The 2026 AIA Colorado Practice + Design Conference is scheduled for Nov. 11 - 13, 2026, at the Keystone Conference Center, in beautiful Keystone, CO. 

 For three days, 500 architects and design industry professionals from across the state converge for our annual event filled with educational sessions and networking. In past years, we’ve been honored to feature speakers of national and international acclaim, including Tom Kundig, FAIA, Carol Ross Barney, FAIA, Bjarke Ingels, Hon. FAIA, Julie Snow, FAIA, Tod Williams, FAIA, and Billie Tsein, AIA. Enhance your professional profile by applying to join this esteemed list of speakers at this year's event!

  Presentations will be selected and reviewed based on the following:    

• Relevance and Impact: The proposed session is current and practical; addresses the needs, challenges and/or opportunities of today's architects; and encourages attendees to consider personal/professional application and continued exploration. 
• Approach: The following should be clear - the session description and objectives; how the session adds value to the conference and serves attendees; what modes of facilitation the presenters will use; and what takeaways the participants can expect. 
• Creativity and Innovation: The session presents a new perspective and/or shares information in a compelling way. 
• Demonstrates Expertise: Speakers are experts in their field - the session proposal demonstrates original research, applied knowledge of (others') recognized research or theory, or personal capability/proficiency. 
• Learning Objectives: Presenters are able to articulate what participants will gain from witnessing the presentation.

Please share links to videos, podcasts, and/or written presentations that help to provide insight in presentation content and style. You are also welcome to submit draft material.

 The submission deadline is Friday, July 31, 2026, at Noon.

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 If you plan to exhibit at the conference, back by popular demand, 2026 exhibitors can request consideration as one of our mini-CES presenters.     

Contact Rylee Younger (rylee@aiacolorado.org) to learn more about our exclusive vendor-led CES opportunities in Keystone and if you have any additional questions related to this year's Practice + Design Conference.

The 2026 AIA Colorado Practice + Design Conference is taking place Nov. 11 - 13, 2026, at the Keystone Conference Center, in beautiful Keystone, CO.    

Please complete this by July 31, 2026! 

Program Overview

To improve the attendee experience and elevate the educational quality of the program, the 2026 Micro Sessions will transition from the expo floor to a dedicated presentation space with a more structured, “TED-style” format.

Based on feedback from previous years, attendees noted challenges with the prior booth-based format, including difficulty hearing presentations, navigating schedules, and identifying participating exhibitors. The updated format is intended to create a more focused learning environment while increasing visibility and engagement for participating exhibitors.

Six exhibitors will be selected to participate in this year’s Micro Sessions program:

•  Three presentations will take place Thursday morning 
•  Three presentations will take place Friday morning 

Each selected exhibitor will receive:

•  One 17-minute presentation slot 
•  A designated presentation area 
•  Access to display tables for products or supporting materials 
•  Promotion within conference materials and schedules 

Following each session, attendees will be encouraged to continue conversations at the exhibitor’s booth.

Participation remains complimentary and exclusive to registered exhibitors.

Submission Requirements

Interested exhibitors must submit a session proposal for committee review. Submissions should clearly demonstrate:

•  High-quality educational content. Sessions should prioritize education over product promotion.
•  Relevance to the architecture and design industry 
•  Strong HSW (Health, Safety, and Welfare) value 
•  Industry leadership and innovation 
•  Clear and engaging presentation structure 

Incomplete submissions may not be considered.

We need your information so that we can submit to AIA national for official HSW approval.   

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  Contact Rylee Younger (rylee@aiacolorado.org) with any questions.