There is a lack of representation of female keynote speaker on the coming 2017 AIA National Convention this April 27-29. This prompted fifty architectural firms and students to speak out.
Out of the seven keynote speakers for the 2017 AIA National Convention, one will only be led by a woman, but no female architect will handle any topics of the three-day conference. Reacting to the situation, the architectural firms and student reported to Arch Daily, in an open letter stating that a thorough re-evaluation is needed to consider increasing female representations for the conference.
Taking place in Orlando's Orange County Convention Center, comprising keynote speakers are Dan Goods and David Delgado from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, architect Francis Kéré, MASS Design Group co-founder Michael Murphy, graphic designer and Pentagram partner Michael Bierut, and social psychologist Amy Cuddy, 2016 Pritzker Prize winner Alejandro Aravena. This has been carefully chosen by the core organizing group of the 2017 AIA National Convention.
"Every year, the AIA Conference on Architecture attracts thousands of architects and design professionals-a collection of talented and visionary individuals who are dedicated to improving the quality of life for all people in all communities," in a statement by 2017 AIA National Convention President Thomas Vonier.
Aside from the 2017 AIA National Convention issue, this is the second mishap that the group did in the last month. In an article from Architect Newspaper, the American Institute of Architects issued a conciliatory and supportive post-election memo for President Donald Trump. AIA executive vice president and CEO Robert Ivy said, "The AIA and its 89,000 members are committed to working with President-elect Trump to address the issues our country faces, particularly strengthening the nation's aging infrastructure." He added the organization aims to support the Trump administration and work closely with congress in the means of infrastructural development.
Due to the adverse reaction from their members, a series of apology was issued, including a $1 million commitment to boosting diversity within the profession. The 2017 AIA National Convention in April is hoped to embark new beginning in this new era of politics in the US.
