Exploring Opportunity and Inspiration at the AIA Ohio Conference
Written by Bradley Butler, Associate AIA
Last month, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the 2025 AIA Ohio Conference & Awards in Columbus, Ohio. This experience was graciously made possible by the AIA Toledo Chapter, and as a recent graduate and member of the Young & Emerging Professionals, it marked my very first AIA conference.
The first day began with AIA LUs & Brews, an engaging event where I met numerous professionals from across AIA Ohio. I was also able to reconnect with a few of my professors from BGSU who helped me get to where I am today. LUs & Brews offered a unique way to learn about emerging technology while gaining new resources to use with my own projects. All while enjoying the opportunity to network, helped along by a few of those drink tickets.
During the Awards Ceremony, we had the privilege of hearing from Carol Ross Barney, FAIA, the “People’s Architect” and recipient of the 2023 AIA Gold Medal. Her presentation offered a deep dive into several of her projects throughout Chicago and Oklahoma. The ceremony also showcased a range of exceptional projects recognized by AIA Ohio this year. One particularly proud moment was seeing PMBA Architects, the firm where I work, receive the People’s Choice Award for our Wellness Park Campus Project.
PMBA Architects & members of the Blanchard Valley Health System who helped bring the Wellness Park Campus to life.
On the second day of the conference, attendees could choose between attending educational sessions or joining hard-hat tours. I decided to participate in three hard-hat tours and attend one educational session. All three tours explored different disciplines, from luxury apartments at One Peninsula, to the vibrant Dorrian Green Park adjacent to the National Veterans Memorial & Museum, and finally, visits to two innovative design studios, WSA Studio and Meyer + Associates. These tours were a great insight into different disciplines, getting to hear from the designers themselves and how these projects became reality. Meanwhile, the educational session emphasized how integrating interior designers early in the process can result in more cohesive and effective architectural outcomes.
This entire experience not only opened my eyes to new possibilities but also reignited the passion that first drew me to architecture. This conference was a great way to see all the important work architects do for the community while exploring how integration across disciplines, communities, and systems shapes the built environment.
Again, thank you to the AIA Toledo Chapter for this incredible experience. It was exhilarating to be part of, and I encourage more young professionals to attend next year’s AIA Ohio Conference.
AIA Toledo members at Conference: Jacob Miley, Robert Siebenaller, Bradley Butler, Heather Judge, Isabel Souza, Yong Huang, and Erin Curley