Fall at AIA Baltimore is filled with opportunities to connect with colleagues and friends through celebrations, recognition, learning, and service. Active member participation sustains our year-round events and committees. The upcoming opportunities below offer meaningful ways for firms and professionals at every career stage to get involved.

September 14th: 38th Annual Golf Outing

September 17th: 2026 Maryland Design Awards

September 22nd: COTE — Tour of Inner Harbor Wetlands

Throughout September: AIAMD Early Professional Friendly Firm Designation

AIA Baltimore Chapter firms: Submit your firm for the Maryland EPFF Designation. Showcase how you support emerging professionals, so we can celebrate how our community is developing future leaders.

October 16th: AIA Baltimore Design Awards Celebration

October 24th: Doors Open Baltimore. Registration for guided tours is open, and open houses are free. Sign up to volunteer for a micro-volunteer opportunity!

November 4th: Maryland Future Forward Conference

November 12th: Health and Wellness Showcase

In my previous president’s letter, I revisited our strategic plan and its goals for supporting and engaging AIA Baltimore Chapter members. Our strategic plan centers on four overarching goals:

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Membership Value

Member Experience

Maximizing the Center’s Value

Continuing our exploration of each strategic goal, this month I will focus on Member Experience.

Advancing the Member Experience

• Evaluate programs: Review current offerings from the members’ perspective to determine which should continue. Our board and committee chairs have been evaluating the programs and events over the last two years. An important part of our evaluation includes further outreach to include our membership in this evaluation. This is an ongoing process, and we are continuing to seek our members’ opinions and feedback.
• Strengthen communication: Seek member input to identify and remove barriers to engagement. Ongoing feedback improves future programming, and we are creating more ways for members to participate and to stay informed.
• Expand partnerships: Work with Allied Professionals and design organizations to create more opportunities for engagement. Allied Members are essential to our programs and events. This year our Allied Board members are collaborating with the Board and committees to strengthen connections across our membership.
• Increase volunteer participation: Use coordinated outreach to encourage involvement in events, committees, and board service. We are seeking volunteers for all committees, with opportunities available at varying levels of time commitment.
• Increase engagement: Apply proven engagement practices from AIA chapters nationwide. By attending local and national events—including the Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C.; the AIA Design Conference in San Diego; the Maryland Future Forward Conference; and the Big Sibs Conference—our staff and board gather insights and inspiration from colleagues to strengthen member offerings.

How can you maximize your Member Experience?

1.  Keep your member profile up to date.
2. Join a committee that aligns with your interests.
3. Attend or volunteer at upcoming events
4. Tag AIA Baltimore in your social media accounts so we can share and support our members.

I look forward to the fall events and meeting members at each program. If you would like to start a conversation by phone or Zoom, please contact me.