Event Summary of the Leadership Summit in D.C.

2026 AIA LEADERSHIP SUMMIT - SUMMARY FOR MEMBERS

The AIA National Leadership Summit held in Washington, D.C. last week is the premier advocacy and leadership training event for all AIA Leaders and Advocates. The event officially sold out with over 500 architects converging on Capitol Hill to advocate for our profession!

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO AIA KY MEMBERS:

The annual event offers attendees a unique platform to engage in critical policy discussions with lawmakers on #AIAHillDay while enhancing their leadership skills as AEC professionals and AIA chapter leaders.

Illya Azaroff, FAIA, 2026 President of the AIA

Hear from the AIA National President regarding his priorities for advocacy at this year's event as we work collectively for a better future for architects and our communities.

Watch the video here.

HOW CAN MY VOICE BE HEARD IF I DID NOT ATTEND?

Right now, you can send an email in as little as two clicks to urge your members of Congress to support these four key issues:

Support federal loan access for architecture students: https://sbrew.link/MOY25abP
Support legislation to alleviate the housing crisis: https://sbrew.link/t1dY7TSW
Protect design freedom and significant federal buildings: https://sbrew.link/j3Z9fb1r
Strengthen section 179D of the tax code: https://sbrew.link/rTUdV6oK

With your voices from home and attendees on the ground, our collective impact makes a huge difference! If each member sends even one message, architects will be a dominant force on Capitol Hill! Be sure to check out the AIA Leadership Summit website

WHAT DOES THE AIA LEADERSHIP SUMMIT EVENT CONSIST OF?

DAY 1 - February 11: Hill Day preparation and advocacy programming, AIA Global Campus for Architecture & Design™ tours, networking dinner.
DAY 2 - February 12: networking breakfast, Hill Day, AIA Interactive Showcase, concurrent sessions 1-5, AIA Leadership Summit Reception
DAY 3 - February 13: Networking breakfast, CEO Welcome, Opening Keynote, Board of Directors candidate speeches, concurrent sessions 6-20, networking lunch, AIA Interactive Showcase, Afternoon Keynote
DAY 4 - February 14: Excellence in Board Leadership (exclusive training for chapter executive directors, presidents, and president-elects)

From left to right: Sarah Dalga, AIA | Alex Short, Assoc. AIA | Chris Bowling, AIA | Kelly Ives, AIA | Dave Mayo, AIA

WHAT DID AIA KENTUCKY LEADERS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THIS EVENT?

AIA EKY President - Alex Short, Associate AIA

"I wanted to reach out and discuss my takeaways from last weeks conference. I would recommend anyone who wants to be in a leadership position or who is in a leadership position participate in this conference."

HILL DAY:

"Hill day allowed for Architects to have a face to face with House Representatives and Senators for ongoing bills. We bring a different level of knowledge and understanding to these items. During our time at the Capitol, we were able to dive into our concerns with some ongoing bills and relate these back to projects or issues going on around the state. This approach brought things back to Kentucky and seemed to cause some consideration for some of the items being proposed."

LEADERSHIP SUMMIT CONFERENCE:

"This conference is very informative; we were able to learn some of the issues other chapters are having as well as some solutions that have been implemented or tested. This allows our boards to look over similar issues and determine if any of the proposed solutions would be viable for our members.

The networking opportunity is spectacular, not only did we meet some wonderful leaders from all around the country, but in these conversations, we were able to learn new tools and we may have set up Kentucky for a new trial study app that was developed by AIA California. It also offered the opportunity to have more national or other state leaders visit and work alongside Kentucky as we continue to consider unveiling some of these new tools." - Alex

ADVOCACY FOR ALL MEMBERS

We are energized by the many opportunities provided at the Leadership Summit and the shared voice from hundreds of our members! We get another opportunity to advocate at the State level next week with our AIA Kentucky Legislative Day at the Capitol in Frankfort.

Please see below for some quick references and resources throughout the year:

AIA NATIONAL: after AIA Leadership Summit ends and members return home, they are still here to support you at the state and local levels, too. Stay informed here: https://www.aia.org/advocacy

AIA KENTUCKY: the AIA KY Government Affairs Committee reviews, provides feedback, and recommends positions on pending legislation.

Greg Brotzge and Andrew Brotzge are our AIA Kentucky Lobbyists who continuosly track all legislation that may impact our profession and advocate on our behalf. Email Greg.
Eric Steva, AIA is the AIA KY Government Affairs Committee Chair. If you are interested in serving on this committee, please contact Eric Steva, AIA or Kelly Ives, AIA
Rob Deal, AIA is the chair of the KSA-PAC (Kentucky Society of Political Action Committee) and donations and more about their efforts can be found on their KSA-PAC Website.
Find & Email Your Legislator: find your legislator here and email them here

Let's continue to advocate for architects and our communities collectively!

Kelly E. Ives, AIA, CAE, LEED AP

Executive Vice President

859.223.8201

AIA Kentucky | aiaky.org