Conference Schedule
Tuesday, September 22
7:00 p.m. Conference Kick Off Meet Up
Join fellow conference attendees for a casual Meet Up at Enid Brewing Company as we kick off the AIA Oklahoma Conference in Enid. Great conversations, local brews, and plenty of networking await. (This event is free and drinks are the responsibility of the attendees).
Wednesday, September 23
8:00 – 9:00 a.m. – Registration
9:00 a.m. – Opening Remarks by Clark Todd Gollotte, AIA- AIA Oklahoma Preident
9:30 a.m. – OPENING KEYOTE To Be Announced.
10:30 a.m. – Visit with our Industry Partners / Tradeshow Bingo
11:00 a.m. – BREAKOUT SESSIONS
The Aviation Miracle in Payne County, Oklahoma (1 HSW)
presented by Connie McFarland, FAIA of McFarland Architects, P.C. and Kellie Reed of Stillwater Regional Airport
The New Stillwater Regional Airport Commercial Terminal design highlights “Red Dirt” with this extremely complicated development based on input from the vision committee, City Council, Airport Operations, American Airlines, TSA, FAA, CMAR and City of Stillwater. This new construction is an essential component for this growing community and Oklahoma State University.
The Amazon Phenomenon: Why Your Clients Suddenly Expect Overnight Results (1 LU)
presented by Dwayne Robinett, AIA of HFG Architecture
Clients expect faster results than ever, but architecture requires thoughtful process. This session explores how “Amazon-era” expectations impact design, and how architects can manage speed, communication, and decision-making without compromising performance, compliance, or the human experience.
12:00 p.m. LUNCH KEYNOTE + AXP FRIENDLY FIRM RECOGNITION (Sponsored by PEC)
to Be Announced.
1:40 p.m. BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Responsible Control & Standard of Care for Architects (1 HSW)
presented by Lauren Vaughn, Brad Gaskins and Russell Lissuzzo of the Oklahoma Board of Architects, Landscape Architects & Licensed Interior Designers
This session, presented by the Oklahoma Board of Architects, examines responsible control and the architectural standard of care through an investigative lens. Attendees will explore common compliance and risk issues on rural projects, including limited documentation, variable code enforcement, remote coordination, sealing practices, and right-sizing scope, records, and construction administration.
Monkey Selfies and Hallucinating Robots (1 LU)
presented by Francis Wilmore, AIA of Ethos Architects
As AI becomes a mainstay in all facets or our lives, this session will explore the ethics, legality, and uses of multiple AI tools available to aid designers. Learn how a monkey selfie has shaped AI law and why robots hallucinate. After an overview of the rapid evolution of AI, this session will dive into a series of AI tools available to aid architects from the initial visioning process, through community engagement, and into design. A series of case studies will show how AI platforms including ChatGPT, Gemini, Notebook, Midjourney, Firefly and others have been used to supplement the design and research process.
Explore the Midgley Museum, Enid’s Rock House (1 LU)
presented by Ronald H. Frantz, Jr., FAIA of The Frantz Alliance
This is a fun tour of an incredibly unique house-turned-museum that reflects Mr. and Mrs. Midgley’s worldly travels. This is a great example of folk and vernacular architecture created by curious adventurers who built a 3-D model of their explorations. (This tour requires attendees to sign up at registration and the cost is $20. Space is limited and first come, first served).
2:40 p.m. Visit with our Industry Partners / Tradeshow Bingo
3:20 p.m. BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Designing for the Mind: Translating Research and Trauma-Informed Design into Practice (1 HSW)
presented by Kathryn Parkhurst, AIA, NCARB, TiD-B of Guernsey and Alina Osnaga, Assoc. AIA, NOMA, TiD-S of Research and Design Alina Osnaga
We don’t have a research gap, we have a translation problem. This session challenges the disconnect between knowledge and practice, showing how neuroscience, environmental psychology, and Trauma-informed Design can inform real design decisions. Learn how to move beyond intuition, apply evidence with clarity, and design spaces that truly support human wellbeing.
Business Development & Marketing KPIs for AEC (1 LU)
presented by Daryl Bray, AIA
Learn the key business development and marketing KPIs for AEC firms and how to use them to improve win performance. We’ll define and apply hit (win), capture, shortlist, and interview rates, connect results to pursuit strategy, and outline simple CRM and dashboard practices for clearer forecasting and smarter go/no-go decisions.
