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AIA Hosts First Annual AEC Summit to Strengthen Industry Collaboration

The event brought together leading organizations from across the industry to engage in meaningful discussions on shared challenges and opportunities

Image courtesy of AIA

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) successfully hosted the inaugural AEC Summit: Maximizing Impact Across the AEC on February 26, 2025, at the National Building Museum. The event brought together leading organizations from across the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries to engage in meaningful discussions on shared challenges and opportunities.

Through interactive discussions and brainstorming sessions, participants explored key issues shaping the AEC landscape today, including climate action, developing inclusivity in the industry and in our communities, and industry-wide innovation. While acknowledging that AEC organizations may at times have competing priorities, attendees identified significant areas of alignment where joint efforts can drive meaningful impact.

“This summit was a powerful reminder that, while our industries may have distinct goals, we share many challenges and opportunities,” said Stephen T. Ayers, FAIA, Interim EVP/CEO of AIA. “By focusing on areas where our interests align, we can maximize our collective impact and shape a stronger future for the built environment.”

Key highlights of the event included:

A visual timeline exercise mapping the AEC industry’s evolution and challenges over the past decade.
Stakeholder mapping to identify key influencers shaping the future of the AEC.
Roundtable discussions on barriers to progress in sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation.
Collaborative brainstorming to develop actionable initiatives for AEC industry-wide change.

“As we move forward, AIA is committed to continuing this conversation and fostering a collaborative framework for action,” said Evelyn Lee, FAIA, 2025 AIA President. “This is just the beginning, and we look forward to engaging even more stakeholders in the future.”

Next steps from the summit include ongoing collaboration to refine and implement key ideas generated during the event. AIA will be organizing follow-up discussions and additional convenings to ensure continued progress.

“We encourage all industry leaders to join us in this effort,” said Illya Azaroff, FAIA, 2026 AIA President. “Together, we can break down silos and drive real change.”

AIA invites all attendees and industry professionals to continue the conversation at the AIA Conference on Architecture & Design 2025, taking place June 4-7 in Boston. Additional information about upcoming AEC convenings will be shared in the coming months.

Participating AEC Summit Organizations:

American Institute of Architects (AIA)
American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS)
American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC)
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA)
Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA)
Carbon Leadership Forum
Coalition of Community College Architecture Programs (CCCAP)
Construction Management Association of America (CMAA)
Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA)
Education Market Association (EDmarket)
Exterior Insulation and Finish System (EIFS) Association
Green Building Initiative (GBI)
Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS)
International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO)
International Institute of Building Enclosure (IIBE)
National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)
National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA)
National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA)
U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)