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If you are coming to the AIA Conference on Architecture & Design (AIA25) this year (June 4-7 in Boston), there is an official PMKC event plus many more great sessions to consider! This guide provides you with an inside look at some of the sessions and events that PMKC members might be most interested in. If you work in a small firm, you might also be interested in the Small Firm Exchange's guide to Conference.

PMKC events

Thursday: PM Lunch

EV124 | 12pm-1:30pm | $100 before April 9 / $115 after April 9

Today's practice leaders face a vastly changed professional climate post-recession and in the new millennium. During the Practice Management Luncheon, practice leaders will speak about their personal and professional experiences with practice and career development in the 21st century. Learn what these leaders are doing to set their firms apart, engage new talent, foster emerging professionals, exceed client demands, and continue to grow their firms and themselves.

Other sessions of interest

Wednesday

TAP+COTE Symposium: Advancing a Sustainable Future through Technology Innovation
SYM102 | 8:45am-5pm | 6 LU/HSW | $149 / $279

This symposium will address the intersection of architectural practice, technological innovation, and environmental stewardship.Through expert-led panels, you'll learn about strategies for integrating AI, optimizing building performance, and navigating the evolving landscape of sustainable design and regulatory compliance. Plus explore the practical application of advanced technologies, the importance of carbon accounting methodologies, and collaborative approaches for fostering resilient and equitable built environments—all with an emphasis on actionable solutions for small and medium-sized AEC firms.

Workshop: Architects in Work Boots
WE100 | 9:30am-11:30am | 2 LU

Do you know how to lead a project through construction contract administration? To do so successfully, you need an in-depth understanding of how to manage this phase. This session will provide strategic management insights and feature case studies to empower you to chart your career path.

Workshop: Legal Best Practices for Architects
WE 102 | 9:30-11:30am | 2 LU

This workshop will feature presentations by architects who are also attorneys along with hands-on participation by you and other attendees. Join us to discover how to avoid problems and missteps when selecting clients, evaluating projects, writing proposals, assessing professional/business risks in contracts, managing project services, and responding to professional liability claims.

Stronger by Design: Architecture Firm Business Recovery & Resiliency Post-Crisis
WE105 | 9:30am-10:30am | 1 LU

As climate change amplifies the impact of catastrophic storms, every architecture firm needs to have a business contingency plan. In this session, you'll hear how leaders of New Orleans–based EskewDumezRipple pivoted to crisis management and kept the firm functioning in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Through this case study from CFO Jenifer Navard, you'll pick up practical lessons for maintaining business operations and keeping projects on track. You'll also learn how the firm used its Katrina experience to manage the death of its founding principal, the COVID-19 pandemic, and other crises.

Workshop: AIA & AIA Trust Collaboration: Starting & Operating Your Own Firm
WE103 | 9:30am-11am | 1.5 LU

This session will offer valuable insights on how to start and run a successful design firm. Learn how to make important business decisions while mitigating risks, assess how to build your reputation and survive downturns, and learn how to navigate regulations and safety concerns effectively. Explore the importance of having a strategic plan with goals, objectives, and targets that should be communicated to employees.

Internal Leadership Transitions and Succession Planning in Firms
WE150 | 10:30am-12pm | 1.5 LU

As firms grow and evolve, it becomes essential to prepare for leadership changes to ensure continuity, stability, and long-term success. Participants will learn effective strategies for identifying and developing future leaders, managing leadership transitions, and creating a seamless succession plan that aligns with the firm’s culture, values, and strategic goals. This panel will include firm members who will provide insights into the unique challenges and opportunities experienced during leadership transitions. By the end, participants will have the understanding needed to begin conversations within their own firms to begin conversations to ensure the next generation of leaders is ready to take the reins.

Rethinking the Firm: Could AI Be Your Next Practice Partner?
WE117 | 11am-12pm | 1 LU

What if AI could be your most powerful, and only, collaborator? In this session, you'll follow "Archie," an architect building a solo firm, as they test the limits of what AI can achieve in practice—from strategic planning to client engagement and project delivery. Through Archie's journey, you''ll explore AI's potential to streamline daily operations, expand creative potential, and open doors to new business models.

Workshop: Maximizing Mentorship Relationships to Elevate Individual & Firm Growth
WE120 | 1-3:30pm | 2.5 LU

Ready to grow? According to the AIA Guide for Equitable Practice, mentorship is key for recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce. This session will present case studies to explore how mentorship can contribute to individual and firm success. Join us to gain skills to engage in mentorship as a mentee and mentor, identify tools to set goals and expectations, consider how personality and matching contribute, and maximize opportunities for success.

