Converge San Diego

What began as the "Little "a" Conference" has evolved into Converge San Diego. A dynamic, reimagined regional event presented by AIA San Diego, in collaboration with the U.S. Green Building Council California. More than just a name change, Converge San Diego represents a powerful new platform for interdisciplinary collaboration, innovative thinking, and actionable solutions.

With a bold new identity and an expanded mission, Converge San Diego invites architects, designers, planners, engineers, policymakers, students, and sustainability advocates to come together and explore how the power of design can address today’s most urgent challenges. From climate resilience and housing equity to community health and adaptive infrastructure.

Through inspiring keynotes, hands-on workshops, interactive panels, and community-driven dialogues, this event is your opportunity to be part of a growing movement to build more sustainable, inclusive, and future-ready communities.

Join us at the intersection of innovation, sustainability, and bold ideas, where design leads the way forward.

Description

Scott Paul is the Director of Sustainability at Taylor Guitars, a truly distinctive role within the musical instrument manufacturing industry. In this capacity, he represents the company in various policy forums at both national and international levels. Scott oversees Taylor Guitars’ global sustainability initiatives, which include the award-winning Ebony Project in Cameroon. This project has successfully planted over 40,000 ebony trees and has also led to the creation of original peer-reviewed scientific research.

Time

1:00 PM - 1:20 PM

Speakers

Scott Paul, Taylor Guitars

Description

A lively conversation with Ed Holakiewicz, AIA, Keith York, and Daniel López-Pérez on resilience, history, and the San Diego spirit that keeps a firm thriving for 75 years.

Speakers

Ed Holakiewicz, Architects Mosher Drew
Daniel Lopez-Perez, University of San Diego
Keith York

Time

1:30 PM - 1:50 PM

Registration is now open!

Registration is open for Converge San Diego '25, happening Thursday, October 16, from 12 to 7 PM at UCSD Park & Market in downtown San Diego.

Take advantage of early bird pricing, available through August 31:

AIA/USGBC-CA Members: $75 (increases to $95 after Aug 31)
Non-Members: $100 (increases to $135)
Students: $25

This year’s Summit includes a new venue, exciting partnerships, and a full afternoon of programs built around design leadership, sustainability, and resilience.

As a Sponsor, your organization will have the unique chance to showcase your brand to a diverse audience of industry leaders, innovators, and professionals. Our summit brings together thought leaders and key decision-makers from across the field, offering you an unparalleled platform to highlight your products, services, and thought leadership.

By partnering with us, you'll not only gain visibility and recognition, but you'll also play a pivotal role in advancing the conversation and fostering connections within the industry. Join us to elevate your brand and make a lasting impact!

1:00 PM - 1:20 PM
1:00 PM - 1:20 PM	Keynote Speaker: Scott Paul More Info
1:30 PM - 1:50 PM
1:30 PM - 1:50 PM	Keynote: Architects Mosher Drew: 75 Years Strong More Info
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM	Product Sustainability Standards: Transparency for Industry Transformation More Info	Providing Places for Nurturing our Community Strengths: County of San Diego Health & Human Services Facility Case Studies More Info	How to be the Owner of Choice for Decarbonization More Info		Design as Recovery: Personal and Collective Resilience After Trauma More Info	Future-Ready Infrastructure: Advancing Resilience Through Workforce Innovation More Info
3:25 PM - 4:25 PM
3:25 PM - 4:25 PM	AIA SD COTE Presents: Cardinal Childcare Center: Climate, Context, and Child-Centered Design in a Net-Zero Preschool More Info	Re-imagining Belonging and Home: How the Global Village Community Visioning Process is Empowering Ethnic Diversity and Cultural Exchange More Info	Border Ecologies: Between Water and Land More Info		Designing with Native Plants to Strengthen Place and Ecology More Info	Polyhaus: Resilient by Design – Rapid, Volume-Maximizing, and Sustainable Urban Infill Housing with Mass Timber More Info
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM	AIA Member Meeting More Info			Adaptive Materials and Reuse presented by USGBC-CA More Info

Time Zone: (UTC-07:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada) []

Keynote Speakers Announced!

Scott Paul, Taylor Guitars

Architects Mosher Drew: 75 Years Strong

Looking to become a Sponsor?

Sessions

What to Expect

Thank you to our Sponsors

Exhibitors