How to Get the Most Out of AIA26

The American Institute of Architects’ Conference on Architecture & Design is hands-down one of the best events of the year. And if you’ve been before, you know how fast it goes. 

AIA26 is June 10–13 in San Diego with the Expo floor open June 11 and 12. With so little time to pack everything in, it can be overwhelming. Here’s how to make sure you come home feeling like it was worth every minute.

1. Pick Your Top Sessions Before You Get There

You don’t need a color-coded spreadsheet, but you do need something. Before you leave, pull up the session schedule and spend 10 minutes mapping out the talks you want to prioritize. Look up the locations as well (some might be further away than you think!). This is especially important if you’re looking for CE hours. 

Going in with even a loose plan means you’re not burning mental energy on logistics or joining a session just because the room isn’t full yet. Just make sure you leave room to breathe, whether that’s to meet new people or take a break!

2. The Expo Is Two Days — Don’t Sleep On It

Give yourself dedicated Expo time on both days rather than trying to squeeze it all into one. 

Day one, hit your priorities: the vendors you already work with, the categories you’re actively shopping, and the products you’re most curious about. 

Day two, explore. Let yourself get pulled into a booth you weren’t planning on. Some of the most useful finds happen when you’re not looking for anything in particular.

3. Go Say Hi to Your Vendors

The reps and account managers at these booths are people you probably email constantly but rarely see in person, and events are one of the few times all year they get to have a real conversation with the folks who actually use their products. Speaking from experience, they love it! So go say hi to the account manager you’ve worked with for two years and put a face to a name.

While you’re there, bring your ideas. If there’s a feature you wish existed, or something about the product that’s been driving you crazy, tell them. They want to know, and it’s not just talk.

Earlier this year, a few customers shared an idea at the Twindo booth at the International Builders’ Show. That idea became an actual product feature in less than 60 days. We can’t always promise that kind of turnaround, but it’s a good reminder: you don’t get what you don’t ask for.

And there are often extra perks, too. We’ve been known to share a special promo for customers who stop by.

4. Resist the Urge to Overschedule

This is a trap so many people fall into. Between packed agendas and constantly checking your email, you can start running on fumes by day two.

Give yourself permission to focus on the conference. One real connection or genuinely useful idea can be worth more than six sessions you only halfway pay attention to.

And if you can, truly take the time off from your usual workload. Replace “slow to respond” with “out of office,” and take full advantage of the event. 

5. Talk to Everyone

One of the coolest things about AIA is the range of people in the room: principals, tech founders, product reps, consultants, early-career folks, students. And each one can lead to a valuable conversation.

That young person you end up chatting with at a keynote might be your next great hire. The tech vendor at the small booth you almost walked past could end up being your most impactful partner a couple of years from now. 

And don’t be afraid to start the conversation. People go to events to connect, but it can be difficult to get the ball rolling. When you initiate a connection, you’re doing everyone a favor. 

See You in San Diego

AIA26 is June 10–13, and we’d love to see you at booth #4853 in the San Diego Convention Center. Bring your ideas or just say hello!

And if you still need an expo pass, use code AIA26EXGST for complimentary registration. See you soon!