The AIAS presents the 24th annual Grassroots Leadership Conference to be held in Washington, DC on July 17-20, 2008. The Grassroots conference offers instruction on how to be an effective leader, how to run a successful AIAS chapter and techniques to motivate and organize students. The conference is designed for the chapter presidents. Every chapter is expected to be represented.

The conference offers more than leadership development programs. The attendees will also participate in the governance of the AIAS when they meet as the Council of Presidents (COP). During these meetings, the delegates participate in the governance of the AIAS and are informed on important issues and ideas relevant to students, architectural education and the profession. This discourse sets the future direction for the organization.

For more information, please contact the AIAS at 202.626.7472 (9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET) or mailbox@aias.org.

Registration Fees

• Early: $295/person (form must be received by June 6, 2008)
• Advanced: $325/person (form received June 7 to June 27)
• On-Site: $350/person (form received after June 27). Please notify the AIAS office in advance if you plan to register onsite.

The registration fee includes lodging for three nights in a double/double room, most meals, all of the programs (including admission to the Spotlight on Design lecture at the National Building Museum) and related materials. Travel and all other meals are at the expense of the attendee. Payment may be made either by check (payable to the AIAS) or credit card (MasterCard or Visa only).

Accommodations
As part of your registration fee, you will receive accommodations in the host hotel, the Embassy Suites Washington, located at 1250 22nd Street, NW. The hotel is located in between the historic Georgetown and Dupont Circle neighborhoods and only four blocks from the Metrorail (subway) system and in walking distance to the AIAS office.

All hotel accommodations are same gender, nonsmoking, quad occupancy (double/double, four to a room) unless you specifically request otherwise (additional fees may apply). The office will endeavor to meet all requests for roommates and other special needs. The Embassy Suites offers the special AIAS rate ($178 plus taxes) for a day before and after Grassroots, if you would like to extend your stay in Washington, DC. You may want to do so as there is little time for sight-seeing during the conference. You will need to arrange this with the office in advance. If you have any other special requests, please contact the office.

Financing Your Participation
There are several funding sources you should explore that may support your attendance:

• Chapter Support - Many chapters fund their representatives to attend Grassroots. If not already in your budget and alternative sources of funding do not exist, make sure it is an item included for next year.
• Department Support - Your architecture department might have funds at the end of the fiscal year that they can contribute toward this leadership conference. Many departments already include this expense in their annual budgets.
• University Student Activities - Many campus student governments have funds reserved for leadership training opportunities for their student associations. You need to request funding NOW.
• Local AIA Chapter - This is a good way to partner with your local AIA chapter, or strengthen your ties. The AIAS Grassroots conference is similar to AIA Grassroots, which is something the leaders of your local AIA should be familiar with and understand the benefits of such a conference.
• Local Construction Industry Leaders - Here is an opportunity to create a line of communication outside the architecture industry. Every industry is interested in and is constantly seeking leaders in their own field as well as related fields.