Attending A’18?

Conference news
, by Chris Gribbs, Assoc. AIA

Here’s everything you need to know

Here’s the info you need, all in one place, to have the best conference experience. Read it, save it, and contact us if you have any questions.

Finalize your schedule

This one is important, because seats and sessions are selling out quickly. If you haven’t registered for all the sessions you’d like to attend, now is the time to do it.

If you’ve already registered for all your sessions, take one last look at your schedule and make sure it’s complete.

Be sure to check out ArchiTalks, hard-hitting sessions that push the boundaries and discuss unconventional solutions to create real change. And the Pro Series, four brilliant sessions featuring keynoters, award winners, and more. (Both are free with registration.)

The A’18 app

Use this app for everything: Update your schedule, register for sessions, watch the keynote simulcast, connect with attendees, explore conference locations, and find info to help you get around. Available on Google Play or Apple iTunes.

Registration locations

There are three registration locations this year, making it even more convenient for you to pick up your registration materials. Note: If you’re attending the keynotes at Radio City Music Hall, you must pick up your official Radio City Music Hall tickets at the Javits Center or the New York Hilton Midtown. Your conference badge will not gain you entry to Radio City Music Hall—you must have tickets.

Here are all three locations and what you can do at each one.

Javits Center
North Concourse, W 35th St. & 11th Ave.
At this location, you can do everything: Print your conference badge, pick up Radio City Music Hall tickets, and pick up any MetroCards you pre-ordered.

New York Hilton Midtown
1335 6th Ave., second floor
At this location, you can do everything: Print your conference badge, pick up Radio City Music Hall tickets, and pick up any MetroCards you pre-ordered.

The New School
63 5th Ave.
At this location, you can only print your conference badge. You cannot pick up Radio City Music Hall tickets or your MetroCard at this location.

Have a Platinum Pass? We’ll deliver everything you need to your room at the Sheraton Times Square. Or, if you’re Platinum and staying elsewhere, pick up your materials at registration area at the Javits Center or the New York Hilton Midtown (see specifics above).

Conference venues

We’re hosting core sessions and events at curated venues centrally located around the city, making it easy for you to walk, bike, or take the subway between locations. However, make sure you leave enough time to travel between conference locations. Read this blog post for tips on getting around; there’s also info in the ‘Getting around’ section in the A’18 app.

Shuttles

Although there is no hotel shuttle this year, you can still catch a ride to and from the Architecture Expo at the Javits Center and education sessions at the Hilton Midtown and The New School. Shuttles will depart every 10–15 minutes, depending on traffic (which is unpredictable).

Thursday & Friday, 6am–12:30pm

  • Javits Center, North Concourse
  • Hilton Midtown, W 54th St. & 6th Ave.
  • The New School, 5th Ave. and E 13th St.

Saturday, 6am–5pm

  • Hilton Midtown
  • The New School
  • Please note: The Javits Center is closed on Saturday

Don’t forget your badge—you’ll need it to ride the shuttle. Remember, traffic in New York City is unpredictable! Please plan enough time to travel between locations.

Seminar seating: How it works

If you’re registered for a seminar, show up to the classroom 15 minutes before the seminar starts and scan your badge to claim your seat. Feeling spontaneous? Come to the classroom entrance or tour departure desk 10 minutes before the event begins—we’ll release any unclaimed seats on a first-come, first-seated basis. Please note: If you didn’t register for a session, you may not be able to get in. No wait lists; no holding seats for late arrivals.

Information desks

Questions? Stop by an information desk.

Javits Center, Crystal Palace (Level 3)
W 35th St. & 11th Ave.

Hours:
Tuesday, noon–5 pm
Wednesday, 6:30 am–5:30 pm
Thursday and Friday, 6 am–6 pm

Hilton Midtown
1335 6th Ave.

Hours:
Wednesday, 11 am–5 pm
Thursday and Friday, 6 am–5 pm
Saturday, 6 am–4 pm

Keynotes

Tickets to see the keynotes at Radio City Music Hall are sold out, but you can watch the live stream through the A’18 app or at the Javits Center, Level 1, Special Events Hall. Be sure to register to reserve your seat and earn CE credit. Find out more, here.

We can’t mention this too many times. If you’re attending the keynotes at Radio City Music Hall, you’ll need official Radio City Music Hall tickets to attend (not your conference badge). Pick up your official Radio City Music Hall tickets in the registration area at the Javits Center or the New York Hilton. Please don’t lose your tickets! Unfortunately, we are unable to replace lost tickets.

