Summary: In times of economic hardship, it’s not new for clients and the public to question the value of design. One way to reaffirm the primacy of design in the built environment and get access to new clients and new business opportunities in this contracting design and construction economy is to join the AIA National Speakers Registry. This online database collects the expertise of roughly 500 AIA members across the entire spectrum of design and construction services, and it’s always looking for new members.

The Speakers Registry is ideal for groups looking for conference speakers, community forums, professional development classes, and more. It’s searchable by name, topic, and location. After AIA members speak at events they receive feedback on the site about their performance. Subject matter examples include diversity, practicing architecture in a global economy, financial management, sustainability, design trends, managing risk in the building process, regional and urban design, and the public’s role in the design process.

The registry gives AIA members a chance to communicate the importance of a sustainable, high-quality built environment to diverse groups. And, as part of the AIA’s Navigating the Economy initiative, it provides another avenue of conversation between designers and their potential employers, positioning architects as subject matter experts who bring the unique value of design expertise to their client’s projects.

Sign up for the AIA Speakers Registry on AIA.org.