Architects & the Economy—What Architecture Firm Billings Tell Us
WE124 | 1:30-2:45pm | 1.25 LU

For 30 years, the AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) has been tracking firm billings and providing insights into the future of the nonresidential construction marketplace. This session will shed light on this iconic business indicator and highlight how you can use it in your practice.

Strengthening Your Firm Through Intentional Supervision
WE149 | 3:30-4:30pm | 1.5 LU

Effective supervision is essential for developing future architects and strengthening your firm’s talent pipeline. Traditionally, experience was gained passively, but today’s competitive landscape demands a more strategic approach. By aligning supervision with the essential tasks from NCARB’s latest Analysis of Practice, firm leaders can ensure AXP candidates gain the skills needed for licensure while adding immediate value. This session equips you with tools and resources to enhance your supervisory practices—driving firm growth, innovation, and leadership development.

Maintaining Relevance in a Time of Disruptive Technology
WE137 | 3:30-4:45pm | 1.25 LU

The intriguing premise of this session is that professional practice will change radically over the next five to 10 years. Rather than viewing this as a threat, though, it can be a great opportunity—if you act now to adapt and take charge of those changes. Join us for a road map for this transformation. You'll also explore the difference between a digital services company, which most of our firms are today, and a data-enabled business, which our firms will need to become to thrive in the future.

One Foot in Your Mouth, the Other in a Grave
WE145 | 4-4:30pm | 0.5 LU

This session will focus on the importance of communication and documentation by every member of the firm. Join us for an illuminating discussion about the legal liability of architects, the dangers of inappropriate email communications, the impact of marketing materials, and the necessity of appropriate file retention. Through a review of illustrative claim stories, you''ll also discover how projects can go from rational to risky.

Streamlined Financial Habits for Busy Firm Owners
WE140 | 4-4:30pm | 0.5 LU

Have your methods for tracking financial performance evolved with the growth of your firm? As an owner, continually strengthening your financial confidence requires adopting new habits for project and firm financial management. In this fast-paced session, you'll discover which financial metrics you should review daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annually to efficiently and effectively manage firm finances.

Open Studio Night
EV501-EV524 | 6:30-8:30pm

Want to get an exclusive inside look at some of the leading architecture and design firms in Boston? Join us as Boston firms open their doors to give exclusive, one-night-only access to staff, space, and projects. You can visit the firms in any order and stay as long as you wish. Registration required

To learn more, change "View All" filter to "Program Type", then select "Open Studios" >

Thursday

Seven Strategies of Highly Successful Firms
TH101 | 7:30-8:30am | 1 LU

Successful architecture firms embrace strategies to maximize profit and minimize expenses, all while enabling a healthy and prosperous workforce. Using data from firms across the United States, this enlightening session will reveal those aspects that differentiate highly profitable firms from their peers.

David vs. Goliath: How Small Firms Can Compete & Win
TH102 | 7:30am-8:30am | 1 LU

This session will support access and equity, leveling the playing field with tools and tactics small firms can use to better define their competitive advantage, tell their story with more confidence, and claim their stake in hypercompetitive markets. Join us to remove the needless complexity in setting and meeting your firm's goals—from optimizing what's working well and adjusting your trajectory to proving your firm's value and enhancing your reputation to win the work you want.

Open Forums for AIA Knowledge Communities (also on Friday)
11am-12:30pm

Connect with your peers at an AIA knowledge community open forum. Led by members for members, these forums are an opportunity to network, hold discussions, and learn more about how to engage withing the community. Thursday's open forums will include the groups focused on retail, justice architecture, interfaith design, custom residences, regional & urban design, housing, technology, CA, environment, and interiors.

To learn more, search for "open forum" >

Free Firm Performance Audit (also on Friday - EV141)
EV125 | 12-5pm

How is your architecture firm performing? This one-on-one audit with a professional architecture business consultant will help you evaluate your firm's performance in the areas of finance, leadership, management, operations, sustainability, business development, marketing, and firm culture. You'll leave with actionable tips for how to improve your business practices—as well as customized insight into ways to leverage your firm's particular strengths.

Insights for Architecture Success: How to Craft a Data-Driven Strategy
TH307 | 4-5pm | 1 LU

This session will explore how architecture firms can craft data-driven business strategies to thrive in a competitive market. Join us to gain actionable insights on leveraging industry metrics and emerging trends to inform your strategic planning. Plus, learn how to assess your firm's strengths, align strategies with market opportunities, and foster innovation through data analytics. You'll leave this session with a comprehensive framework for enhancing adaptability, optimizing resource allocation, and improving project delivery to position your firm for sustained success in a rapidly changing landscape.

Small Firm Meetup
EV129 | 5-6pm | $5

Don't miss this chance to mix and mingle at the AIA booth with Small Firm Exchange leadership and fellow AIA members from small firms. You'll make new connections as you learn about the small firm practice resources available through the AIA.

