Tag: AIA

City of Long Beach Home Improvement Expo – Exhibitors Wanted

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The City of Long Beach is hosting its Home Improvement Expo on May 30 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Whaley Park, and local professionals are invited to take part in this free, community-focused event.

Following the success of last year’s expo, the City is expanding the event and seeking exhibitors to engage with residents on a wide range of home improvement topics—including remodeling, ADUs, flooring, windows and doors, landscape design, smart home technology, and more.

This is a great opportunity for architects and design professionals to connect with the community, share expertise, and help homeowners make informed decisions about their projects. Participation is free, with an emphasis on education and community engagement.

Space is limited, and priority will be given to Long Beach–based participants. If interest exceeds capacity, a lottery system will be used to finalize the exhibitor roster.

👉 Apply for a free exhibitor space by May 1:

exhibit space

To register for the Expo, click here. For questions, please contact Craig Nakano, Community Information Officer/Community Development Department, at craig.nakano@longbeach.gov.

Color Your City: Celebrating Architecture Week

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Architecture is all around us—in the places we gather, the spaces we call home, and the communities we help shape every day. This Architecture Week, AIA Long Beach/South Bay is celebrating the power of design with a project that invites our youngest community members to explore the built environment in a fun and creative way.

We’re proud to introduce our Architecture Coloring Book, a collection of illustrated buildings from across our chapter’s region. From historic landmarks to modern architecture, each page offers an opportunity to learn, imagine, and connect with the places that define our region.

This initiative was made possible through a generous Architecture Week 2026 grant from the American Institute of Architects (AIA). With AIA’s support, we’re able to bring this project to life and share it with families, students, and future designers throughout our community.

Developed by our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee, the coloring book reflects a core belief: design belongs to everyone. By highlighting a range of building types, cultures, and stories, the project encourages young people from all backgrounds to see themselves in architecture and to recognize their role in shaping the future.

We invite you to download a copy, request a printed version, and share your artwork with us in our online gallery. Whether bold and colorful or thoughtfully detailed, each creation is a reminder that creativity starts early—and that the next generation is already imagining what’s possible.

Join us in celebrating Architecture Week and the many ways design connects us.

Learn more here!

Join AIA at a Special California Rate

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If you’ve been thinking about joining AIA—or coming back—there’s never been a better time.

Through a limited-time California offer, new and returning members can access reduced membership rates and join a vibrant community of architects, designers, and allied professionals shaping the future of the built environment.

New AIA California members get a special perk this year: FREE registration to the AIA Conference on Architecture & Design® 2026!

Your free registration gives you full access to:

At AIA Long Beach / South Bay, membership means more than benefits—it’s about connection, advocacy, and growth. From engaging local programs and networking opportunities to continuing education and leadership development, we’re here to support you at every stage of your career.

Member benefits include:

  • Access to AIA CES continuing education and transcript tracking
  • Member pricing for events, programs, and conferences
  • Opportunities to connect with local and statewide design professionals
  • Advocacy on the issues that impact your work and community
  • Resources to support your career, firm, and professional development

For Firm Owners & Leaders

AIA membership is also a strategic investment in your firm. Connect with a trusted network of peers, stay ahead of policy and industry changes, and access resources that support business development, talent retention, and firm growth. Engaging your team with AIA can strengthen professional development, build culture, and reinforce your firm’s commitment to design excellence and leadership in the community.

If you’re a firm leader, consider encouraging your team to take advantage of this offer—or reach out to us to explore ways to support firm-wide engagement.

Whether you’re emerging in your career or leading a firm, AIA provides the tools, community, and support to help you thrive.

👉 Take advantage of the California membership offer and join today:
https://conferenceonarchitecture.com/california/

We look forward to welcoming you to AIA Long Beach / South Bay!

2026 AIA Leadership Summit & Capitol Hill Day

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AIA Long Beach/South Bay was proud to be represented at the 2026 AIA Leadership Summit in Washington, DC by President Casey Chapin, AIA; 2027 President-elect Allie Schieble Harding, AIA; and Executive Director Des Gemigniani.

The annual summit convenes AIA volunteer leaders and executive directors from across the country to strengthen chapter leadership, align around national priorities, and advocate for the architectural profession during Hill Day on Capitol Hill.

Hill Day Advocacy Priorities

During meetings with members of Congress and their staff, our delegation advanced several key federal priorities critical to architects, our clients, and the communities we serve:

  • Design Freedom for Federal Architecture – Supporting policies that protect design excellence, sustainability, and community-responsive public buildings.
  • Opposition to Arbitrary Fee Limitations on Federal Contracts – Ensuring fair and transparent procurement processes that allow architects to deliver high-quality work.
  • Housing Policy Advancement – Strengthening programs such as the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), and Workforce Housing Tax Credit to address the national housing shortage.
  • Community Resiliency & Hazard Mitigation – Supporting FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance, the Resilient AMERICA Act, and The Shelter Act to invest in disaster preparedness and long-term resilience.
  • Tax Incentives for Architects & the Built Environment – Advocating for preservation and enhancement of tools such as the R&D Tax Credit, R&D Expensing, 199A Pass-Through Deduction, 179D Energy-Efficient Commercial Buildings Deduction, and the Historic Tax Credit.

These conversations emphasized the essential role architects play in delivering safe, sustainable, equitable, and economically vibrant communities.

Congressional Offices Visited

Our delegation – which included Niloofar Badihi, AIA, 2027 President-elect of AIA Orange County, met with the offices of:

  • Dave Min, CA-47
  • Mark Takano, CA-39
  • Maxine Waters, CA-43

We are grateful for the time and thoughtful engagement of each office and for their ongoing partnership on issues affecting housing, climate resilience, federal procurement, and economic opportunity throughout Southern California.

Participation in the Leadership Summit reinforces AIA Long Beach/South Bay’s commitment to advocacy at every level — local, state, and federal — ensuring that the voice of architects remains strong in shaping policies that impact our profession and our communities.