FAQ

Find answers to frequently asked questions about AIA24! Tickets, discounts, continuing education, hotels, shuttles, and more.


Frequently asked questions

This year’s event is in Washington, D.C.

Walter E. Washington Convention Center
801 Allen Y. Lew Place NW
Washington, D.C. 20001

The conference dates are June 5–8, 2024.

The AIA24 Expo is June 6–7, 2024.


What is the early bird deadline?
Early bird rates are available through April 10. See pricing >

What is the advance rate deadline?
Advance rates are available through May 8. See pricing >

I’m a new AIA member. Am I eligible for a discounted ticket?
Yes! New AIA members who join between June 11, 2023, and June 8, 2024, can register for $159. Tours and some events carry an additional charge. View details >

How to use it: Log in to conference registration as an AIA member. Select the “New Member” package. Your shopping cart will display $159 for your package price.

Are group rates available?
Yes. Group rate discounts can save you up to an additional 20% off registration. Email us to learn more!

Are other discounts available?
Yes. In addition to early bird pricing, new AIA members, Associate AIA members, Emeritus members, students, and AIAS members are eligible for an additional discount. See if you’re eligible >

The Ultimate Pass comes with a free Guest Pass, among other perks like a tour credit, one ticket to the Opening Night Celebration, early entry to keynotes, and more.

Want to bring your team? Ask us about group rates, which can save you up to an additional 20% on registration.

I’m a member but I didn’t receive the member rate when I registered.
Please contact customer service so we can investigate what happened.

How do I make changes to my registration?
Log in to your registration record to add or modify tours and events, upgrade your pass, or register a guest or colleague. If your change requires a payment adjustment, email customer service or call (864) 342 6385.

How do I register a guest?
There are a few options to register your guest.

  • Purchase an Ultimate Pass, which includes a free Guest Pass. You can register your guest during registration.
  • Add a Guest Pass ($299) to your registration after you’ve registered for your own pass.

A guest is a family member, friend, or child of a registered attendee. Business associates and staff colleagues must register for a Full Pass or One-day Pass separately.

A Guest Pass includes access to keynotes and AIA24 Expo only; tours and events are an additional fee. A Guest Pass does not include access to attend seminars. If your guest wants to attend seminars, they must register for a Full Pass or One-day Pass.

Can my guest attend seminars and Expo Credit sessions?
No. A Guest Pass includes access to keynotes and the AIA24 Expo only. A Guest Pass does not include access to attend seminars. Tours and events are an additional fee. A guest is a family member, friend, or child of a registered attendee. Business associates and staff colleagues must register for a Full Pass or One-day Pass separately.

Do I need to register my spouse if I’m receiving an award?
If your spouse is only attending the AIA Awards Gala, you can purchase their event ticket during registration. If they’d like to attend keynotes or check out the expo floor, please register them as a guest.

How do I register my child?
Children under age 18 must be registered as a guest, have a badge, and be accompanied by an adult at all times. Registration is complimentary and must be done on-site. There are additional guidelines regarding children; please review our policy on children at AIA24.

How long do I have to complete my registration?
Once you begin the registration process, you have 24 hours to complete it. After 24 hours your registration record will still be available; however, the programs you selected will no longer be in your cart. This function is not available with the Expo Pass.

When do I register for sessions?
New! When you register for AIA24, you only have to register for keynotes, tours, symposia, and events. For any other sessions you’d like to attend, simply add them to your schedule using the AIA24 mobile app, which launches in May. For workshops, seminars, expo CE, and the Pro Series, make sure to select a first-, second-, and third-choice session during each time slot in case your first choice is full on-site.

At AIA24, all seminar seating is first-come, first-seated. We recommend arriving early to snag your seat. If a classroom is full, you can try getting into your second- or third-choice session.

When will I receive my badge?
You will receive a badge confirmation email closer to the event. Bring your email confirmation to the registration area at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center (Tuesday through Saturday), where you’ll print your badge. Registration hours will be listed in the AIA24 app.

What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellation and refund requests must be made in writing and received on or before May 8, 2024. Refunds will be issued for registration fees, less a $75 service fee, and full refunds will be issued for tour and event cancellations if the request is received by the deadline date. No refunds will be made for cancellation requests received after May 8 or for no-shows. Expo Passes and donations are not refundable. Substitutions are welcome and may be made without penalty.

Please contact customer service. Cancellations and substitutions will not be accepted by phone. Credit card refunds will be processed within two to three business days and issued to the credit card number on file. Check refunds are processed within six to eight weeks after the conference.

