Grassroots Leadership Conference

The AIAS presents the 26th annual Grassroots Leadership Conference to be held in Washington, DC on July 22-25, 2010. The Grassroots conference offers instruction on how to be an effective leader, run a successful AIAS chapter, offers tips on motivating and organizing students, and is an opportunity to meet student leaders from across North America. The conference is designed for the chapter presidents and vice presidents but other emerging leaders are invited and encouraged to attend. Every chapter is expected to be represented.

The conference offers more than leadership development programs. The attendees will also participate in the governance of the AIAS when they meet as the Council of Presidents (COP). During these meetings, the attendees participate in the governance of the AIAS and are informed on important issues and ideas relevant to students, architectural education and the profession (voting is limited to one delegate from each chapter in good standing). This discourse sets the future direction for the organization.

For more information, please contact the AIAS at 202.626.7472 (9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET) or mailbox@aias.org.

Registration

• Regular (by June 15): $330/person
• Late (June 16 to June 28): $350/person
• On-Site (after June 28): $375/person. Please notify the AIAS office in advance if you plan to register onsite.

The registration fee includes lodging for three nights in a double/double room, most meals, all of the programs (including admission to the Spotlight on Design lecture at the National Building Museum) and related materials. Travel and all other meals are at the expense of the attendee. Payment may be made either by check (payable to the AIAS) or credit card (MasterCard or Visa only).

Accommodations
As part of your registration fee, you will receive accommodations in the host hotel, Embassy Suites Washington D.C. - Convention Center, located in downtown Washington, DC at 900 10th Street, NW.

The AIAS office will make all reservations via a rooming list. Accommodations will be same gender, nonsmoking, quad occupancy (four adults per room with two beds), unless you specifically request otherwise (additional fees will apply). The office will endeavor to meet all requests for roommates and other special needs. Requests should be made by June 21.

The Embassy Suites Hotel offers a special rate ($189/night) for one day before and after the conference if you would like to extend your stay in Washington, DC. You may want to do so as there is little time for sight-seeing during the conference. You will need to arrange this with the office in advance. If you have any other special housing requests or other needs, please contact the AIAS office.

Financing Your Participation
There are several funding sources you should explore that may support your attendance:

• Chapter Support - Many chapters fund their representatives to attend Grassroots. If not already in your budget and alternative sources of funding do not exist, make sure it is an item included for next year.
• Department Support - Your architecture department might have funds at the end of the fiscal year that they can contribute toward this leadership conference. Many departments already include this expense in their annual budgets.
• University Student Activities - Many campus student governments have funds reserved for leadership training opportunities for their student associations. You need to request funding NOW.
• Local AIA Chapter - This is a good way to partner with your local AIA chapter, or strengthen your ties. The AIAS Grassroots conference is similar to AIA Grassroots, which is something the leaders of your local AIA should be familiar with and understand the benefits of such a conference.
• Local Construction Industry Leaders - Here is an opportunity to create a line of communication outside the architecture industry. Every industry is interested in and is constantly seeking leaders in their own field as well as related fields.

Cancellation Policy
Cancellations prior to 12:00 Midnight (Eastern Time) on June 15, 2010 will be refunded less a $25 processing fee. NO REFUNDS OF REGISTRATION FEES WILL BE GIVEN AFTER JUNE 15, 2010. Cancellations must be made in writing by letter, fax (202.626.7414) or email to mailbox@aias.org (no phone calls will be accepted). Please allow four to six weeks after the conference for the refund to be provided.

Read the complete cancellation policy.