AIA Colorado’s Practice + Design Conference

2025 Practice + Design Conference: THE POWER OF

Thank you to everyone who joined us in Keystone for the 2025 Practice + Design Conference and to those who followed along from your studios across the state. Whether you were onsite or catching updates from colleagues, this year’s gathering made one thing clear: THE POWER OF is not just a theme, but a call to action for Colorado architects.

Over three days, attendees explored the power of design to drive meaningful change, the power of technology to reshape practice, the power of a resilient and supported workforce, and the power of architects to lead with clarity in a rapidly evolving world.

A heartfelt thank you to our Conference Committee, volunteers, speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, and members for bringing conference to life this year. The conversations sparked in Keystone will continue to shape how we practice, collaborate, and lead in the months ahead, and we are excited to build on that momentum together.

Our annual call for submissions in July asks for presentations that offer inspiring insights, advanced practice management strategies, and practical innovations and this year’s presentations delivered exactly that! 

“The Power of Place: Reclaiming Equity Through Design in Native Communities”

• Joe Cruz, AIA, Chris Le, Assoc. AIA, Trisha Parekh, Assoc. AIA

“The New Colorado Model Low Energy and Carbon Code”

• Elizabeth Gillmor, Adam Berry

“The Climate Innovation Imperative: Risk, Resilience, and the Standard of Care”

• Yvonne Castillo Esq.

“Learning from Leaders: Honor Awards Panel”

• William Logan, Vanessa Kauffman Zimmerly, Kevin Nguyen, AIA, Kaylyn Kirby, AIA, Keith Hayes, AIA, Rick Sommerfeld, AIA, and Sean Jursnick, AIA

“Regulation & Resilience in Custom Residential Architecture”

• Brandon Herbst, Assoc. AIA, Blake Sullivan, AIA, Craig Lawrence, AIA, Bunny Tucker, AIA, Brian Sipes, AIA

“Rewiring the Framework for Architectural Education”

• Rafael Chavez, AIA

“Anywhere Specific: The Power of Collaboration”

• Rick Sommerfeld, AIA

“The Power of Small + Simple: Achieving Big Impacts for Net-Zero Projects”

• Tom Hootman, AIA, Scott Bishop, Assoc. AIA, and Saeed Amirchaghmaghi

“Colorado’s 2025 Single-Stair Bill Spurs Code Reform Movement”

• Jesse Adkins, AIA, Sean Jursnick, AIA, Jeff Evans, and Keaton Hodges

“Practice Simulation Lab“

• Alexandra Etzel, AIA, and Seth Duke, AIA

“Process & Presentation”

• David Zach

“How to Constructively Manage Leadership Differences in Your Design Firm”

• Todd Reding

Tech Connect once again focused a concentrated look at the tools, platforms, and AI-driven shifts that are redefining architectural practice, paired with honest discussions about responsibility, creativity, and what it means to stay ahead of change.

“AI in AEC: Mastering the Implementation Challenge”

• Akhil Hemanth, Assoc. AIA

“Beyond Technology: Leading AI-Driven Transformation in Architecture”

• Brooke Grammier

“Singularity, AI, and The Circular Economy”

• Paul Doherty

THE POWER OF is an invitation to explore and to act. The power of architecture goes beyond the built environment—it’s the power to influence policy, shape processes, build stronger communities, and challenge the forces that define our built environment. 

In a time of both challenge and opportunity, we ask: How are you using your power? Are you ready to lead, or content to react? Together, we’ll connect with others who are engaging with changing forces—policy, technology, climate, community—and explore how design can be a proactive tool of influence and aspiration for the future. 

The open floor plan of AIA Colorado’s Practice + Design Conference Expo Hall has been a huge success year after year, allowing architects and exhibitors fantastic opportunities to create genuine learning and connection.

At the Keystone Conference Center, in Keystone, CO, over 500 AIA members, Allied Members, and industry professionals have immersed themselves in cutting-edge ideas and innovations at the past two Practice + Design Conferences. Keynote presenters, representing the pinnacle of the architectural profession, have been truly fantastic, as were the concurrent speakers and breakout session presentations.

The Expo Hall, with its open floor plan, has served as a vibrant hub for energy and idea exchange. 50+ booths, hosted by knowledgeable industry vendors and associations, have offered valuable insights.

GENERATE 2024 Practice + Design Conference

If you missed the GENERATE 2024 edition of the annual AIA Colorado Practice + Design Conference, catch up with recaps from the keynotes and Tech Connect presentations, see photos from the conference, and see the many sponsors and exhibitors who made this conference such a fantastic event!

ENGAGE 2023 Practice + Design Conference

If you missed the 2023 edition of the annual AIA Colorado Practice + Design Conference, catch up with recaps from the keynotes, see photos from the Expo Hall floor, get links to the podcasts recorded live, and relive the learning and excitement from those three days in Keystone!

Practice + Design Conference Cancellation & Refund Policy is available here.