Attending A’23?

Conference news Education Expo Fun Networking
, by Dawn Scarola

Here's everything you need to know!

The information you need, all in one place, to have the best conference experience. Read it, save it, and contact us with any questions!

Before you go

Pack layers, comfortable shoes, & a reusable water bottle
The weather forecast looks great for next week. You can expect daytime high temps in the low 60s, with evening temperatures in the low- to mid-50s. Pack layers that will keep you comfortable, especially since convention centers tend to be well air-conditioned.

Although many sessions will be hosted inside Moscone Center, in air conditioning, some tours and other events will be hosted outside. Comfortable shoes are a must, and you may want to consider bringing a jacket, hat, sunscreen, and close-toed shoes if you’re taking a tour.

Don’t forget your reusable water bottle, which will serve you well in and around Moscone Center. The city’s commitment to sustainability means water bottle refill stations are everywhere—across Moscone Center, at the airport, and around town.

Finalize your schedule
If you haven’t registered for all the sessions you’d like to attend, now is the time to do it. It will save you time on-site, and it will reserve your seat at the sessions you’d like to attend. (Scroll down to read our seminar seating policy.)

If you’ve already registered for your sessions, take a final look at your schedule and ensure it’s complete. You can do this by logging in to your registration record and/or reviewing the badge preview email sent on June 1, 2023.

If you haven’t registered for an open studio, consider adding one to your schedule (registration required). Several dozen local firms are opening their doors for exclusive, one-night-only access to staff, space, and projects. These are also selling out, so act quickly.

Download the A’23 app
The A’23 app lets you schedule one-on-one appointments with exhibitors, many of whom are bringing their technical experts. Download the app, log in using your registration id and email address, then create your “My Show Planner” account to get started.

After creating your account, you’ll see your entire schedule—all seminars, events, tours, open studios, and other sessions for which you’ve registered. You’ll also be able to schedule appointments with exhibitors and their technical experts (as mentioned above), as well as save favorite sessions and exhibitors and add your own notes.

Download via Google Play or the Apple App Store.

A’23 Shuttles & public transportation

A free shuttle service will operate between The Moscone Center and most Aʼ23 hotels at approximately 15- to 30-minute intervals. Don’t forget your badge because you’ll need it to ride the shuttle.

For ADA shuttles, please call or text (725) 777 5998 at least 30 minutes in advance. Please note: This number is active only during shuttle service hours.

Shuttle schedule

Walking distance hotels include:

  • Clancy
  • Hyatt Regency Downtown SOMA
  • InterContinental San Francisco
  • San Francisco Marriott Marquis
  • St. Regis San Francisco
  • W San Francisco

Bus and rail service operates between Moscone Center and points across San Francisco. The Moscone Center website has specific directions.

Pick up your badge

We’re completely ticket-free this year. Use the QR code on the front of your badge to gain entry into the education sessions, tours, and events you registered for.

Full registration services
The Moscone Center – South Building

At this location, you can pick up your badge, make schedule changes, check your record of attendance, and add missing credits.

  • Tuesday, June 6: 3–6pm
  • Wednesday, June 7: 7am–6pm
  • Thursday, June 8: 7am–6:30pm
  • Friday, June 9: 7am–5pm
  • Saturday, June 10: 7:30am–2pm

Badge pick-up ONLY
You can only pick up your badge at these locations. Please go to The Moscone Center – South Building for full registration services.

The Moscone Center – North Lobby

  • Wednesday, June 7: 7am–2pm
  • Thursday, June 8: 9am–3pm
  • Friday, June 9: 9am–3pm
  • Saturday, June 10: 9am–2pm

Hilton San Francisco Union Square

  • Tuesday, June 6: 3–6pm
  • Wednesday, June 7: 11am–6pm
  • Thursday, June 8: 7am–3pm

Details for your A’23 experience

Conference hashtag!
If you’re posting on social channels or taking pictures or videos, be sure to add the conference hashtag, #A23Con.

Seminar seating: How it works
Show up to the classroom 15 minutes before the session starts. Scan your name badge to enter and claim your seat. 10 Minutes before a session begins, we’ll release unclaimed seats on a first-come, first-seated basis. Unfortunately, we cannot hold reserved seats for late arrivals.

Feeling spontaneous? Come to the classroom entrance or Tours Lounge 10 minutes before the event begins—we’ll release any unclaimed seats on a first-come, first-seated basis.

Please note: If you didn’t register for a session, you might not be able to get in. No wait lists; no holding seats for late arrivals.

