2025 AIA Arizona Associates Gathering

On Friday, April 25, Associate members of AIA Arizona will be gathering for an afternoon of programming and conversation that will explore resilience within the architecture & design profession.

This is the annual event that is planned and produced by and for Associate members—emerging professionals who are on the path to licensure. Attendees will learn from excellent speakers, and will be able to connect with each other. Planning for the event is being led by Sara Ghaemi, Assoc. AIA, of BWS, and the AIA Arizona Associates Committee. Associates will gather at the AIA Arizona office in Phoenix.

Confirmed speakers include Juan Rovalo, the first firmwide ecologist at Perkins&Will; Sidney Smith, AIA, Partner at HKS, Inc.; as well as Jonathan Peiffer, AIA, and Sarah Potzler, AIA, who will describe the paths to licensure in Arizona.

The afternoon will begin with insightful presentations at the AIA Arizona office, and will conclude with a fun tour and reception at the Abbey, recently renovated by Jones Studio.

Schedule (subject to change):

• 12:30 pm-1:00 pm – Check in (light snacks available, lunch will not be provided)
• 1:00 pm – Event introduction
• 1:15 pm – Featured Speaker: Juan Rovalo, Director of Ecology at Perkins&Will in Seattle
• 2:00 pm – Featured Speaker: Sidney Smith, AIA, Partner at HKS, Inc. in Phoenix
• 2:45 pm – BREAK
• 3:15 pm – Jonathan Peiffer, AIA, Project Architect at Sketch Architecture and Sarah Potzler, AIA, Senior Architect at Shepley Bulfinch, will lead a presentation about the path to licensure.
• 4:00 pm – Preview of the Abbey with Maria Salenger, AIA, Senior Associate at Jones Studio in Phoenix
• 4:15 pm – Walk to the Abbey
• 4:30 pm – The Abbey Tour
• 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm – Closing Reception at the Abbey

Fees to attend the 2025 Associates Gathering:

• $18 – AIA Associate
• $35 – AIA Architect or Allied
• $10 – Student
• $45 – Non-member professional