AIBD Design & Build Conference Series

AIBD Design and Build Conferences

INTRODUCING THE HYBRID EVENTS

By Bernie Kern

In 2017 AIBD kick started four conferences per year beginning with Atlanta as the Summer Design and Build Conference. Now nearly six years later we have held to our commitment successfully navigating each conference. In 2020 we had to cancel the in person summer Design and Build Conference scheduled in Colorado Springs due to rising COVID cases throughout the world. We had 30 days to turn an in person event into a virtual event.

Our Executive Director, Steven Mickley was hard at work working late nights to create a solution and found a brilliant virtual platform, ‘Hopin that creates on line events. Our 2020 Summer Conference was a huge hit that included our first ever virtual ARDA. That event can be found on You Tube at here. The AIBD staff and Conference Committee pulled off what some may think a miracle with a successful virtual Design and Build Conference. Today, AIBD continues to present four conferences per year, with two conferences being a hybrid event. The other two remain virtual conferences only. Hybrid is a combination of both an in person event which can also be streamed live on our ‘Hopin platform. When the 2020 Design and Build Conference was canceled in person, the Conference Committee agreed to keep Colorado Springs on the schedule for 2021. The Committee and the AIBD staff made it happen, plus streamed live. The event was a huge success that included the Compass Club event at the Pikes Peak Ghost Museum, a recorded and live Architectural Tour at the famous Old Historic North End Neighborhood in Colorado Springs hosted by AIBD College of Fellow Larry Gilland.

The event also included two full days of education classes and a final climax at the American Residential Design Award Banquet Gala. All streamed while in-person. You can

AIBD Design and Build Conferences

only imagine the AIBD staff and the work put into this huge successful Design and Build Conference. On the night of our Gala, our Communications Director Garrett Mickley said, “I will feel much better when this night is over”. His anxiety of wanting the Gala to be smooth for the entire evening both in-person while managing all of the streaming can be understood. Well Garrett. It was awesome!

Each conference and streaming becomes easier as the Conference Committee and Staff learn at each event, at the same time always looking for improvement to make you conference experience, the best ever. The Conference Committee just finished a Winter Hybrid event in Houston, Texas. Returning home our Conference Committee Chair, Benjamin Tabolt summed it all up; we are getting good at this. Each event is getting better. Be sure to watch for registration for our virtual conference May 18th and 20th. As of writing this article final documents are being prepared for a potential Summer Design and Build Conference in St. Paul, Minnesota. Be sure to watch your AIBD Monday Minute news.

Bernie Kern

has been in the residential building industry for 35 years and has owned and operated BBKern DESIGNS, LLC, Colorado Springs, CO, for 25 years. BBKern DESIGNS is winner of multiple ARDA submittals. Having become an AIBD member in 2002, Bernie is serving consecutive years as President of the AIBD and has served on the AIBD Board since 2014. Bernie was honored and humbled with the 2018 AIBD Designer of the Year. Bernie is also past President and Chair of the Central Colorado Chapter. Bernie helped launch AIBD’s first chapter, Central Colorado.