Summary: The AIA Continuing Education System staff invites full-time employees of architecture or A/E firms to attend the CES Firm Symposium: Adaptable Strategies for Professional Development March 5–7 in Charleston, S.C. Designed for the established leaders of today’s top A/E firms, this intensive, interactive symposium will focus on the strategic integration of professional development into the business practice of the firm. Discussions will focus on award-winning practices. Integral to the experience will be the interaction of the participants—professionals facing many of the same challenges as you deal with daily—providing inspiration and focus in a noncompetitive atmosphere.

In 2007, 512 architecture firms registered as AIA/CES firm providers. Most started out with brown-bag lunch programs. Today, most now offer at least some programs that were designed by and offered to their own employees. More advanced A/E firms are using continuing professional education as a tool for IDP, mentoring, and leadership development—and they expect results in enhanced job performance, retention, recruitment, and advancement. A few select firms are going even further by providing Webcasts and podcasts to their clients and for recruiting as part of a strategic business approach.

So, what makes your professional development program special? At which level of program development is your firm? Match your program to some of the best! For more information and to register, visit the AIA CES Web site.