendees can earn additional LUs by participating in professional tours of Chicago’s spectacularly varied architecture, from historic Chicago School skyscrapers to the Inland Steel Building, and from the new Soldier Field to the lofts on Printer’s Row. Spend your days exploring green roofs, wind turbines, and solar energy—or touring the restored Chicago and Oriental Theaters. Or explore the Adler Planetarium, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Field Museum. There’ll also be exciting tours outside Chicago to Santiago Calatrava’s Milwaukee Art Museum and three of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Wisconsin masterpieces.

AIA Expo2004: More than 750 leading-edge companies will display products and services for the design and construction industry. The New Product and Technology Center, sponsored by McGraw-Hill Construction, will return as a resource for the most innovative, up-to-the-minute ideas and products. AIA Expo2004 also features Product Pavilions: High-tech, Fabric Architecture, Stone and Tile, Lighting, Restoration Products, and Green Products. New this year: the Interior Design Pavilion, the International Pavilion, and the Kitchen and Bath Pavilion. Selected AIA/CES Registered Providers will offer educational programs at their booths, so attendees can earn more LUs on the show floor.

Special events: The AIA Chicago Host Chapter Party at the Navy Pier’s Grand Ballroom draws inspiration from Chicago’s remarkable neighborhoods—Taylor Street’s Italian community; Devon Avenue’s Indian and West Asian neighborhood; Bronzeville, the vibrant center of the African American community—in all their amazing diversity. Dining by Design dinners, the annual Chancellor’s Cup Golf Tournament, and myriad other activities give conventioneers plenty of networking opportunities as they enjoy the host city’s hospitality.

New benefit for new AIA members. Members joining the AIA for the first time May 10, 2003–June 12, 2004, are invited to attend the 2004 annual convention free of charge. This offer includes continuing education seminars, general sessions, business meetings, and AIA Expo2004. For an additional fee, new members can purchase tickets for continuing education workshops, special events, and professional and guest tours.

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