Things You Can and Cannot Yet See

Much is happening at AIA Virginia.

Several activities are cycling through each of the local chapters. These include firm visits, seminars addressing the recent changes to the building code, and town halls with state-level leaders and resources. We’ve enjoyed seeing you there and look forward to encountering those who attend the remaining events.

We are also making progress on various items that will surface later.

The Honors Committee, the Design Awards jury, and the Nominations Committee have all been busy.

We are finalizing the plans and logistics for ArchEx and Visions for Architecture (6-8 November in Richmond).

We are formulating a new development program for mid-career professionals.

We are increasing the value and impact of our communications.

We are engaged in the due diligence required to establish and prioritize the planks of our advocacy platform.

We are replenishing the Political Action Committee (PAC) war chest.

And we are preparing for the launch of our newly established 501c3 charitable organization, the AIA Virginia Foundation.

Stay tuned for additional announcements and opportunities to engage. We anticipate great things. And we look forward to our future collaborations and achievements.

Paul Battaglia, AIA
EVP, AIA Virginia

A Quick Trip Through the Annual Conference

There is “good trouble”, and there is also “good tired”.

Good tired is how I felt right after AIA24.  Like all substantial events, I enjoyed both the content and the connections.  I enjoyed the stimulus of the sessions and the keynotes. I enjoyed the technology and the innovation of the expo. I enjoyed a great number of social events – including the tremendously pleasant AIA Virginia reception at VMDO|DC (Thank you to VMDO for hosting us and to all of you who made it out). And I enjoyed the journeys between those intentional destinations, which were pleasantly punctuated by opportunistic encounters with friends, fellow members, and former colleagues, classmates, and students. (I’ve enjoyed how the lines between those categories have blurred over the years.)

The fatigue has subsided – or at least it is now attributable to other causes. Satisfaction and gratitude remain. There are a lot of great people in our organization. My confidence in our colleagues and our members has been refreshed. There are challenges to be faced. (We even recognize some of them.) But I am convinced that we will overcome those challenges – together; and I know that there is, and will continue to be, much to celebrate along the way.

We are left to look forward to Boston. And I hope to see you several times in and around our own Commonwealth between now and then.

Back at it! We’ll rest when we’re dead. Be well.

Paul Battaglia, AIA
Executive Vice President

Rolling Into the New Year

The calendar year is rolling. It’s February already! And this is a short month!

I have been willingly whisked into the winds of advocacy. The Joint Legislative Committee (JLC) convenes weekly to confer on the bills and confirm (or adjust) our positions. I am spending lots of quality time at the General Assembly monitoring bills – nothing too concerning so far – and connecting with Senators and Delegates to communicate our interests and concerns.

The month will conclude with a trip to the “Big Hill” in DC to address issues at the federal level during the annual AIA Leadership Summit.

Speaking of leadership summits… the new year presents an important opportunity to (re)consider aspirations, objectives, and priorities. I am grateful to those who participated in seizing two of those opportunities recently.

Delegations from each of the components in Virginia – the five locals and the state – participated in a Leadership Summit on Wednesday 17 January 2024 in Richmond. We had a very candid and collegial discussion about how and where we can collaborate, and complement each other’s efforts; and, no less importantly, how we can avoid or reduce competition and conflict.  That was a tremendously beneficial meeting. We are committed to continuing those conversations and cooperating more effectively.

The directors of AIA Virginia convened during a Board Retreat at the Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg on Friday and Saturday 26 and 27 January 2024.  We established our priorities for the coming year(s) in consideration of what each member of the board has to offer, and how they want to grow and develop. We learned a lot from, and about, each other.

I am grateful for and encouraged and inspired by, all those who lead so well. I look forward to what we discover and accomplish together.

Paul Battaglia, AIA
EVP, AIA Virginia

A different rhythm for ArchEx 2023 – Visions is on Thursday this year

Registration is now open for ArchEx 2023. I certainly hope you have reserved the dates of Wednesday 1 November to Friday 3 November and that you remain alert for our forthcoming announcement that the site is open for registration.

