WASHINGTON, D.C. — General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.), former Secretary of State (2001 – 2005), joins Cameron Sinclair, co-founder and chief eternal optimist of Architects For Humanity, and Blake Mycoskie, founder and chief shoe giver of TOMS, as keynote speakers for the 2013 AIA National Convention. The nation’s architects and design industry meet June 20-22, 2013 in Denver.

The AIA Convention is architecture’s largest annual gathering to keep current with innovative design solutions and the latest products and services that architects specify for the clients and communities they serve. The 2013 “Building Leaders” theme will give architects and design professionals opportunities to learn, share, and demonstrate the essential qualities that define leadership today.  Learn more at the AIA Convention site.

“Architects are more likely leading teams of talented professionals than working in the isolated, stereotypical way we see them in popular culture,” said AIA President-elect, Mickey Jacob, FAIA. “The ‘Building Leaders’ convention theme is focused on better preparing architects to contribute creative solutions with lasting positive impact on the health and well being of society.  General Powell, Blake Mycoskie, and Cameron Sinclair will inspire us through their insights and experiences to bring more to our roles in business, architecture, and civic life.”

About the keynote speaker topics:

Colin Powell: Leadership: Taking Charge
Powell is the epitome of the elder statesman; someone who selflessly served others at all levels; the individual, community, nationally, and globally.   He will share the important insights of someone who lived his life as a leader; serving, nurturing, and understanding the different perspectives that can help or hamper our effectiveness in the world.  The wisdom contained in his stories about how to be and sustain personal leadership will inspire attendees to find the will and determination to live by the time-honored coda of leaders.

Blake Mycoskie: Conscious Capitalism and the Future of Business
Founder and chief shoe giver of TOMS, Mycoskie believes in the power to inspire young people to help make tomorrow better, encouraging them to include giving in everything they do.  His hope is to see a future full of social-minded businesses and consumers.  Almost to a person, architects are passionate about helping improve the world and are educated to apply “design thinking” to the challenges facing clients and communities.  Like Mycoskie, architects often “give away their product” to those most in need, through pro-bono services in their communities and around the world.

Cameron Sinclair: Design Like You Give a Damn
Co-founder of Architects for Humanity, Sinclair launched the world's first open-source community dedicated to improving living conditions through innovative and sustainable design.  Every two years this network hosts a global challenge to tackle a systemic issue within the built environment.  He sustains his passion for helping improve the world, one project at a time, by tapping into the skilled passion of like-minded architects around the world.  His collaborative leadership highlights actions architects can take in their own communities should disaster strike or a specific need resist traditional approaches to finding solutions.

In addition to the keynote presentations, the AIA National Convention will offer hundreds of education sessions and tours of Denver architecture relevant to the way architects practice today.  Nearly 800 companies will showcase their new tools, materials, and services that architects can use in all phases of building projects; from concepts to commissioning.

For more information, visit www.aia.org.