“Welcome to Washington, D.C., a city where design reflects the aspirations of a democracy.  I look forward to celebrating with you the intersection of art and science that is the beauty and power of architecture as together we explore how these connections shape the places of our lives.” 

Photographs in the Carol M. Highsmith Archive, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.

AIA 2012 National Convention and Design Exposition
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
801 Mt. Vernon Place, NW
Washington, D.C. 20001
  
PREPARING FOR YOUR VISIT
Reserve Your Hotel     
Passports and Visas     
Temperature        

UPON ARRIVAL
Transportation to and from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)     
Transportation to and from Washington Dulles International (IAD)     
Transportation to and from Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI)     
Shuttle Transportation     
Union Station     
Public Transit System     
AIA Guide to the Architecture of Washington, D.C.     
Resources and Links     
   

PREPARING FOR YOUR VISIT
Reserve Your Hotel 
Book your hotel accommodations today, while the best rates and room are available.  The 2012 Headquarter Hotels are the Grand Hyatt Washington and the Renaissance Washington, D.C., Downtown, but there are over 30 other hotels within the official AIA 2012 Convention housing block for you to choose from. 

Passports and Visas
As an international attendee or exhibitor traveling to the AIA 2012 National Convention and Design Exposition, you must do several things in advance to prepare for your trip. Generally, international travelers need a visa to enter the U.S. Travelers from certain eligible countries may be able to visit the U.S. without a visa through the Visa Waiver Program. View a list of VWP countries.
  

Temperature
During your stay in May, the average high is 76F/24C and the average low is 52F/11C. However, the weather can be a sometimes surprising mix of hot, humid temperatures, as well as colder, rainy days. Visit the Weather Channel for more information.   

UPON ARRIVAL

IMPORTANT:  When traveling by car or shuttle, please be mindful that from the hours of 7-10 a.m. and 4-7 p.m., traffic in the region is very congested on the major roads around and inside Washington, D.C. Some routes that take 15min during non-rush hour can take an hour or more during rush hour.  Please allow plenty of time to get to your destination. If possible, try to avoid driving during rush hour.

  
Transportation to and from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is located in Arlington, Va just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. Built in 1941, the airport’s original terminal, now called Terminal A, is on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1997, Terminal B/C, designed by Cesar Pelli, was opened with a new roadway and parking garages. DCA is directly linked to the region’s metrorail system which is adjacent to Terminal B/C.
  

Transportation to and from Washington Dulles International (IAD)
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is located in Chantilly, Va. on 12,000 acres of land 26 miles from downtown Washington, D.C. The Main Terminal opened in 1962 and was designed by architect Eero Saarinen. Dulles is a major hub for domestic and international air travel with a mixture of legacy and low fare carriers which provide air service throughout the world. The airport is connected to the region’s highway system via a 16-mile airport access highway dedicated to airport users. 

    
Transportation to and from Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI)
Amtrak and MARC trains provide service to the BWI Rail Station, connecting to a free shuttle bus service to the airport terminals.  Taxicabs, rental cars, and Super Shuttle are also available.  The cost for taxicab fare from BWI to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center is approximately $65.00 USD.  The distance in miles and average minutes from BWI to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center is 31.5 and 45, respectively.

  
Shuttle Transportation
Super Shuttle provides daily shared ride van service from your house to the airport and hotel back to the airport. Reserve your ride online and receive a 20% discount, per person, on your round trip ticket or a 10% discount for one-way transportation, per person. For more information, or to make individual/group reservations, call 800-258-3826 and mention “AIA National Convention” and code MKSVY. Washington, D.C., Super Shuttle services both Dulles Airport (IAD) and Reagan National Airport (DCA).

  
Union Station
For nearly 100 years, Union Station has been a gateway to Washington, D.C.  Here you can also travel to and from Washington, D.C. by the Amtrak train, Marc train, a variety of bus companies, or metrorail.  The Amtrak train is the transportation of choice for visitors along the northeast coast, from Philadelphia to New York City and many others from all over the country.  
  
Public Transit System
Metrorail, our subway system, stops within walking distance of most of the city’s hotels, attractions, and other points of interest. Metrobus fills in many of the gaps with service into the neighborhoods. Washington, D.C.’s newest transportation option, the Circulator, offers quick and easy connections between downtown and the National Mall, Union Station and Georgetown.
 
AIA Guide to the Architecture of Washington, D.C.
To coincide with the AIA 2012 National Convention, AIA|DC has produced a new edition of its venerable AIA Guide to the Architecture of Washington, D.C. This fifth edition of the book, first published in 1965, includes dozens of new entries, ranging from prominent public, institutional, and commercial buildings to innovative houses and other small but noteworthy projects. Reserve your copy in advance by choosing that option on the AIA 2012 Convention registration form—or buy it during the convention at the on-site AIA Bookstore (price: $25.00). Advance purchasers will receive a ticket to redeem at the AIA|DC Information Desk. AIA|DC also offers the guide as an iPhone app for $2.99, available from iTunes.
  
Resources and Links
About DC            
Traveling to DC    
Getting Around DC   
Dining in DC       
Bike Share