Events & parties

Have fun & work the room

Nearly 100 events and parties offer you nearly 100 unique opportunities to network, celebrate peers, and meet new collaborators! The AIA Awards Gala, the Opening Night Celebration, Camp AIA, Women’s Leadership Luncheon, and more are all on the list!

Opening Night Celebration

June 5, 7:30–9:30pm | EV108
Kick off your AIA24 experience at the Opening Night Celebration! You’ll meet up with old friends and mingle with new as you enjoy drinks, dessert, entertainment, and stunning exhibits at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery. This event always sells out, so get your ticket today.

AIA Awards Gala

June 7, 6–9pm | EV316
Join us for a night with architecture’s stars! This year, AIA’s highly anticipated project-based award winners will be announced at the AIA Awards Gala, sponsored by Sherwin-Williams. This historic event is an event of firsts: It’s the first time AIA is revealing award winners at conference in a red carpet-style celebration, and it’s the first time AIA will celebrate all award winners, including new AIA Fellows, at one inclusive event.

We’re hosting the gala at the historic Pension Building, home of the National Building Museum and one of the most grand and dramatic spaces in our nation’s capital.

Your ticket includes admission to the Gala After Party, which will kick off at 9pm.

Experience an unforgettable night of recognition, inspiration, and camaraderie—and join us to make history.

AIA Awards Gala After-Party

June 7, 9–11pm | EV317
Continue the celebration! Enjoy an open bar and delicious desserts as you dance the night away and mingle with 2024 AIA award winners and fellows. This after-party—also a first—is your chance to connect with the brightest minds in architecture and design and keep the celebrations going. Purchase a ticket to the AIA Awards Gala and your After-Party ticket is free!

LGBTQ+ Happy Hour

June 5, 5:30–7pm | EV109
Join fellow LGBTQ+ conference attendees and local LGBTQ architects, designers, & builders for an evening of networking and community. Enjoy drinks and snacks at Dacha Beer Garden, in Washington’s Shaw neighborhood. This event is proudly co-hosted by AIAǀDC and AIA. All are welcome!

AIA College of Fellows Investiture Ceremony

June 6, 2–4pm | EV216
Celebrate the 2024 class of AIA Fellows at this memorable, free event that connects you to peers doing exceptional, standard-setting work. Fellowship is one of AIA’s highest membership honors, and members are elected through a rigorous process by a jury of their peers.

Women’s Leadership Luncheon

June 7, 11:30–1:30pm | EV314
Meet women across the building industry at one of our most popular events, the Women’s Leadership Luncheon. You’ll find a unique space where women network with purpose, sharing productive exchanges that could lead to potential mentorship or career opportunities. 2024 AIA President Kimberly Dowdell will deliver opening remarks and Alyson Steele, FAIA, CEO of Quinn Evans, will lead a conversation over lunch and dessert.

INSPIRE: Camp AIA

June 6, 9:30am–12:30pm
Inspire a future generation of architecture professionals through a new event, Camp AIA. Elementary and middle school students are joining us at AIA24 to learn what architects do, enhance their problem-solving skills, go on a Penn Quarter walking tour, and participate in a structure building contest. You’ll gain a new view of the profession through their eyes and learn how you can incorporate similar activities into your own work.

AIA Annual Business Meeting

June 5, 1–4pm | EV104
Add your voice to the conversation to shape the future of AIA. This critical annual meeting is the opportunity to hear about AIA programs and updates, participate in delegate voting on amendments to AIA bylaws and resolutions, and hear candidate information for national leadership positions.