AIA Cincinnati had eight members in attendance at AIA Ohio Advocacy Day, including Graham Kalbli, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, Principal at New Republic Architecture who shared his takeaway from the event: “I came away with a renewed purpose to be a better advocate for our profession at large, and for what we do locally for our built environment. It was excellent exposure to how things work (or don’t work) in state government, and it fully reinforced my beliefs that if we don’t get involved, we get the government we deserve.”

As the Ohio SFx enters its second year, we are continuing our morning Coffee Chats and mixing things up a little. Get to know our schedule for even and odd months, and upcoming dates. There will still be time for introductions at the beginning, and lots of time for follow up questions and discussion. We hope to see you there.

2023 has been a building year for AIA Cincinnati. We’ve put a spotlight on issues you care about like advocacy and community presence, hosted joint programs among committees and through community partnerships, published a series of interviews with our women members, launched the COTE committee, coordinated several sold out tours, celebrated great design at our awards programs, and had fun at annual events like our golf scramble and clay shooting outings. We hope you’ll join us at 2024 programs!

The committees we have, the programs we offer, the leadership opportunities and ability to grow or leverage your subject matter expertise are all in your hands. How can we work with you to position our profession and your career? In case you weren’t sure of all that we are up to – here are some recent ways we helped members expand their horizons.

This month, we are celebrating women in architecture. Learn from Sarah Kleiner, Co-Chair of our AIA Cincinnati Women in Architecture Committee, who attended the sold-out AIA Women’s Leadership Summit. Plus, explore opportunities to get to know women architects in our chapter.

It's been an exciting two days of workshops, networking, and learning. We kicked off the convention with drinks, dinner, networking and the AIA Ohio design awards. Continuing Education sessions were held in various locations around downtown Columbus and provided attendees with a variety of venues to experience.

This month, we are celebrating a demographic which reflects the future of our chapter. AIA Ohio and AIA Cincinnati have combined these into one group – Early Professionals. Whether you are an EP or know one, learn how you can get involved in supporting the future of the profession.

Maybe you have found yourself immersed in the business of getting a project built, the logistics of operating a firm, or absorbing the impacts of new technologies. This month, I want to remind you to come back to your WHY. What we do as architects is so powerful. If space feels like something—why shouldn’t it feel good. Plus check out upcoming events to help keep you inspired and aware of research and strategies.

We continued to spotlight advocacy, sustainability and EDI this month at AIA Cincinnati. A’23 was a lot to take in, check out the key takeaways. Plus, learn about the AIA Cincinnati Liaison program and upcoming events.

This past month has been a busy one! AIA Cincinnati has continued to have opportunities to get your priorities in front of our elected officials at City Council and the Ohio Statehouse. Check out upcoming programs and register to join us.

We cannot count on “the way we always did it” and fall back on the status quo any longer. We see impacts in the arena of health and wellbeing based on the latest IPCC Climate report. We see the increasing value placed on workplace diversity and the unique impact it has on the way we do business. We see the value placed on being advocates at every scale, from our neighborhoods to communities and even nation. Please send me your comments or suggestions so I can represent your interests.

I always say that if you don’t like the way things are, work to change them. I encourage you to think about how you can play a more active role as an advocate for good design. Get involved in what’s going on in your municipality. Volunteer for boards or commissions where an architect’s point of view is needed. Contact me with issues you would like AIA National to have as a focus for 2024 and beyond.

I am excited and honored to serve as the 2023 President of AIA Cincinnati. It’s going to be a great year to focus on making your AIA membership one of your most valuable resources. I hope you will take advantage of the variety of events and opportunities to make a difference in our community. - Angela Mazzi, FAIA, FACHA, EDAC

NEW IN 2023: The Early Professionals committee seeks to support early professionals in achieving licensure, securing gainful, and meaningful employment, and fostering community. Whether you are working on licensure, are a recently registered architect, or are looking to give back to the next generation, we would love to have you involved!

Join us for the first in person chapter gathering and election since before the pandemic! Meet our new Fellows, welcome new members, and elect your 2023 Board of Directors.

Architecture is a highly legislated profession, find out what the Local Advocacy Working Group and AIA Ohio have been up to advocating for you and the profession.