If you are coming to the AIA Conference on Architecture & Design (AIA26) this year (June 10-13 in San Diego), there is an official CCA workshop plus many more great sessions to consider! This guide provides you with an inside look at some of the sessions and events that CCA members might be most interested in.
CCA events
Wednesday: Architects in Work Boots
WK110 | 9:00am-12:00pm | 3 LU
For the third year in a row, the Construction Contract Administration (CCA) Knowledge Committee is excited to facilitate an Architects in Work Boots workshop. Based on participant feedback, this year's session will have more interactive scenarios. Facilitators will cover a broad range of CCA issues that arise from project types ranging from single-family homes to billion-dollar healthcare projects. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or just starting your career, you'll gain practical insights into emerging trends in CCA. You'll leave with a deeper understanding of the process and the common pitfalls of CCA.
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Friday: CCA Open Forum
EV308 | 12:15pm-1:15pm
Construction Contract Administration (CCA) is an often-neglected part of project delivery, yet it is essential to fully executing the shared vision of the client and architect. How are you engaged in this process to ensure quality, schedule, and budget? Which trends are currently impacting CCA in your work? In this open forum, join CCA leaders for an open discussion on relevant topics and trends in 2026. The leaders will also share a recap of recent programming, a preview of upcoming initiatives, and ideas for how you can engage with the group's work.
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Other sessions of interest
Wednesday
Tour - Shaping Snapdragon: Inside a New Campus District's Anchor Stadium
ET129 | 12-3:30pm | 2.5 LU HSW | $125
Experience the design and construction story of Snapdragon Stadium, a modern, 35,000-seat sports venue for San Diego State University Football and professional soccer. This in-depth tour, led by the design and engineering team, will explore how the project team overcame budget and schedule challenges during the pandemic through the creative use of exposed structural steel. Join us to discover how these innovative structural and aesthetic decisions created a cohesive, distinctly San Diego experience while resolving functional and logistical objectives. Plus, explore the process behind the striking cantilevered design and how the stadium anchors a new campus district.
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How Construction Documents Actually Work
SYM200 | 1-5pm | $99
Construction documents are more than a set of drawings—they’re a contract, a communication tool, and a risk management strategy. This course breaks down the fundamentals of construction documents and specifications in clear, practical terms, aligned with core concepts from the Construction Documents Technologist (CDT®) certification from the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI). Participants will learn how documents are structured, how specs support drawings, and how early design decisions ripple through the documentation phase. Expect clarity, real-world context, and immediately applicable skills.
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Daylight to Carbon: Insights from Computation, Simulation, & Construction
WK123 | 2:00pm-3:30pm | 1.5 HSW LU
Computational methods are transforming architectural practice by promoting low-carbon supply chains while connecting design inspiration with innovation and technology. Join us for this session, organized by AIA Building Performance Knowledge Community to explore simulation tools and design computation across the design-to-construction process. The first part will highlight spatial configuration, automated 3D layout estimation, and occupant-centric simulations addressing visual and non-visual effects, occupant health, and biophilia. The second will examine digital workflows for mass plywood and mass timber, linking structural simulation, digital fabrication, and sustainable material sourcing. Finally, panelists will review strategies to advance sustainability, health, and alignment with codes and standards.
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Thursday
Building for Tomorrow: Trends in U.S. Construction
CE135 | 3:30-4:00pm | 0.5 LU / RIBA
Over the last few years, shocks to international supply chains along with challenges in the labor supply and financing have complicated the construction market. As this session will show, these changes are significant but not insurmountable for shrewd construction leaders. Through data-driven insights, Michael Guckes, chief economist at ConstructConnect, will demonstrate how you can successfully navigate the ever-changing construction sector.
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Friday
Project Delivery and Public Architects Open Forum
EV322 | 12:15pm-1:15pm
The Public Architects and the Project Delivery Knowledge Communities are hosting a combined open forum to explore issues at the intersection of public projects and project delivery. Community leaders will facilitate round table discussions on how evolving project delivery methods and procurement practices are reshaping public projects, with a focus on shared challenges, best practices, and actionable strategies. Join us to learn more about each Knowledge Community, the resources they offer, and ways to get involved—while connecting with peers navigating rapid changes in design and construction.
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