Friday

From Contracts to Courtrooms: An Architect’s Guide to the Law
FR109 | 7:30am-8:30am

Ready for a deep dive into the intersection between law and architecture? Through an examination of court cases, laws, and contracts, this session will demystify legal issues that confront architects in their practice. Join us to hear about seminal court cases and laws that have affected the practice of architecture and pick up tips for mitigating legal risk in your practice.

Mergers & Acquisitions: The Good, the Bad & The Ugly
FR101 | 7:30am-8:30am

This session, taught by an architect who has facilitated dozens of mergers and acquisitions, will explore what makes a strategic acquisition successful. Join us to discover how to leverage a firm's strengths, create professional opportunities for staff, meet client obligations, navigate liability and insurance options, and avoid pitfalls common to many external sales. You'll also learn what to expect as you navigate this daunting process, including what makes an acquisition successful; how to find the right buyer; how to conduct due diligence; terms to include and to avoid; the pros and cons of an earnout; and more.

Open Forums for AIA Knowledge Communities (also on Thursday)
11am-12:30pm

Connect with your peers at an AIA knowledge community open forum. Led by members for members, these forums are an opportunity to network, hold discussions, and learn more about how to engage withing the community. Friday's open forums will include the groups focused on public architects, small projects, education facilities, design for aging, project delivery, and design.

To learn more, search for "open forum" >

Free Firm Performance Audit (also on Thursday - EV125)
EV141 | 12-3pm

How is your architecture firm performing? This one-on-one audit with a professional architecture business consultant will help you evaluate your firm's performance in the areas of finance, leadership, management, operations, sustainability, business development, marketing, and firm culture. You'll leave with actionable tips for how to improve your business practices—as well as customized insight into ways to leverage your firm's particular strengths.

Women's Leadership Luncheon
EV142 | 12:30pm-2:30pm | $115

A cornerstone of AIA25, the Women's Leadership Luncheon is more than a networking event—it's a celebration of women's achievements and a catalyst for professional growth within the AEC industry. This dynamic gathering fosters a supportive environment where meaningful conversations inspire new ideas, foster mentorships, and open doors to professional growth. Join us for an enriching experience with a lasting impact.

Demystifying the AIA Design Data Exchange: Collaborative Workshop for First-Time Users
EX152 | 1-2:30pm | 1 LU | $5

This hands-on workshop will onboard first-time and returning users to AIA's Design Data Exchange (DDx) to learn how the platform supports signatory firms' engagement with the AIA 2030 Commitment. The DDx is a powerful tool for tracking progress toward net-zero energy goals and can be leveraged to make data-driven design choices. In this session, you'll learn to navigate the DDx and input project information as well as apply your new skills using a real project. You'll also brainstorm solid strategies for reporting your portfolio to AIA 2030 and hear tips on creating a strong Sustainability Action Plan.

A Conversation With the 2025 AIA Firm Award Winner
FR408 | 4-5:15pm | 1.25 LU

The Architecture Firm Award winner is honored in a variety of ways at our national conference. For many years, the AIA Committee on Design has hosted a long-form conversation as a way to shed light on the winning firm's approach to practice. This session will feature the AIA Firm Award winner as the primary focus, blending a presentation of work, personal reflection, moderated discussion, and audience participation and Q&A.

Equity in Design: Challenges, Successes, and the Future
PRO200 | 4-5:15pm | 1.25 LU

In this pro series session, Bryan C. Lee, Jr., FAIA, NOMA president, and founder of Colloqate Design—a firm committed to advancing design justice—will share his insights on how architects can embed equity and inclusivity into their practice. Widely recognized for his leadership in advancing diversity and community-centered design, Lee will highlight the transformative potential of architecture in addressing systemic inequities. Through case studies and real-world examples, you’ll explore strategies for advancing design justice and diversity within the profession.

The Case for Radical Empathy & Inclusion in Architectural Practice
FR409 | 4-5pm | 1 LU

In this interactive session, explore how architectural practices can embrace ‘radical empathy’ to establish inclusive firm cultures and deliver more thoughtful projects that reflect and strengthen their local conditions. Attendees will learn strategies from firm leadership working in multifaceted communities to uncover common ground with clients, staff, collaborators, and the public through the lens of ethics and empathy to benefit a range of issues, from improving daily project management hurdles to establishing firm-wide equity and trust.

The Digital Presence Playbook for Growing Architecture Firms
FR410 | 4-5pm | 1 LU

Would you like to learn how to create a powerful digital presence for your architecture firm—without a big budget or dedicated marketing team? If so, don't miss this session. Join us to explore everything from defining your ideal client and crafting impactful messaging to building a website and social media strategy that showcase your unique strengths. You'll walk away with practical tools and resources, including a step-by-step playbook tailored for firms looking to stand out, attract clients, and grow their brand online, all with limited resources.

