For two and half days, 500+ architects and design industry professionals from across the state converge for our annual thought-leadership conference and expo filled with educational sessions and networking. The conference will be held Nov. 4-6, 2026, in Richmond at the Richmond Marriott. Our goal is to bring together the brightest minds and most engaging speakers to present talks that are future-focused on a wide range of subjects, to provoke important conversations among design professionals, and to promote networking, relationship building, and collaboration.
This year’s theme is: Threshold.
Architecture stands at a threshold. Firms face an unprecedented transfer of ownership and leadership. Cities hope to transform aging infrastructure into a resilient future. Shifts in business, culture, and technology reshape how we design, collaborate, and deliver projects. Architects expand beyond traditional practice – into entrepreneurship, urban planning, civic leadership, and new territory.
ArchEx 2026 will explore how we navigate these transitions: preserving wisdom while embracing change, maintaining our core focus while expanding our impact, and honoring the past while building what comes next.
Celebrating its 39th year, ArchEx has always strived to help push the profession forward. We are looking for exciting and engaging topics and speakers to make this year unforgettable.
We value sessions that encourage conversation, connections, and collaborative learning. Think workshops, roundtables, tours, and interactive panels. Many of our session slots will be 60 minutes, but we can consider reserving longer time slots for more in-depth explorations.
To propose an offering, complete and submit the Presentation Proposal Form by April 30, 2026. Your proposal will be reviewed, and you will be contacted no later than June 2026. Incomplete forms will not be accepted.
Requirements
- Submit a completed proposal form online
- Proposals must be received by the deadline date.
- Expert speakers with public speaking experience are preferred
- Presentation content must be sufficient for the proposed length of the session
Deadline is 11:59 p.m., April 30, 2026
Decision Process
All proposals are evaluated by AIA Virginia’s Education Advisory Council to ensure they address the educational needs of the audience and that the program is well-balanced. The submission review process will begin in May and will continue until the end of June.
If you would like to be a part of the Education Advisory Council and help shape the ArchEx program, please contact Delaney Ogden at dogden@aiava.org.
Suggestions and Questions
Suggestions for potential speakers or questions about the conference can be directed to Delaney Ogden, Director of Education at dogden@aiava.org.
We want to hear from practitioners navigating these thresholds:
- Leadership Transitions – Succession planning, generational collaboration, knowledge transfer
- Practice Reinvention – New business models, emerging technology, human-centered growth
- Reuse & Resilience – Adaptive reuse, circular economy, climate resilience, regenerative futures
- Cultural Continuity – Balancing tradition with innovation, heritage with growth
- Expanding Impact – Beyond buildings: urbanism, civic leadership, policy influence, new frontiers.
- Tours/Experiences — Projects of interest, in progress or recently completed, restoration, redevelopment, urban planning, art installations, artist studios, creatives, historical architecture, etc.
Join us at the threshold – where uncertainty meets possibility, and our next chapter begins!
We encourage interactive presentations (panel discussion, live Q&A/audience participation, slide show/visual presentation etc.) and those that qualify for HSW credit. We encourage presentations to tie to this year’s theme of – Threshold.