Does AIA allow solicitation/suitcasing at the event?
AIA has a no-solicitation policy. Unauthorized solicitation in the expo hall or other supplemental conference areas is strictly prohibited. This includes the distribution of samples, souvenirs, publications, etc., or other sales promotion activities. These activities may be conducted by paid exhibitors and sponsors only from within their respective booths. Anyone found violating this policy will be asked to leave immediately. No refunds for registration fees will be given if you are found to have violated this policy. Egregious and/or multiple violations of this policy may result in disqualification from future events at the discretion of AIA Management.

Do I need to register for keynotes or sessions?
New! We’ve changed our pre-registration policy for AIA24 sessions to give you more flexibility on-site.

When you register for AIA24, you are only required to pre-register for keynotes, tours, symposia, and events. Once the AIA24 mobile app launches in May, you’ll use it to build out your full schedule. That means adding workshops, seminars, Pro Series sessions, and expo CE you’d like to attend to your schedule. Because attendees no longer pre-register for these sessions, we recommend selecting first-, second-, and third-choice sessions for each time slot.

Remember: Pre-register for keynotes, tours, and events. Then select the remaining sessions you’d like to attend using the AIA24 mobile app.

At AIA24, all seminar seating is first-come, first-seated. We recommend arriving early to snag your seat. If a classroom is full, you can try getting into your second- or third-choice session.

Is there a virtual education option for AIA24?
If you can’t attend AIA24 in person, AIAU offers a curated selection of popular courses from past conferences to extend your learning once the conference is over.

What is the headquarters hotel?
The Marriott Marquis Washington, D.C. is the headquarters hotel.

What are the benefits of booking hotel rooms through AIA’s official housing vendor, MCI USA?
The local Washington, D.C. hotel market is one of the most competitive in the country. Book your hotel room through AIA’s official housing vendor, MCI USA, and get the guaranteed lowest rates at 30 hotels. AIA has personally vetted each hotel on the list, and many come with perks and amenities. Plus, there’s also no booking, change, or cancellation fees; and the option to pay later. Browse hotels >

Note: Reservations not made through AIA’s official housing vendor, MCI USA, are at your own risk.

Please read this important travel advisory:

Several housing agencies, including fraudulent companies, have dishonestly presented themselves as official booking agencies for AIA or AIA24 and have been contacting exhibitors and attendees to make hotel reservations using their services.

MCI USA is the only official housing agent for the event. No other housing company or travel agency is authorized to place hotel reservations for this event.

Please book within our hotel block to avoid scams and receive the best room rates.

Reservations made through any other agency cannot be guaranteed and may result in additional charges, incorrect hotel placement, inflated room rates, canceled rooms, or worse for other conference participants. Please use our online hotel reservation system to avoid any confusion or additional charges.

If you have questions or are contacted by any agency other than MCI, please notify us at (972) 349 5568 or via email.

Will shuttle bus service be provided?
Yes, shuttle bus service will be provided from a limited number of official AIA conference hotels. Please check the hotel list for details. A map of the hotel shuttle routes will be available in March.

Is there parking at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center?
No, the Walter E. Washington Convention Center does not offer on-site parking. Multiple parking garages are located around the convention center with hourly and daily rates.

Is there a health and safety policy?
Attendee acknowledges that their registration, tickets, and admission to any of the Event Activities are subject to all government (including, but not limited to, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the jurisdiction in which the Event occurs, and the localities Health Department regulations), the venue and The American Institute of Architects (AIA) safety and health policies, which includes the information set forth below. Attendee acknowledges that situations can arise that may dictate a change in these policies, therefore, the AIA may continue to develop and update these policies in the intervening time between Attendee’s registration or receipt of a ticket and the date of the Event. By registering for and/or attending or participating in any of the Activities, Attendee acknowledges and agrees, on behalf of themselves and anyone accompanying them (including any minor(s)) (1) that Attendee will comply with such policies and regularly check for any updates to such policies available via the Event website; (2) that Attendee’s and their attendance at the Event is conditioned on such compliance; and (3) that if Attendee’s or their admission to any of the Activities is denied or revoked because they have failed or refused to comply with any such safety and health policies of the venue or the AIA, they will not be eligible for any remedy, credit or refund.

What is expected of attendees?
Your safety is AIA’s top priority. AIA may require that attendees comply with procedures which are evolving over time and that may be implemented by AIA, its host hotel, and any event venues in order to protect the health and safety of all Event attendees.

