Attending A’22?

Conference news
, by Dawn Scarola

Here’s everything you need to know!

The information you need, all in one place, to have the best conference experience. Read it, save it, and contact us if you have any questions.

Before arriving in Chicago

Complete the COVID-19 verification process

Save time on-site by getting verified now through the HIPAA-compliant service CrowdPass. Verification can take up to 12 hours during busy times and affects when you can pick up your conference badge. You can upload proof of vaccination now or a negative test result beginning June 21 at 9am CT.

Follow the step-by-step instructions on our COVID-19 policy for A’22 attendees page, which also includes details about the Health Attestation form you’ll sign on-site and an FAQ.

There is an on-site verification option. Please allow additional time for this option and review the COVID-19 policy for A’22 attendees page for more info.

All attendees must complete the verification process before picking up their conference badges.

Pack a reusable water bottle, comfortable shoes, & layers

Daytime high temperatures in Chicago will top out in the mid-80s during conference. Please dress for the weather and stay hydrated! Water coolers are conveniently located all over McCormick Place for easy refills.

Although many sessions will be hosted inside McCormick Place, in air conditioning, some tours and other events will be hosted outside. We can’t say this enough: Stay hydrated! You’ll also be doing a lot of walking, so wear comfortable shoes and sunblock.

If you’re taking a tour, please bring a hat, sunscreen, and close-toed shoes.

Convention centers tend to be well air-conditioned. Pack layers so you’re not too cold in classrooms or walking the expo floor.

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 a final look at your schedule and ensure it’s complete. You can do this by logging in to your registration record and/or reviewing the badge preview email sent on Friday, June 17.

If you haven’t registered for an Open Studio, consider adding one to your schedule (registration required). Several dozen local firms are opening their doors for exclusive, one-night-only access to staff, space, and projects. These are also selling out, so act quickly.

Download the A’22 app

New this year—the A’22 app lets you schedule one-on-one appointments with exhibitors, many of whom are bringing their technical experts. Download the app, log in using your registration id and email address, then create your “A’22 My Show Planner” account to get started.

After creating your account, you’ll see your entire schedule—all seminars, events, tours, open studios, and other sessions for which you’ve registered. You’ll also be able to schedule appointments with exhibitors and their technical experts (as mentioned above), as well as save favorite sessions and exhibitors and add your own notes.

Download via Google Play and the Apple App Store.

Shuttles & public transportation

hotel shuttle schedule

A complimentary shuttle service will operate between McCormick Place and Aʼ22 hotels at approximately 15- to 30-minute intervals. Don’t forget your badge because you’ll need it to ride the shuttle.

For ADA shuttles, please call or text (726) 777 5998 at least 30 minutes in advance. Please note: This number is active only during shuttle service hours

Route 1

All hotels on this route board the shuttle at the Hilton Chicago, 8th Street entrance.

  • Hilton Chicago
  • The Blackstone Hotel

Route 2

All hotels on this route board the shuttle at the Hyatt Regency, curbside on Wacker, East Tower entrance.

  • Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park
  • Hyatt Regency Chicago
  • Pendry Chicago
  • Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago
  • Swissotel Chicago

Route 3

  • InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile (board at the Illinois Street entrance)
  • Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown (board at the Sheraton, front entrance, across the street)
  • Loews Chicago (board at the Sheraton, front entrance, across the street)
  • Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile (board at the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile, Illinois Street entrance)
  • Sheraton Grand Chicago (board at the front entrance, across the street)

Walking distance

  • Hampton Inn Chicago McCormick Place
  • Hilton Garden Inn Chicago McCormick Place
  • Home2 Suites Chicago McCormick Place
  • Hyatt Regency McCormick Place
  • Marriott Marquis Chicago

Public transportation

Bus and rail service operates between McCormick Place and points across Chicago. The McCormick Place website has specific directions, or use the trip planner feature on the Chicago Transit Authority website.

In Chicago

Complete the A’22 COVID-19 verification process BEFORE going to registration

Every attendee must complete the COVID-19 verification process before proceeding to registration to pick up their conference badge. If you haven’t done so already, please upload proof of vaccination now or a negative test result beginning June 21 at 9am CT through our HIPAA-compliant service CrowdPass.

Follow the step-by-step instructions on our COVID-19 policy for A’22 attendees page, which also includes details about the Health Attestation form you’ll sign on-site and an FAQ.

If you can’t use CrowdPass, there’s an option to verify on-site at a Health Screening Check Point location. There are three Health Screening Check Point locations, two at McCormick Place and one at the Sheraton Grand. You’ll need your vaccination card or a photo of your negative test taken no earlier than June 21 at 9am CT. Check our COVID-19 policy for A’22 attendees page for more information. Please allow extra time for this option.

Pick up your attendee conference badge

Before proceeding to registration to pick up a conference badge, all attendees must have their CrowdPass confirmation or their temporary verification card from manually verifying on-site at an A’22 Health Screening Check Point.

A line checker will review attendee CrowdPass confirmations or temporary verification cards in registration lines.

At registration, all attendees must:

  • Sign the Health Attestation form on-site (Preview the form >)
  • Show their A’22 registration QR code or confirmation

Registration locations

There are two registration locations this year, McCormick Place and the Sheraton Grand hotel.

McCormick Place Convention Center
2301 S. King Drive

Full registration services are available at this location, including badge pick-up, schedule changes, checking your record of attendance, adding missing credits, and booking your hotel for A’23 in San Francisco.

