AIA Business Academy: Program Plus (Cohort 2)
AIAU26-BBC-S1
Course expires on: 11/17/2028
Description
In today’s competitive market, growing a successful architecture or design firm takes more than technical expertise—you need a clear strategy, strong leadership, and the ability to execute. This four-part blended bootcamp gives you the frameworks, tools, and skills to position your firm for long-term success.
You’ll start by building a solid strategic foundation, refining your firm’s value proposition, and using relationships as a competitive advantage. Then, you’ll explore market positioning, growth strategies, diversification, and vertical integration, applying structured decision-making to justify your strategic choices. Finally, you’ll focus on execution and accountability—ensuring you leave with a clear, actionable plan to drive measurable business success.
This program blends online and in-person learning for flexibility and impact. Virtual sessions provide interactive discussions, while in-person sessions offer hands-on activities and peer collaboration for real-world application.
This series is ideal for firm leaders, aspiring firm leaders, and anyone responsible for strategic decision-making in architecture and design firms. Each session builds on the last, creating a step-by-step roadmap to help you scale your firm, strengthen decision-making, and achieve long-term business success.
The bootcamp consists of four sessions—two virtual and two in-person—over seven months with minimal required coursework outside of scheduled sessions, keeping the workload manageable for participants. Assignments are estimated to be less than eight hours outside of scheduled class time.
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Program Schedule
Course 1: Designing Your Firm’s Strategy & Setting a Clear Direction (6 LUs) | June 9, 2026 | in person @ AIA Conference on Architecture & Design in San Diego
Course 2: Culture & Collaboration to Support Strategic Growth (2 LUs) | July 30, 2026 | 12–2pm ET | online on AIAU
Course 3: Effective Decision-Making to Boost Accountability & Profit (2 LUs) | September 17, 2026 | 12–2pm ET | online on AIAU
Course 4: From Vision to Roadmap (6 LUs) | October 27, 2026 | in person @ AIA Global Campus for Architecture & Design in Washington, D.C.
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Learning Objectives
Develop a compelling value proposition and position your firm for success.
Use proven strategic frameworks to analyze market opportunities and business decisions.
Leverage relationships and collaboration as growth drivers.
Implement diversification and vertical integration strategies effectively.
Foster accountability and track execution using key performance indicators (KPIs).
For more information on the AIA Business Academy program, or to see if it’s a right fit for you, please visit the AIA Business Academy webpage.
The AIA Business Academy: Program Plus includes an AIA26 Full Pass (up to $1,499 value), a one-hour private consultation ($400 value), and 3 additional courses on business fundamentals (6.75 LUs, $175 value). Not interested in the exclusive extras? Check out our basic program!
Travel and lodging are not included in program registration fees. All courses must be completed to earn 22.75 LUs. Registration fees for this program are non-refundable.
Doug Bosse is the associate dean for international business programs, professor of strategic management, and the David Meade White Jr. chair in business at the University of Richmond’s Robins School of Business. With 20+ years of experience in strategic planning and leadership alignment, he has worked with executives across industries, from multinational corporations to small firms. A former corporate strategy consultant, Doug is also an executive coach and board member. His research focuses on stakeholder management and innovation, and he holds a PhD from The Ohio State University.
Richard Coughlan is the faculty director for executive education and associate professor of management at the University of Richmond. An award-winning educator, he specializes in organizational behavior, consulting, and negotiations, teaching leaders at all levels—from emerging professionals to CEOs. With a background in hospitality management at Hyatt and Pebble Beach Resorts, he brings real-world leadership experience to the classroom. Richard earned his MBA and PhD in judgment and decision making from the University of Arizona.
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