Saturday

Is My Practice Making Any Profit? Key Metrics for Success
SA100 | 7:30-8:30am | 1 LU

In today's competitive architectural landscape, understanding the financial health of your practice is just as critical as designing innovative spaces. This comprehensive session will empower you with the knowledge and tools needed to understand key financial concepts and implement performance metrics to drive a successful business. As you'll see, whether you're leading a small studio or managing a larger team, financial literacy and strategic planning are key to long-term sustainability.

A Practical, Purposeful & Private Approach to AI Adoption
SA105 | 7:30-8:30am | 1 LU

AI is all the rage in AEC today, but many firms jump into the deep end without regard for the security and veracity of their source data. This session will highlight the risks of inadequate preparation for AI and provide guidelines for establishing a digital foundation. You'll also have a chance to discuss how AI tools can be used behind the scenes to organize and clean a firm''s data in preparation for the popular AI-powered end-user tools of today and tomorrow.

Realizing ROI With Learning & Development
SA207 | 10:30-11:30am | 1 LU

Talent development is core to the health and growth of professional services firms. With new workplace modalities and an increasingly intergenerational workforce, investing in learning and development (L&D) programming for everyone—regardless of title or tenure—is as crucial as ever. This session, led by speakers with experience in both the architecture profession and L&D, will present best practices and design principles for producing high-impact learning experiences. You''ll take away valuable insights, including by creating a checklist you can use to assess your L&D initiatives and guide future L&D investments.

How Do You Know If Your Brand Works?
SA206 | 10:30am-11:30am | 1 LU

Interested in learning how to assess and strengthen your brand's impact within the AEC industry? This session will explore five key indicators that reveal whether your brand is effectively driving client alignment, business growth, and team retention. Join us to gain insights into the five pillars of successful branding—naming, visual identity, messaging, visibility, and consistency—designed to boost brand equity and performance. You'll walk away with practical strategies to enhance your firm's reputation, communicate your values, and achieve long-term success in a competitive marketplace.

Winning Words: Proposal Writing for Impact
SA202 | 10:30am-12:30pm | 1.25 LU

Professional programs by their nature teach architects how to speak to other architects. Then, once an architect starts practicing, the language of architecture takes very specific forms, such as project or process descriptions for winning work, project or process descriptions for winning awards, and legal language for proposals, negotiations, and contracts. None of these narrative forms, however, expand understanding of the meaning and value of architects and their work to non-architect audiences. Filling that gap will be the focus of this enlightening session.

Mastering Inclusive Leadership: From Assessment to Action for Lasting Impact
SA201 | 10:30am-12:30pm | 2 LU

This advanced workshop will offer leaders a unique opportunity to develop the inclusive leadership skills needed to foster a sense of belonging in the workplace. You and other participants will complete an inclusive leadership assessment to identify strengths and areas for growth in leading diverse teams. Through interactive discussions and real-life scenarios, you'll also learn about and practice key skills to improve your ability to lead diverse teams. Plus, develop a personalized action plan to apply inclusive leadership behaviors in your workplace and create a more collaborative and innovative environment.

Rock-Star Presentation Skills for Architects & Designers
SA302 | 12:00-1pm | 1 LU

The ability to communicate your ideas clearly is an essential soft skill for every architect and designer. This high-octane session will rock you with robust audience participation, street-theatre skits, and a well-rounded curriculum to elevate your presentation skills. Join us to gain new competence that will help you deliver your ideas with confidence and assurance and can open new doors for career advancement. You'll strengthen your ability to inspire clients to achieve amazing goals. Plus, discover how to form diverse and inclusive teams to build consensus with your communities, thus changing the way we live, work, and play together.

The Client Is the Hero: Utilizing Storytelling to Win Clients
SA300 | 12-1pm | 1 LU

What's the secret to building trust and fostering long-term client relationships in the AEC industry? Understanding how to turn client meetings into collaborative adventures. This session will show you how to position the client as the hero of their story, with you as their trusted guide, to enhance client relationships throughout the project life cycle. Architect business coach Bryon McCartney will reveal how to improve client interactions and project outcomes. Join us to learn how to elevate your role from service provider to trusted advisor, leading to more successful projects and firm growth.

Small Firm Exchange Forum
EV150 | 1-2:30pm

Hear the latest from the AIA Small Firm Exchange (SFx), a national AIA member group formed to advance the mutual interests of architects practicing in small firms. You'll benefit from shared insights, concerns, and solutions to small firm issues as you contribute to the conversation of the open forum. This event will showcase how the SFx advocates for small firms within the AIA as well as in outside organizations and agencies. You'll deepen your appreciation for the work of the SFx to promote leadership, facilitate professional development, and support the local component roundtables and small firm networks.

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