Presenter Application Guidelines
The Gulf Coast Green Committee is now accepting proposals for presentations to be given at the Gulf Coast Green 2025 Symposium and Expo, taking place on March 28, 2025. This is a tremendous opportunity for presenters to share their sustainability expertise with building professionals from across the Gulf Coast region.
Selected presenters will receive complimentary event registration for the Gulf Coast Green 2025 Symposium and Expo.
Proposal applications may only be submitted by filling out the speaker submittal form found below by the November 8th deadline. Co-presenters must also complete the form.
Click here: How to write AIA Learning Objectives.
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CONFERENCE THEME:
Title: Symbiotic Resilience: Designing Better Growth
Houston has faced repeated storms that flood the city or cause massive power outages, raising a critical question: Has the city’s infrastructure reached a breaking point in its ability to handle our accelerating regional growth rate coupled with the growing impacts of climate change? As we mark the 19th year of Gulf Coast Green, we invite you to explore how we can Build better and more resilient in anticipation of an increasingly volatile climate and the likelihood of more frequent natural disasters. By embracing design practices that respect nature, we must treat our built environment as an adaptable, flexible, and inclusive asset for all. Whether working on large-scale regional projects or individual homes, every choice we make as designers shape the future according to the four key goals outlined by the AIA Climate Action Plan: achieving Zero Carbon, fostering Equity, promoting Health, and ensuring Resilience. Join fellow professionals as we tackle tough questions and share innovative solutions to help our region thrive in the face of future challenges.
WiA Professional Development Scholarship for Licensure:
The WiA Professional Development Scholarship for Licensure awards emerging female architecture professionals who are currently working towards licensure. Funded by the WiA Houston Professional Development Fund, the annual scholarship provides funding for ARE exam(s) for each awarded candidate that can be used towards testing fees, study materials, or other testing-related costs. At least 1 grant of up to $1,000 will be awarded annually. The number and value of awards may vary year-to-year based on applications and available funds.
The Scholarship awardees will be announced during the WiA Annual End of Year Celebration.
ELIGIBILITY
- Candidates must be eligible to begin licensure testing at the time of award. Applicants who have already begun testing are also eligible.
- Live in the AIA Houston Chapter territory. Applicants are not required to be a member of the AIA.
- Identify as Female or non-binary
TERMS OF FUND
The recipient will be assigned a mentor from the WiA Houston network to serve as a liaison, champion and accountability partner. Awardee will be asked to report to their mentor on their licensure journey, experience, challenges, lessons learned, and overall thoughts about the process.
SCHOLARSHIP PROCESS
Jury for the award will be composed of the current AIA Houston Women in Architecture (WiA) Chair, one selected WiA sub-committee member or WiA member appointed by the WiA chair, Chair of the AIA Houston JEDI Committee, Chair of the AIA Houston Emerging Professionals, the AIA Houston Board WiA Liaison, and the AIA Houston Executive Director or Staff WiA liaison (ex officio).
Recusals – Jury members should recuse themselves from discussions of or voting on applications submitted by their family members, colleagues within their firm or close personal friends.
Applicants will be awarded based on:
- Eligibility to Test: Masters / Professional Degree in Architecture or enrollment in NCARB IPAL.
- Persuasive Essay
- Engagement in WiA Houston
- Financial Need
The Scholarship awardees will be announced during the WiA Annual End of Year Celebration.
Due: October 15, 11:59 PM
Professional development programs, conferences, and career coaching are powerful tools for developing leadership skills, expanding professional networks, and curating individualized career paths. The AIA Houston Women in Architecture committee seeks to help eliminate the financial burden of these career opportunities through the WiA Professional Development Grant. Funded by the WiA Houston Professional Development Fund, the Grant provides financial support, a minimum of $800 per recipient, for Professional Development program costs including registration, accommodations, and travel expenses. The number and value of awards may vary year-to year based on applications and available funds.
The WiA Houston Professional Development Grant awards women in the architecture field who have shown strong leadership skills, a commitment to the growth and advancement of our profession, and are seeking to advance their careers through professional development programs and training. The fund will assist in sending women to local and national design conferences (AIA Women’s Leadership Summit, AIA National Convention, NOMA Conference, TxA Conference, etc.) to further their education as a working professional.
The flexible funding allows the recipient to develop their own unique path for success within the architecture profession - and share their findings with the WiA community.
ELIGIBILITY
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience in the field of architecture or design OR a licensed AEC professional.
- Current member or associate member of the AIA
- Live in the AIA Houston Chapter territory
- Identify as female or non-binary
- Demonstrate a desire to advance personal career in the field of architecture or design
The Scholarship awardees will be announced during the WiA Annual End of Year Celebration.
Due: October 15, 11:59 PM
TERMS OF FUND
Fund must be used within a year of the award announcement. During the awarded conference/program, awardee will post a minimum of one social media post per day documenting their findings and experience. After the conference/program, awardee will present to WiA network members their findings within 60 days of the event. Awardee will submit a reimbursement form to the Foundation for approved portions of travel and program fees, which will be distributed in January following the award.
GRANT PROCESS
Jury for the award will be composed of the current AIA Houston Women in Architecture (WiA) Chair, one selected WiA sub-committee member or WiA member appointed by the WiA chair, Chair of the AIA Houston JEDI Committee, the AIA Houston Board WiA Liaison, and the AIA Houston Executive Director or Staff WiA liaison (ex officio).
Recusals – Jury members should recuse themselves from discussions of or voting on applications submitted by their family members, colleagues within their firm or close personal friends.
Applicants will be awarded based on:
- Financial need
- Impact of participation on the candidate's professional development, career mobility or expansion of their professional network
- Strong leadership skills and a commitment to the growth and advancement of our profession.