FAQ

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

I’m a new AIA member. Am I eligible for a discounted ticket?
Yes! New AIA members who join between June 8, 2025, and June 13, 2026, can register for $159. Additional offer available for California residents—learn more. Tours and some events carry an additional charge. View details

How to use it: Log in to conference registration using your AIA member login credentials. Your $159 rate will automatically appear for a Full Pass.

Are other discounts available?
Yes. Early bird and advance rate discounts are available. Additionally, AIA Associate members, AIA 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, two tickets to the AIA26 Opening Night Party, and access to the Ultimate Pass Lounge.

AIA26 also offers discounted group rates. Bring your team and save up to 40% on Full Pass rates. Visit the discounts page or contact us to learn more.

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. AIA customer service can be reached via email at AIA@maritz.com, or via phone at (864) 342 6385.

How do I make changes to my registration?
Log in to access your registration record. From your record, you can add or modify keynotes, tours, open studios, symposia, 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.

Can I register my team or a group to attend AIA26?
Yes. You can take advantage of exclusive group discounts on Full Pass rates. Make AIA26 a team investment: bring 10-14 team members for a 20% discount, 15-19 team members for a 30% discount, or 20+ team members for a 40% discount. Contact us to register your group.

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 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 the AIA26 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 for CE credit, 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 AIA26 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 AIA26.

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?
When you register for AIA26, you only have to register for keynotes, Architalks, tours, open studios, symposia, and events. For any other sessions you’d like to attend, simply add them to your schedule using the AIA26 app—available when registration opens. For workshops, seminars, and expo CE, 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 AIA26, 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 San Diego Convention Center (SDCC), Tuesday through Saturday, where you’ll print your badge. Registration hours will be listed in the AIA26 app.

What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellation and refund requests must be made in writing and received on or before May 11, 2026. Refunds will be issued for registration fees, less a $75 service fee. 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 11 or for no-shows. Expo Passes, AIA Awards Gala tickets, 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 five 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?
When you register for AIA26, you are only required to pre-register for keynotes, Architalks, tours, open studios, symposia, and events. After you register, start building out your full schedule using the AIA26 app. That means adding workshops, seminars, 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, symposia, tours, Open Studios, and events. Then select the remaining sessions you’d like to attend using the schedule builder in the AIA26 app.

At AIA26, all seminar seating is first-come, first-seated. We recommend arriving early to snag your seat. If a room is full, you can try getting into your second- or third-choice session.

I’m registered. How do I add keynotes, tours, open studios, symposia, and events?
Log in to access your registration record. From your record, you can add or modify keynotes, tours, open studios, symposia, 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.

Is there a virtual education option for AIA26?
If you can’t attend AIA26 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 Hilton San Diego Bayfront is the headquarters hotel.

What are the benefits of booking hotel rooms through AIA’s official housing vendor, MCI USA?
Book your hotel room through AIA’s official housing vendor, MCI USA, and get the guaranteed lowest rates at 20+ 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 you have 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 AIA26 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 guaranteed lowest 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?
Shuttle service will be provided between a limited number of hotels and the convention center.

Many of our hotels are located in the Gaslamp District, just a short walk from the SDCC. Reduce vehicle emissions and make our event greener—and enjoy San Diego’s charm as you walk to the convention center.

Is there parking at the San Diego Convention Center?
Yes, the SDCC offers on-site parking, and multiple parking garages are located around the convention center with hourly and daily rates. Learn more

What resources does AIA provide to attendees traveling internationally?
Individuals travel from all over the world to attend the AIA Conference on Architecture & Design®. Explore resources on visas and passports, including information on the U.S. Visa Waiver Program.

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?
Private Mamava lactation pods are available in Lobbies B & H (Ground Level), Lobby 20 (Upper Level), and outside Room 17 (Mezzanine Level). The pods can be unlocked by using the free Mamava mobile app. Additional lounges are located within partitioned areas of the women’s restrooms in Lobbies A and E. These spaces provide secure, private rooms with electricity for breastfeeding mothers. They are not equipped with refrigerators, and the convention center does not provide refrigeration for breast milk.

ADA-accessible locations include ground level Lobbies A and E, as well as the Mamava lactation pods in Lobbies B and H.

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

Are there places to eat in the convention center?
Concessions are located throughout the San Diego Convention Center. All locations are 100% cashless; all transactions must be completed using credit/debit cards or mobile payment.

There are also hydration stations located throughout the building. Bring a reusable water bottle and stay hydrated and energized.

Just across from the SDCC you’ll find the Gaslamp District, which has everything from quick bites to fine dining.

I’m presenting a session at AIA26. Where can I find resources for speakers?
All AIA26 speakers have access to our online speaker service center. Log in 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 the portal or your session, please contact us.

Are there volunteer opportunities at AIA26?
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.

I’d like to support the San Diego community while I’m at AIA26. What are my opportunities?
AIA26 is proud to support a variety of ways for attendees to make a positive impact on the local San Diego community. From mentoring the next generation of design professionals and workshopping San Diego’s civic center redevelopment to helping clean up a beach or volunteering your professional expertise, we’re creating meaningful opportunities to give back.

Visit the community impact page to discover how you can get involved.

Where and when can I download the AIA26 mobile app?
The AIA26 app will be available for download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store soon. Once it’s available, log in using the email address you registered with. Your pre-registered keynotes, tours, open studios, symposia, bootcamps, and events are automatically added to “My Schedule” in the AIA26 app.

Build out the rest of your schedule using the app. Bookmark your favorite CE seminars, workshops, and expo CE sessions. Since you cannot register for these sessions in advance, we recommend selecting a first-, second-, and third-choice session during each time slot in case your first choice is full on-site.

Is there an AIA26 code of conduct?
All participants who attend an AIA event must abide by the AIA Event Code of Conduct and all other AIA policies, including, but not limited to, AIA’s Non-Discrimination, Anti-Harassment, and Complaint Policy.

We want you to have a great experience at AIA26. Find policies including the Event Code of Conduct, children at AIA26, and more here.

Does AIA sell its attendee and/or exhibitor list(s)?
No. 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.