Be more effective by staying informed of the latest events, trends, and issues in the design profession through our communications, website, event calendars, and social media connections.

You will receive multiple publications, free of charge, as a benefit of membership including:

PILLARS
CONNECT
UPDATE
Inform Magazine
AIA Virginia Member News
ARCHITECT – The Journal of the AIA
AIA Architect

AIA Northern Virginia offers you numerous networking opportunities throughout the year, helping you connect and collaborate with your colleagues and your community.

Events include our Spring and Autumn Socials; happy hours; mentoring events; firm, construction and building tours; plus our premiere event, our Design Awards Gala. We encourage members to participate in Chapter committees to discuss and collaborate on topics of common interest, plan events, get to know fellow members plus enhance & exhibit leadership skills.

AIA NoVA offers opportunities to connect with the design community as responsible citizens and to demonstrate the value of architects and design to the public. AIA Northern Virginia organizes several outreach programs including Architecture Month, our annual Canstruction® competition, Architecture Lab, Architecture in the Schools, and numerous programs with local architecture schools.

AIA Knowledge Communities (KCs) are your opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals to learn, collaborate and share ideas in areas of professional interest. KCs help to increase understanding of a specific area of the profession, from sustainable design to technology in practice. Join AIA KCs to connect with other professionals whose interests intersect with yours. There are 25 different KCs to choose from.

Having AIA as a credential after your name presents a recognizable symbol of your professional standing to your clients and colleagues. Your membership can also help increase the visibility of your practice and drive new business to your firm through collaboration with fellow members and marketing opportunities provided by the AIA. You will be kept informed of the latest professional and business news and trends allowing you to be better equipped to make astute business decisions.

Business Development:

• Free access to the AIA Northern Virginia online referral service where potential clients can search for local architects by areas of specialization
• Notification of competitions and design awards
• Firm and individual recognition by local, state and national design awards and honors programs

Career Development:

• Help finding professional and internship opportunities to advance your career
• Resume library and employment opportunity information
• AIA Northern Virginia’s Small Firm Roundtable, Young Architects Forum and Women in Architecture Committee
• Salary Calculator
• AIA Career Center
• Networking opportunities
• Mentoring

Practice Tools:

• Up-to-date practice information from local, state and national publications and websites
• Economic information, like the Architecture Billings Index and the AIA Compensation Report
• Business information like the AIA Firm Survey, AIA Home Trends Survey and the AIA Foresight Report
• Discounts on AIA Contract Documents
• Discounts on industry publications, such as the Handbook of Professional Practice, and much more through the AIA Store
• AIA Trust services, including risk management, insurance, financial programs, and legal information
• Free job postings on AIA Northern Virginia’s online job board
• Access to the Chapter’s resume file

The AIA represents its members before Congress and with federal agencies to help shape the issues that determine how our members practice and the business climate in which they operate. Members working with the National AIA Advocacy Team develop a legislative agenda that calls on Congress and the Administration to pursue policies that will stimulate work for architects. The AIA continually works to educate the public about the value of architects and the profession's role in the building industry.

AIA Virginia represents architects at the state legislature and regulatory agencies. You are kept informed about concerns and decisions within the Commonwealth that affect your professional practice, while AIA Northern Virginia reviews issues that affect your practice and business locally. The Chapter also strives to elevate the public’s exposure to and appreciation of architecture and design through public outreach programs like Architecture Week and our Canstruction® competition.