2024 Early Professionals Summit

Welcome to the 2024 Early Professionals Summit - our 6th Annual Conference designed for early career professionals & young architects!

Join us in Historic Downtown Springfield, Illinois - a city steeped in a history that transcends the life of Abraham Lincoln, the hey day of Route 66, and the launch of Barack Obama's Presidential Campaign; and continues today with state politics, unique architecture and a growing food scene.

We'll convene at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum for a weekend filled with inspirational speakers, local tours, and networking with peers state-wide. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and gain valuable insights to push your career to the next level!

Host Venue: Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

Experience history like never before. Step inside key moments in Lincoln's life, from triumph to tragedy. Explore immersive displays and shows that drive home the human costs of slavery and war. Connect with Lincoln and his family through artifacts that can't be found anywhere else in the world. You'll feel like you're walking in Lincoln's shoes.

Hotel Hotel: The President Abraham Lincoln Hotel, a DoubleTree by Hilton

Located in Springfield's Historic Downtown, our Host Hotel is Walking Distance to all items on our agenda and many of Springfield's Sights. AIA Illinois has negotiated a Group Rate of $112/night, stay tuned for a booking link!

Saturday Keynote: Kait TenHarmsel, AIA of The Humanity Share

The Humanity Share did not begin in a boardroom—it was humbly founded on a friendship between two people who knew that, together, they could create something positive. To this day, we maintain our grassroots spirit by “taking what we know and using it for good.”

We work hand in hand with East African communities to break cycles of poverty and build sustainable, equitable futures. We invest in people before solutions, listening to community leaders and working together to creatively and resourcefully address each community’s unique needs and through community-led transformation, we forge deep relationships with local leaders to understand each community's underlying needs and how we can work together to remove barriers to prosperity. Because we know that change is possible, we plan to invest $7,000,000 by 2030.

Sunday Keynote: Coming Soon

Stay Tuned for An Exciting Announcement

Breakout Sessions

With Sessions on a wide array of topics, attendees will have the ability to craft their own schedules at time of Registration. Each Session will be applied for 1 CEU pending AIA approval, with some pending for 1 HSW Credits. A description of Sessions can be found in the Agenda on the top of this page. Regular updates will follow as final confirmations are made!

About AIA Illinois Early Professionals Network

The AIA Illinois EP Network was founded to traverse the geographic barriers of connecting Student, Associate and Young Architect Members throughout the State of Illinois. With a vision to shape and elevate the future of architectural practice, the network champions a new generation of leaders, challenges the status quo, and connects people and ideas.

About AIA Illinois

Established in 1946, AIA Illinois is a state component of the American Institute of Architects. Empowered by our nearly 4,000 members, we champion the profession of architecture in Illinois through advocacy, leadership and outreach.

Want to Partner with Us?

We're always looking for new partners who share our vision of shaping the future of practice by elevating the future of the profession. Interested in sponsoring our event? Interested in speaking at the Summit? Send us an email with a proposed topic at: aiaillinoisep@gmail.com.