Blueprint for Better Cities

This year’s theme permeates the conference experience, offering actionable insights you can use to make a difference in areas including diversity, equity, and inclusion; materials; energy and carbon; resilience; and design and health. Here are a few hot spots on the Blueprint map:

  • Check out the mini magazine in your conference bag for inspiration from leaders like Inga Saffron—and stop by the AIA + ARCHITECT Booth, #1739, to take in some of those authors’ hosted A+ Sessions.
  • The Show Features on Level 3, Booth 2438 at the Javits Center demonstrate these themes in action: Designing a New Future, an exhibit celebrating champions of social issues; DesignWork, for zero-waste fashion and interiors; and How It’s Made, a hands-on look at materials innovation.
  • Keynotes, seminars, and conference programming will showcase how some of the most creative architects and firms are creating their own blueprint and making a difference in cities all over the world.

Book signings

Don’t miss these appearances at the AIA Store, located at the Javits Center, Crystal Palace, Level 3.

Thursday, June 21
Marlon Blackwell, 10–10:45am
James Stewart Polshek, FAIA, 12:30–1:30 pm
Sharon E. Sutton, 1:30–2 pm

Friday, June 22
Sarah Williams Goldhagen, 11:30am–12:15pm
Sir David Adjaye, 12:30–1:30 pm

Parties & receptions

Tickets are still available for several parties and events (see what’s available here). Get your ticket before they’re completely sold out! At the event, use your conference badge to get in. If your event includes drink tickets, you’ll get them at the door.

This year, there are three musical guests appearing at The Party!, conference’s biggest party. Doors open at 8pm. Here’s the performance schedule:

En Vogue: 9–10pm; entrance-level Hammerstein Ballroom
The New Millennials: 8:30–10pm; 7th floor Grand Ballroom
(DJ) LUV: 8–8:30pm and 10–11pm; entrance-level Hammerstein Ballroom

The Architecture Expo at the Javits Center

Experience more than 800 brands, 135 courses, seven specialty pavilions, and deep dives on dozens of areas, from sustainable textiles to building the new workspace—plus happy hours at pop-up bars. Check out some of the highlights, here.

Don’t miss the AIA + ARCHITECT Booth, #1739 on the expo floor. It’s your opportunity to hear 14 hours of live programming, in partnership with ARCHITECT Magazine. You’ll hear authoritative interviews, panels, and inspiring short talks by award winners, architecture critics, and more. Check the app or the conference program for the full schedule—just search for A+ Sessions. There’s also a gallery of award-winning projects, and an AIA member-only reception on Thursday from 2–4pm, where you can mingle with your peers and AIA national staff.

Expo hours are Thursday and Friday, 10am–6pm, at the Javits Center, W 35th St. & 11th Ave. The expo closes Friday evening.

Javits Center amenities

Take advantage of these amenities at the Javits Center.

  • Free Wi-Fi in all public spaces, classrooms, and the expo floor
  • A seven-acre green roof with 17 bird species
  • A comfortable, private Mother’s Room, open the same hours as the Expo; Ask for access at the Information Desk

Film screenings

Documentaries ripped from the headlines—such as an inside look at Puerto Rico resiliency efforts—star at the Architecture & Design Film Festival. Screenings will be at Cinepolis Chelsea, 260 W. 23rd St. See the schedule, here.

Exhibits at The Center for Architecture/AIA New York

These intriguing exhibits will be on display at The Center for Architecture during A’18:

  • James Stewart Polshek explores the life and work of the 2018 AIA Gold Medal winner, including his unwavering commitment to activism, social responsibility, and environmental stewardship.
  • Explore the work of five innovative young firms actively engaging with their cities. New Practices New York 2018 presents winners of AIANY’s 2018 New Practices New York competition.
  • Browse the best of the 2018 AIANY Design Awards, which features winning projects in the categories of Best in Competition, Architecture, Interiors, Projects, and Urban Design.
  • Designing Waste: Strategies for a Zero Waste City brings one the city’s biggest goals to life, highlighting the roles architects, designers, and building professionals can play in eliminating landfill waste by 2030.

Conference hashtag! Snapchat filters!

If you’re posting in social channels or taking pictures or videos, be sure to add the conference hashtag, #A18CON.

Use our official Snapchat Filter on your A’18 photos and videos. Take a photo or video, then swipe right or left to access the filter. Apply the filter, then add your content to your Snapchat Story. (Make sure you allow Snapchat to access your location, so the app shows up when you swipe.)

Get a jump on next year

A’19 takes place June 6–8 in Las Vegas. Visit the AIA Housing desk, located in the registration area at the Javits Center to book your hotel for next year.

We’ll see you there!