And while you are gearing up to plan your itinerary more precisely, please be aware of some important changes at this year’s conference. The event will open mid-morning Wednesday with plenary sessions including the “Kick Off and Keynote(s)” and will continue with our Annual Membership Meeting, sessions, tours, and workshops.

Thursday will begin with Coffee Conversations and Round Tables followed by the lunchtime Expo, afternoon sessions, and the Connections Happy Hour in the Exhibit Hall. Visions, our annual Honor and Awards gala, will be hosted at the Hippodrome on Thursday evening.

There will be more sessions and workshops on Friday morning before the majority of the program draws to a close around lunchtime.

We look forward to having you join us to connect across the Commonwealth, compare perspectives, and celebrate the achievements of our members, our colleagues, and our organization. I look forward to seeing you there.

Paul Battaglia, AIA
Executive Vice President
AIA Virginia

Exploring Ideas and Connections

The Art of Practice was held late last month in Charlottesville. Thank you to Sonya Ravindranath Waddell (Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond), Matt Laird (Atlantic Union Bank), and Joseph Cooch (Lee|Shoemaker) for the intriguing presentations. Thank you to Stephen Halsey (Moseley Architects), Jeanne LeFever (Glave & Holmes Architecture), and Charles Piper (Quinn Evans) for a thoughtful and candid panel discussion. Thank you to Maggie Schubert (Chestnut Knoll Studio), Andrew McKinley (VIA design), and Charles Piper (Quinn Evans) for moderating the firm-size roundtables. Thank you to our sponsors: Bamforth, Gropen, Keith Fabry, Lee|Shoemaker PLLC, McGriff Insurance, Moseley Architects, and O’Hagan Meyer PLLC. Thank you to Common House for providing an enjoyable and intimate venue. And thank you to those who attended and engaged. View a photo gallery here>>

As an organization, we continuously strive to provide rich experiences, programs, and events with relevant and engaging content, and opportunities to connect as peers and colleagues. To explore ideas, exchange perspectives, and (re)consider our positions.

We rely on your feedback and suggestions. If you have a suggestion for an event or a program, please reach out to me at pbattaglia@aiava.org. We welcome any and all comments, criticisms, and recommendations. And we look forward to seeing you soon.

Paul Battaglia, AIA
Executive Vice President
AIA Virginia

Here We Go. Together.

Like many of you, I spent some time recently “planning” for the coming year – considering what I need to start doing, what I need to keep doing (albeit more effectively), and what (for various reasons) I need to stop doing.

In my particular case, these reflections coincide with having recently assumed a new role as EVP of the organization. This is an opportunity that I take seriously, for which I am grateful, and that I meet with a mixture of humility, optimism, and enthusiasm.

Paul Battaglia, AIA

The perspective afforded by this new role has not only confirmed but also quickened my appreciation for:

  • the professionalism, diligence, and dedication of the staff team
  • the volunteerism, passion, and stewardship of the leadership
  • the skills, talent, and collegiality of the membership
  • the contributions and collaborative spirit of our allies and strategic partners

I am increasingly grateful for and inspired by the impact of our profession, our organization, our members, and our leaders – both past and present. The legacy of our organization provides a substantial source of confidence. There is much of which we can be justifiably proud. There is also much yet to be done (i.e., realizing the potential and the promise of our current strategic plan).

I have been enjoying getting to work and joining in and finding my way. I have even been enjoying getting or staying, out of the way.

I relish the opportunity to participate in and further our collaborative efforts. And I anticipate our collective satisfaction as we fructify the opportunities and challenges that lie before us: some of which we are pursuing intentionally, many of which have yet to reveal themselves.

As befits your particular circumstances, and on behalf of the organization, our members, and myself:

  • I thank you for your contributions and support
  • I encourage you to sustain, or (re)commence your engagement
  • I ask that you remain vigilant in recognizing potential allies
  • and that you invite and encourage them to join and remain with us

I wish you, each of yours, and all of us, nothing but the very best for the new year.

Here we go! Together!

Paul Battaglia, AIA
Executive Vice President
AIA Virginia