4:30 p.m. CLOSING KEYNOTE (Sponsored by Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope)
OKC Thunder – Story Behind the Design of the Continental Coliseum (1 HSW)
presented by Will Hon, AIA of MANICA
This presentation will share a brief history of MANICA Architecture and their work. It will also take attendees behind the scenes of the new Oklahoma City Thunder Arena, exploring the project from its earliest concepts through the evolution of its final design. Hon will discuss the inspirations, challenges, and key decisions that influenced the arena’s development, offering a unique perspective on how architecture can create a lasting civic landmark and elevate the fan experience.
5:45 – 7:00 p.m. RECEPTION
Following the closing keynote speaker, join us for food, drink and conversation at Settlers Brewery. This event is open to conference attendees, sponsors and exhibitors. A drink token and food are provided.
Thursday, September 24
8:00 a.m. Registration
8:30 a.m. BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Making the Right Choice: Window Wall, Curtain Wall, or Storefront (1 HSW)
presented by Stirling Morris, CSI, CDT of Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope (OBE)
This course is designed to expand your understanding of aluminum glazing systems, specifically storefront, window wall, and curtain wall systems. After completing this course, you will be able to effectively select an appropriate aluminum glazing system for your project to achieve desired aesthetics while providing optimal performance.
Sketching with Urban Sketchers (1 LU)
led by Urban Sketchers: Connie McFarland, FAIA, Fred Schmidt, FAIA and Lisa Kelly, AIA
Urban Sketchers is an international organization with almost 600 chapters around the world. The mission of USk is to promote the practice of on-location drawing and encourage artists of all abilities to connect with their community and share those images with the world. Both Oklahoma City and Tulsa have active USk Chapters and representatives from these chapters will lead a morning sketch session to create images of Enid Town Square. This hands on activity will offer all participants a quiet time to start the second day of the AIA OK conference with a sketch pad and pencil which will culminate with a “Throw Down” of the work to be viewed by all of those attending. Only praise will be offered during this review process. No critiques. Please join the Urban Sketchers for this immersive hour of creating art to celebrate the morning and build community among those sketching in Enid Town Square.
9:40 a.m. OPENING KEYNOTE to be announced.
10:40 a.m. Visit with our Industry Partners / Tradeshow Bingo
11:15 a.m. BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Designing for Every Voice: Accessibility as a Catalyst for Better Design (1 HSW)
presented by Elizabeth Robertson, AIA of HFG Architecture
Accessibility standards are more than code requirements, they reflect the voices of the people who use our spaces. This session explores how accessibility, universal design, and related standards can improve safety, dignity, and user experience for far more people than code alone may suggest.
The Resilient Voice: Navigating a 20-Year Build (1 LU)
presented by Anthony Blatt, AIA of ADG Blatt
Architects often serve as long-term advocates and trusted advisors on projects that span multiple phases, years, and leadership changes. Drawing lessons from the 20-year, 14-phase development of the First Americans Museum, this session explores strategies for maintaining client vision, managing evolving stakeholder needs, preserving institutional knowledge, and balancing scope, budget, and design quality over time.
12:15 p.m. LUNCH KEYNOTE + SCHOLARSHIP RECOGNITION (Sponsored by LDKerns Contractors)
Design Build in the Academy and the AIA Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct (1 HSW)
presented by Christian Dagg, AIA
This program will look at the development of a Design Build program within an academic institution, while at the same time participants will understand the tension between these types of programs and the AIA Code of Ethics. By studying this evolution of the AIA’s attitude toward design build, we can better understand how certain types of practice and project delivery methods emerged from conditions that bordered on the unethical to prominent, even innovative, project delivery methods today. Much of this work in the 1970s was centered within academic institutions
1:45 p.m. Visit with our Industry Partners / Tradeshow Bingo
2:15 p.m. BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Saving birds (and other wildlife) through thoughtful design (1 HSW)
presented by Connie Scothorn, ASLA of CLS & Associates
Bird populations in the U.S. have dropped 33% in the past 50 years! Yet little has changed in the way we manage our land since study was published in 2019. This session outlines practical, design-driven actions specifically targeted to architects that can help reverse the decline. The time to act is now!
Building Better: How Public Sector Leaders Choose Design and Construction (1 LU)
presented by Jana Phillips, FAIA and Mary Womble. AIA
Learn what owners really think about the interview process and how you can improve the impression you leave. Sharpen your interview skills by hearing what owner groups are really looking for in a multi-step interview process for design professionals and Construction Managers.
3:20 p.m. Tradeshow Bingo Door Prizes and ARCPAC Raffle
Thank you for coming!