Does AIA sell its attendee and/or exhibitor list(s)?
No. Please know that AIA does not sell its exhibitor or attendee lists and never provides bulk email contact information from its member database to corporate partners or any other organizations.

AIA has been facing an ongoing issue of scammers purporting to sell attendee lists, and any inquiry you may receive offering to sell such information is fraudulent. In the event you receive such an email you can report it as fraud to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

For additional information on how we collect and utilize data please refer to the AIA’s privacy policy.

Is the venue safe?
Walter E. Washington Convention Center is Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) certified. It was the first convention center in the northeast corridor to achieve this accreditation for preeminent cleaning, disinfection, and infection prevention strategies.

Is there free Wi-Fi in the convention center?
Yes. Complimentary Wi-Fi service is available across the entire facility.

Is there someplace to nurse my baby?
Yes. A Mamava Suite for nursing mothers is located in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, L Street North Lobby. These suites provide a secure, private room with electricity for breastfeeding mothers. The pods are not equipped with refrigerators, and the Convention Center does not provide refrigeration for breast milk.

You can also visit our Parent/Infant Room, Room 148, for a quiet, comfortable space to nurse or take a break with your baby.

Are there places to eat in the convention center?
At the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, all food and beverage is provided through DC Eats, a program that is committed to creating a distinct and authentic experience that embodies all of the diversity, culture, and heritage that DC has to offer while showcasing its flourishing culinary scene. Attendees will find convenient, healthy, and personalized options with food concepts that emphasize the local scene.

Foodies visiting the Convention Center will be happy to learn they’re surrounded by one of the city’s fastest-growing restaurant scenes. From artisan pizza shops to Michelin-starred destinations, you’ll find dozens of dining hot spots that are sure to satisfy your appetite.

Is the Walter E. Washington Convention Center accessible?
Yes, accessibility features include accessible entrances and restrooms and Braille signage.

Tactile Braille signage is in the entrance of all meeting rooms and restrooms, in addition to the inside and outside of all passenger elevators.

The public sidewalks surrounding the Convention Center feature curb cuts for wheelchair access. Automatic doors are located at Mt. Vernon Place, L Street, North & South, and Metro entrances to the Convention Center. Elevators are conveniently located near meeting rooms, common areas, and in exhibit halls. Telephones, drinking fountains, and restrooms throughout the building are wheelchair accessible.

Passenger elevators throughout the Convention Center provide access to all common areas of the building. Elevators are alarm-equipped, with two-way communications to the Command Center and have tactile Braille call buttons inside and outside the elevators.

I’m presenting a session at AIA24. Where can I find resources for speakers?
All AIA24 speakers have access to Harvester, our online speaker portal. Log in to Harvester to access speaker guidelines, sign the speaker agreement, update bios and photos, view speaker tips and resources, and upload PPTs and handouts.

If you have any questions about using Harvester or your session, please contact us.

Are there volunteer opportunities?
Yes. Please email us for more information.

Do volunteers get discounted conference registration?
Volunteers receive complimentary registration in exchange for 8 hours of required volunteer shifts. The registration fee must be paid upfront and then will be fully refunded at the end of the event as long as the required shifts are completed.

Are there accessibility considerations?
Yes, as part of a global community, AIA is building a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion to build a better future for everyone. This includes ensuring our conference is inclusive for all who attend.

What types of accessibility accommodations are available?
Accessibility and accommodation requests for the AIA Conference on Architecture & Design may include but are not limited to:

Provided during the conference:

  • Captions of classroom education sessions
  • Communication Assisted Realtime Translation (CART) interpretation during all Keynotes
  • Gender-neutral restrooms
  • Quiet room
  • Reserved accessibility and accommodations seating
  • Parent/Infant Room (includes private nursing space)
  • Private Mamava lactation pod located within the convention center
  • Service Animals are permitted in all areas of the convention center
  • Convention center accessible entrances and restrooms
  • Braille signage throughout the convention center
  • Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) venue

Provided upon request:

  • American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters
  • Electric scooter rental for usage at the convention center
  • Wheelchair accessible buses for bus tours (except for tours noted as not wheelchair accessible) and hotel shuttles.
  • Stage ramps or lifts for speakers upon request
  • Wheelchair lecterns for speakers upon request
  • Food allergy accommodation upon request during the registration process

How do I request accessibility accommodations?
Please email accessibility@conferenceonarchitecture.com for accessibility and accommodation requests by May 8, 2024. While we will do our best, arrangements cannot be guaranteed after this date.

Sponsors

 

View all sponsors >