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Business of Architecture Knowledge Committee

Members of this committee help to organize events and learning opportunities around the business side of architecture. Topics might include marketing, HR and legal, when to hire, practice structure and organization, contracts/contract negotiation, remote work, and more.

For 2026, the committee is hosting a series of roundtables and all members are invited to attend and participate either in person or virtually.

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Business of Architecture Roundtable Purpose

This group was formed to help small business leaders and owners by sharing knowledge and resources to grow architecture practices, increase profits, and prevent burnout.

Who is this intended for?
Small architecture leaders and owners of firms with 1 – 20 employees.

How often will the group meet?
In 2026, we are meeting 4 times, all on Tuesday: March 10th, June 16th, September 16th, and December 9th. All event information and links to RSVP can be found below.

Where does the group meet?
These are hybrid events, meeting in person at Neoera‘s offices (1200 Bannock Street, Denver) and via Teams.

A link to join online will be emailed to those who have RSVP’d a day before the scheduled event.

Committee members:
Emily Adams, AIA, Chair
Aaron Hodgin, AIA
Andrea Korber, AIA
Jacqueline Ponns-Bunney

RSVP for events at AIA Colorado’s event page.

Events

2026 Upcoming Event Schedule

When: Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Time: Networking 5:30 – 6 pm; Roundtable discussion 6 – 7:30 pm.
Teams: Available at 6 pm
Where: Neoera office: 1200 Bannock Street, Denver (street parking, parking meter)
Topic: People Management

When: Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Time: Networking 5:30 – 6 pm; Roundtable discussion 6 – 7:30 pm.
Teams: Available at 6 pm
Where: Neoera office: 1200 Bannock Street, Denver (street parking, parking meter)
Topic: Acquiring / Merging Your Business

When: Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Time: Networking 5:30 – 6 pm; Roundtable discussion 6 – 7:30 pm.
Teams: Available at 6 pm
Where: Neoera office: 1200 Bannock Street, Denver (street parking, parking meter)
Topic: Design Build

When: Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Time: Networking 5:30 – 6 pm; Roundtable discussion 6 – 7:30 pm.
Teams: Available at 6 pm
Where: Neoera office: 1200 Bannock Street, Denver (street parking, parking meter)
Topic: Retirement

Past Events

dec10 |

Owner Burnout

When: Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Time: Networking 5:30 – 6 pm; Roundtable discussion 6 – 7:30 pm.
Teams: Available at 6 pm
Where: Land+Shelter’s satellite office in Carbondale (1323 Westridge Court, Carbondale, CO 81623)
Topic: Owner Burnout. We will discuss topics such as:

What is owner burnout and what does it look like?
How does an owner get to burnout stage?
Dealing with stress
How to release/delegate responsibilities
Taking a sabbatical

sept10 |

Partnering in Architecture

When: Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Time: Networking 5:30 – 6 pm; Roundtable discussion 6 – 7:30 pm.
Teams: Available at 6 pm
Where: Neoera office: 1200 Bannock Street, Denver (street parking, parking meter)
Topic: Partnering in Architecture. We will discuss topics such as:

When do you know it’s time to partner with another architecture firm?
What are the pros and cons to partnering with other architecture firms?
What are the various partnership/teaming agreements that could benefit firms?
Joint Ventures vs. Teaming Agreements and associated risk
Design-build relationships with GC as prime

june18 |

Employees to Owners & Transition to Leadership

When: Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Time: Networking 5:30 – 6 pm; Roundtable discussion 6 – 7:30 pm.
Teams: Available at 6 pm
Where: Neoera office: 1200 Bannock Street, Denver (street parking, parking meter)
Part 1 Topic: Employees to Owners. We will discuss topics such as:

Best practices of transitioning current employees to owners
Operating Agreements
Client and Employee Relationships: existing client and employee relationships and how to navigate introduction of new owner

Part 2 Topic: Transition to Leadership. We will discuss topics such as:

How best to nurture employees growth
How to keep employees from getting pigeon-holed and how to move people forward in roles?
What are traits that turn employees into owners

march5 |

Financials & Fractional CFOs

When: Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Time: Networking 5:30 – 6 pm; Roundtable discussion 6 – 7:30 pm.
Teams: Available at 6 pm
Where: Neoera office: 1200 Bannock Street, Denver (street parking, parking meter)
Topic: Financials & Fractional CFOs. We will discuss topics such as:

How to read and interpret balance sheets and profit & loss statements
Best financial practices for architecture firms
How to achieve more profit

aia_colorado_boa_eventbrite_1 |

Recruitment and Hiring Strategies

When: Tuesday, March 5^th
Time: Networking 5:30 -6:00 p.m.; Roundtable discussion 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Zoom: Available at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Neoera office: 1200 Bannock Street, Denver (street parking, parking meter)
Topic: Recruitment and Hiring Strategies. We will discuss topics such as:

Hiring A to Z – recommended practices
When to hire a 1099 contractor or an employee
When to hire nonbillable personnel
Cost differences
Training and Retention
Dismissing employees

aia_colorado_boa_eventbrite_2 |

Contracts + Legal Documents

When: Tuesday, June 4^th
Time: Networking 5:30 -6:00 p.m.; Roundtable discussion 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Zoom: Available at 6:00 p.m.
Where: W&D Law office: 4600 S Syracuse Street, 9^th Floor, Denver
Topic: Contracts + Legal Documents

Real world risks faced by architects when entering into contracts
When are we most endanger of getting sued
How can we prevent lawsuits

aia_colorado_boa_eventbrite_3 |

Practice Structure + Organization

When: Tuesday, September 3rd
Time: Networking 5:30 -6:00 p.m.; Roundtable discussion 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Zoom: Available at 6:00 p.m.
Where: 1200 Bannock Street Denver, CO 80204
Topic: Practice Structure + Organization

Starting a firm. How to decide whether to be a sole proprietor, LLC or Corporation
Firm organization – roles, responsibilities
Managing a remote workforce

aia_colorado_boa_eventbrite_4 |

Remote Work Do’s + Don’ts

When: Tuesday, December 3
Time: Networking 5:30 -6:00 p.m.; Roundtable discussion 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Zoom: Available at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Neoera office: 1200 Bannock Street, Denver (street parking, parking meter)
Topic: Remote Work Do’s + Don’ts.

Should our practices be fully remote, fully in-person or hybrid
Setting employer and employee expectations
Incentivizing employees to come to the office
Remote work policy creation