Summary: The AIA 2009 National Convention and Design Exposition began in San Francisco Thursday, April 30. Recognizing the value of the learning opportunities at this premier gathering of architects from around the world, and that many AIA members simply cannot work the trip into their schedule or budget, the AIA is making 14 select convention education events available online through live video streaming, including all three keynote sessions. Further, participation qualifies one for continuing education learning units.

Another feature on a separate sign-in page is a virtual exhibition hall featuring up to 75 of the 800+ product and service providers that will be exhibiting in San Francisco.

While nothing compares with the personal connections and shared experiences when 25,000 design professionals gather in one setting, this virtual event, an unprecedented three days of professional education, provides you with an opportunity to invest in your career, your practice, and your future.

From sustainable design and economic concerns to diversity and ADA standards, the convention organizers carefully selected a cross-section of workshops and presentations to address members’ practice and professional development needs. These presentations will also be made available for a limited time online and on-demand. More information on these archived presentations will be available soon.

Advance registration is required for each session that you wish to attend.

Virtual convention live video streaming schedule

Thursday, April 30
The Art and Science of Designing to Net-Zero
7–8 a.m. (Pacific)
1 LU (HSW/SD)

Keynote Session: Focus on Firm Diversity and Global Practice
8:15–10 a.m. (Pacific)
2 LU (HSW/SD)

A Rearview Mirror and Fortune Teller-Lessons from this Downturn and Others
2–3:30 p.m. (Pacific)
1.5 LU

Making the Cut: The Psychological Impact of Downsizing and Surviving a Layoff
4–5 p.m. (Pacific)
1 LU

Define Your Career Vision: Practical Tactics and Strategies to Execute a Targeted Job Search
5–6 p.m. (Pacific)
1 LU

Friday, May 1
Using LEED to Maximize the Benefits of Sustainability
7–8 a.m. (Pacific)
1 LU (HSW/SD)

The New ADA Standards: What You Need to Know
8:15–9:45 a.m. (Pacific)
1.5 LU (HSW/SD)

Keynote Session: Focus on Design and Global Practice
10–11:30 a.m. (Pacific)
1.5 LU

The Beauty of Zero: The Design of a Zero-Energy Building
2–3:30 p.m. (Pacific)
1.5 LU (HSW/SD)

Succession Planning for Architects: How to Get Out of Business
4–5:30 p.m. (Pacific)
1.5 LU

Building with Balance: A Greenpeace Co-founder's Perspective
6–7 p.m. (Pacific)
1 LU (HSW/SD)

Saturday, May 2
Green Building Envelope Design: The Role of Building Envelope Airtightness on Energy Efficiency, Durability, and IAQ
7–8 a.m. (Pacific)
1 LU (HSW/SD)

Toward a Carbon Neutral Future: Making Dramatically Better Buildings Affordable
8:15–9:45 a.m. (Pacific)
1.5 LU (HSW/SD)

Keynote Session: Focus on Contemporary Architecture: Critical and New Opinions
2:30–4 p.m. (Pacific)
1.5 LU (HSW)

Participation
Your voice matters. During the three Keynote Sessions, you will have the opportunity to ask questions to panelists—just as if you were in the presentation theater.

Questions can be submitted using a Chat feature available through the interface that presents the live video stream. Members with a Twitter account can also submit questions via a tweet. The appropriate AIA hashtag will be provided in your confirmation e-mail.

Due to time constraints, please note that not all questions can be addressed.

Continuing education
Members who attend the AIA National Convention can satisfy their annual continuing education requirements in one setting. Attending all of the virtual sessions allows you to do the same—including the completion of health, safety, and welfare (HSW) learning units and the new sustainable design (SD) learning units.

For additional convenience, when you register and attend a virtual session, your learning units are automatically recorded in your AIA transcript. No self-reporting is necessary.

Virtual Convention (Exhibit Hall)
What convention experience is complete without a trip through the exhibit hall to learn about new products and services? While you won't come away with tchotchkes and swag, you can still visit up to 75 exhibitors in their virtual booths. All participating companies in the Virtual Convention (Exhibit Hall) are also exhibiting at the AIA national convention.

Although each exhibitor has created their own unique online experience, some of the options available when visiting a virtual exhibition may include the ability to view educational programs, chat with booth personnel, and download brochures.

There is no cost to register. However, in order to gain entry to the Virtual Convention, you must register separately from the live video streaming sessions.