Opening Doors: Expanding Awareness Through Strategic Connection

Written by Erin Curley, AIA , AIAT Board Member and Chair, Open Doors Committee

Erin Curley, AIA, and Bridget Perino, AIA, at the ECDI Resource Fair.

The Open Doors Initiative launched in 2024 with support from an AIA Toledo grant, with a clear and ambitious mission:  to elevate public understanding of the true value architects bring.  From the outset, the committee recognized that reaching entrepreneurs and small business owners required a more strategic approach. Rather than speaking directly to clients, Open Doors adopted a train the trainer model, focusing on the organizations that businesses turn to first for guidance. 

Groups such as ECDI, LISC, SBDC, MBAC and the Toledo Lucas County Library Small Business Center are often the first stop for individuals seeking to start or grow a business. By educating these resource partners about when and how architects add value, this knowledge can reach clients earlier in their decision-making process. This approach helps prevent the all too common scenario where an architect is brought in after a lease is signed or a property is purchased, only to discover that the space is not suitable or that significant work is required to meet code and compliance. 

Through this work, Open Doors has positioned AIA Toledo as an active participant in the broader business support ecosystem. This has led to meaningful involvement in the BEAT (Business Empowerment Alliance of Toledo), a collaborative network of organizations dedicated to supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs. By having a seat at this table, AIA Toledo is no longer operating at the periphery of the business development process but contributing directly to the resources and conversations shaping how entrepreneurs access support. This is evident by the conversations our committee members have had to help implement meaningful change, such as updated guidelines for the City of Toledo Façade and Whitebox Planning Grants, the Welcome TLC Entrepreneur Toolkit published by Lucas County, and the BEAT entrepreneur roadmap.  All resources handed to entrepreneurs early in the process.

Alongside Open Doors Committee members Erin Curley, AIA, Bridget Perino, AIA, Heather Judge, AIA, Steve Shrake, AIA, and Audie Bates, AIA Emeritus, AIA Toledo is helping ensure that architecture is integrated into the guidance provided across this network. This involvement also strengthens our own tools, including ongoing improvements to AIA Toledo’s Request for Proposals process, making it easier for potential clients to connect with architects and for members to respond efficiently to the projects that they are interested in.

A recent example of this progress was AIA Toledo’s participation in the ECDI Resource Fair on May 6, 2026, which drew more than 240 attendees. The event provided a valuable opportunity to engage directly with members of the public, including entrepreneurs and small business owners at various stages of development. By participating as part of the BEAT network, AIA Toledo was positioned among trusted resource providers, reinforcing our role as an accessible and relevant partner.

Conversations throughout the event highlighted a consistent need for early guidance in selecting and evaluating commercial spaces. The message shared was simple and direct: if you are considering leasing or purchasing a commercial space, speak with an architect before making that commitment. Opportunities like this allow AIA Toledo to share that message in person, answer questions in real time, and build awareness in a way that is both practical and impactful.

Through continued outreach and collaboration, Open Doors is helping ensure that architects are part of the conversation earlier, where their impact can be most meaningful, while strengthening AIA Toledo’s role within the larger business community.

The Open Doors committee is actively advancing this work by developing a guidebook tailored specifically to the architectural profession, designed to be shared across the broader business support ecosystem.  We are also partnering with the Ohio Small Firm Exchange (SFx) to expand our reach and connect with architects statewide facing many of the same challenges.  By strengthening these connections and maintaining a visible presence in these spaces, we are keeping the conversation moving forward and that, in itself, is half the battle.