Keynotes
Thursday, June 8: 8:30–9:45am
Barbara Bouza, FAIA, President, Walt Disney Imagineering

Friday, June 9: 8:30–9:45am
Sponsored by Autodesk

  • Amy Bunszel, EVP, AEC Design Solutions, Autodesk
  • Robin Carnahan, Administrator, General Services Administration
  • Jennifer Devlin-Herbert, FAIA, President & CEO, EHDD
  • Eric Lamb, Board of Directors, DPR Construction

Saturday, June 10: 8:30–9:30am
The Right Honourable Jacinda Arden, Prime Minister of New Zealand (2017-2023); Senior Fellow, Harvard University; Special Envoy, Christchurch Call; Board Member, The Earthshot Prize

AIA Store & book signings
Located in The Moscone Center – South Lobby, the AIA Store is the place to pick up your AIA products and gear, the official conference t-shirt, home decor, books, as well as meet some of your favorite architects and designers!

AIA Store hours:

  • Wednesday, June 7: 8am–6pm
  • Thursday, June 8: 8am–6pm
  • Friday, June 9: 8am–5pm
  • Saturday, June 10: 8am–2pm

And don’t miss these appearances and book signings, all happening at the AIA Store!

Wednesday, 3:30–4:15pm
Mark DeKay, AIA, and Gail Brager, PhD

Thursday, 3:45–4:30pm
Kelly Hayes McAlonie, FAIA

Friday, 9:50–11am
James Timberlake, FAIA, and Billie Faircloth, FAIA
Angela Brooks, FAIA, and Lawrence Scarpa, FAIA
William Leddy, FAIA, and Richard Stacy, AIA
David Baker, FAIA, Amanda Loper, AIA, and Daniel Simons, FAIA
Dr. Sharon Egretta Sutton, FAIA
Marlon Blackwell, FAIA

Friday, 11:30am–12:30pm
City Shapers: Stories of Immigrant Designers | Contributors

  • Gabriela Baierle-Atwood, AIA
  • Yanitza Brongers-Marrero, FAIA
  • Graciela Carrillo, AIA
  • Kelly Hayes McAlonie, FAIA
  • Sara Jazaveri, AIA
  • Yu-Ngok Lo, FAIA
  • Apurva Purandare, Assoc. AIA
  • Li Ren, AIA
  • Juan Ricardes, Int’l. Assoc. AIA
  • Shahad Sadeq, Assoc. AIA
  • Luciana Triplett, AIA
  • Willy Zambrano, FAIA

Friday, 12:30–1:15pm
Frances Anderton
Paul Adamson, FAIA

Parties & receptions
Tickets are still available for several parties and events. Get your tickets now before they’re completely sold out! (See the full list here.) At the event, use your conference badge to get in. If your event includes drink tickets, you’ll get them at the door.

The Block Party, conference’s biggest party, is taking over the Architecture Expo on Thursday, June 8. There’s San Francisco-themed live entertainment, food, and drinks across the floor, and every exhibitor is participating. Festivities begin at 5:00pm, which leaves the rest of your night open for alumni receptions, celebrations, or wherever the evening takes you.

The Architecture Expo
The expo is hub of innovation for the AEC industry, and one of conference’s most anticipated experiences.

From the world’s top building manufacturers to live demos, one-on-one Q&A, samples, courses, networking, and live programming on hot topics, the expo has everything you need. Over two days, you’ll see the big ideas and newest products that are transforming our industry. There’s also networking, networking, and more networking to help you make new connections and business relationships.

This year’s expo experience also features games, wellness, relaxation, and PUPPIES. (Yes, you read that right), plus the NextGen Lounge (headshots, career coaching, live programming, social events), the AIA Booth (puppies, live programming, projects gallery), and conference’s biggest party, The Block Party.

Expo hours:

  • Thursday, June 8: 10am–6:30pm
  • Friday, June 9: 9:45am–4pm

This blog post has all the details, and what you need to know in advance. Be sure to read it!

Information desk
Questions? Stop by the Information Desk, located in the lobby at the Moscone Center – South Building.

  • Tuesday, June 6: 3–6pm
  • Wednesday, June 7: 7am–6pm
  • Thursday, June 8: 7am–6:30pm
  • Friday, June 9: 7am–5pm
  • Saturday, June 10: 7:30am–2pm

AIA Code of Conduct

All participants must abide by this Code of Conduct and all other AIA policies.

The profession of architecture appeals to the highest ideals of design thinking, problem-solving, and intellectual exchange in support of protecting the health, safety, and welfare of society. Participants at AIA conferences, events, and programs reflect a vibrant network of design professionals who come together to learn, grow, and contribute. As such, we expect everyone engaged in our events to foster a welcoming and safe environment at all times, for all participants. Accordingly:

  • DO NOT engage in disruptive or disrespectful behavior.
  • Harassing or discriminatory behavior is unacceptable. See AIA’s Harassment Policy.
  • Though time, logistics, and legal constraints may not allow AIA to make an immediate determination or take any action during a live event, AIA reserves the right to analyze and take any available action, as appropriate, after the event.

Report any concerns to event@conferenceonarchitecture.com.

Save the date!

A’24 takes place June 5–8 in Washington, DC.  We’ll see you there!