How to convince your boss to send you to AIA26
Five tips to convince your boss to send you to AIA26
Want to attend AIA26 but need your manager’s approval? Build a business case they can’t ignore. AIA26 is a high-value investment in your professional growth and your firm’s success—delivering insights, skills, and networking connections you can put to work the moment you return.
Use these five tips to clearly show the impact your attendance will have and make a confident, well-supported ask.
- Ask early—your boss may need to secure budget or approval from other decision-makers.
- Be direct—“I’d like to attend AIA26. Here’s what I’ll learn and how it benefits the firm” is stronger than “What do you think about me attending?”
- Use personal examples—connect your ask to your work, clients, and goals.
Talking points to help you craft your pitch
The industry’s best CE
AIA26 brings the most comprehensive continuing education in the industry—HSW, GBCI, RIBA, and AIA LUs—all taught by renowned speakers, leading architects, designers, and building product experts. With seminars, workshops, tours, Expo CE, and curated CE tracks, you’ll earn your credits for the year while sharpening essential skills.
When you return, you’ll bring back practical knowledge that keeps your team competitive, strategic, and informed about where the industry is heading.
Tip: Make a short list of sessions and map each one to a project or growth area for your firm. Offer to share highlights with your team after the conference.
Unparalleled networking
Who you meet is just as important as what you learn.
There’s no better platform to network your firm’s services than AIA26. There are opportunities all across the conference and the expo floor to connect with fellow architects, designers, and AEC industry professionals to build lasting relationships that can lead to future collaborations, partnerships, and business opportunities.
With 13,000+ expected attendees, hundreds of speakers, and hundreds of brands at the expo, you can bring back the contacts that drive new work.
Tip: Include who you’ll meet as part of your pitch. Building product manufacturers, subject-matter experts, firm leaders, and the AIA and AEC communities will all be there.
Major cost savings
Don’t forget to mention discounts!
- Register early to lock in your early bird discount (April 10 deadline) before rates increase, plus take advantage of substantial discounts for AIA members.
- Book your hotel room in AIA’s official hotel block to ensure you’re getting the lowest guaranteed San Diego rates.
Tip: Emphasize that you’ll stay productive on-site—AIA26 offers flexible spaces for calls, emails, and project work between sessions, plus free Wi-Fi across the convention center.
Sessions tailored to your firm’s goals
With nearly 350 CE sessions and specialized tracks, you can pick sessions that directly support you and your firm’s goals.
If your firm is struggling to win new work in today’s market, check out the Business & Firm Success Track—designed to help your firm achieve profitability. If your boss wants you to take on more of a leadership role, explore the Leadership & Growth Track.
Show your manager exactly how your session picks align with your firm’s strategic plan, current challenges, or new opportunities.
Tip: Use San Diego to your advantage—offer to meet with clients or pursue new leads while you’re in town, saving time and travel expenses!
Return on investment
Your attendance at AIA26 increases your firm’s visibility and positions it as engaged in the future of the profession. It’s an opportunity to be seen by other leading firms and brands and reinforce your company’s reputation as a forward-thinking organization. The knowledge, insights, inspiration, connections, and exposure you gain will have a tangible impact on your firm’s bottom line.
Tip: Remind your boss about the value of expanding your network—future design partners, specialty consultants, and new business opportunities often begin with conversations at AIA26.