The AIA 2006 National Convention and Design Exposition will be held June 8-10 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. This year’s theme is “Architecture on the Edge: Innovation . . . Engagement . . . Inspiration,” and no other city in the world boasts as wide a range of innovative design as Los Angeles. The convention will explore innovation in design, construction, and beyond; examine the challenges of the public realm; and inspire fresh visions of a preferred future for the profession and for the built environment.

Earn LUs: The AIA National Convention and Design Exposition is the premier event for architects and building industry professionals. This year, many exciting educational and entertaining activities can be found through more than 150 continuing-education programs, 100 professional tours, 75 special events, and 800 leading-edge companies exhibiting their products and services. The 2006 convention is the opportunity to earn the continuing-education credits required for AIA membership and state licensure.

Tour the area: There are more than 100 tours of diverse, unique, and complex architecture rarely seen side-by-side anywhere else. This year, more than 30 tours qualify as diversity programs, which offer unique perspectives that improve the practice and profession of architecture. From the Getty Museum to Paramount Studios; from Modernism in Palms and Mar Vista to urban living in Los Angeles; from Santa Monica’s ultimate beach houses to the canyon’s Modern homes, traditional AIA tours will be anything but traditional in Southern California.

Relax and party: A wide variety of special events offer plenty of opportunities to network, relax with colleagues, and take time out from the business of the convention. AIA Los Angeles will host the official Welcome Party—World Party, an evening of global cuisine, music, and dance by some of Los Angeles’ top musicians and performers. The event will honor the winners of the AIA Los Angeles Design Awards—AIA Los Angeles’ most prestigious awards program.

Register early: AIA members have two opportunities to save on registration rates: Before March 15, the deep-discounted Early Bird registration rate is $235; before May 3, the discounted Advance registration rate is $285. After May 3, the full registration fee of $350 will apply.

We’re going green: This year, environmentally sustainable principles guide the planning of the AIA convention. The AIA goal is to reduce the environmental impact by working with the convention center, hotel properties, vendors, service providers, and member volunteers to identify proactive measures each can take to improve the environmental performance of the AIA convention. Expect to see positive changes in the way exhibitors do business, how materials from education sessions are distributed, and how the convention center operates.

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