Tuesday, June 21: 12–5pm
Wednesday, June 22: 7am–5pm
Thursday, June 23: 7am–5pm
Friday, June 24: 7am–5pm
Saturday, June 25: 7:30am–2pm

Sheraton Grand
301 E. North Water Water Street
Lobby Level 3

Tuesday, June 21: 3–8pm
Wednesday, June 22: 7–11am, 3–8pm
Thursday, June 23: 7am–3pm

Badge pick-up only is available at this location. Please go to McCormick Place for full registration services.

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 Tours Lounge 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 might not be able to get in. No wait lists; no holding seats for late arrivals.

Information desk

Questions? Stop by the Information Desk.

McCormick Place
Grand Concourse, Level 3

Tuesday, June 21: 12–5pm
Wednesday, June 22: 7am–5pm
Thursday, June 23: 7am–5pm
Friday, June 24: 7am–5pm
Saturday, June 25: 7:30am–2pm

Keynotes & our June 24 Closing Session

Keynotes will be held on Wednesday, June 22, at 3:30pm and Thursday, June 23, at 8am. Our Closing Session will be held Friday, June 24, at 4pm. Be sure to register to reserve your seat and earn CE credit.

NOTE: Photography and videography of any kind are not permitted in the closing session on Friday, June 24. Please respect this policy.

Book signings

Don’t miss these appearances at the AIA Store, located in Hall A1.

Thursday, June 23

9:30–10:15am
Join us after our Day 2 Keynote for an exclusive book signing!

  • Lee Bey, A’22 keynote host, architecture critic, & author
  • Vishaan Chakrabarti, FAIA
  • Jeanne Gang, FAIA

10:15–10:30am
Celebrate award-winning design with this prestigious lineup of AIA award winners.

  • Angela Brooks, FAIA, & Lawrence Scarpa, FAIA, winner of the AIA Gold Medal 2022
  • Marlon Blackwell, FAIA, winner of the AIA Gold Medal 2020
  • Kathy Dixon, FAIA, winner of the Whitney M. Young Jr. Award 2022
  • Kevin Sullivan, FAIA, representing Payette, winner of the AIA Firm Award 2019
  • Curtis Moody, FAIA, & Jonathan Moody, AIA, representing Moody Nolan, winner of the AIA Firm Award 2021
  • Michael Murphy, representing MASS Design Group, winner of the AIA Firm Award 2022

3:30–4:30pm
Explore “deeply humanistic, courageous projects” and high-performing, sustainable design with award-winning local firms.

  • Peter Exley, FAIA, & Sharon Exley
  • Adrian Smith, FAIA, & Gordon Gill, FAIA

Parties & receptions

Tickets are still available for several parties and events (see what’s available here). Get your ticket now 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.

Conference’s biggest party is now called The Block Party, and it’s taking over the Architecture Expo on Thursday, June 23. If you’re wondering whether we mean all 166,000 sq. ft. of the expo, the answer is YES. There’s live entertainment, food, drinks, and themed Chicago hotspots across the floor, and every exhibitor is participating. Festivities begin at 4:30, which leaves the rest of your night open for alumni receptions, celebrations, or wherever the evening takes you.

The Architecture Expo

For two days, we’re turning McCormick Place into a product playground. And, for the first time, you can experience the full product experience right on the expo floor: See a product demo or launch, then take a CE course (registration required), talk to technical and product experts, and order free samples for your office. Also new this year: You can schedule one-on-one meetings with exhibitors and technical experts using the A’22 app.

This year’s expo features hundreds of product samples available for free request through the Swatchbox Mobile App. Just scan any of the product QR codes throughout the expo with the app to add to your cart and place your order for free. Download the Swatchbox app in advance to check it out and be prepared for Day 1!

Don’t miss the AIA Booth, #3039, on the expo floor. It’s AIA’s biggest and best booth yet, featuring a main stage with 12 hours of live programming and space for workshops, meetups, town halls, and more. We can’t wait to welcome keynoter Julia Gamolina, Assoc. AIA, and keynote host Lee Bey, along with AIA award winners and a powerhouse lineup by Deltek. Check the schedule for the full lineup—search for “A+” sessions.

Expo hours are Thursday, 9:30am–6:30pm, and Friday, 9:30am–3:30pm. The expo closes Friday at 3:30, right before our final keynote.

AIA Code of Conduct

All participants must abide by this Code of Conduct and all other AIA Policies.

The profession of architecture appeals to the highest ideals of design thinking, problem-solving, and intellectual exchange in support of protecting the health, safety, and welfare of society. Participants at AIA conferences, events, and programs reflect a vibrant network of design professionals who come together to learn, grow, and contribute. As such, we expect everyone engaged in our events to foster a welcoming and safe environment at all times, for all participants. Accordingly:

  • DO NOT engage in disruptive or disrespectful behavior.    
  • Harassing or discriminatory behavior is unacceptable. See AIA’s AIA’s Harassment Policy. 
  • Though time, logistics, and legal constraints may not allow AIA to make an immediate determination or take any action during a live event, AIA reserves the right to analyze and take any available action, as appropriate, after the event. 

Report any concerns to event@conferenceonarchitecture.com.

Conference hashtag!

If you’re posting on social channels or taking pictures or videos, be sure to add the conference hashtag, #A22CON.

Get a jump on next year

A’23 takes place June 7–10 in San Francisco. Visit the AIA Housing desk, located in the registration area at McCormick Place, to book your hotel for next year.

We’ll see you there!