FAQs: About conferences

Here is a list of answers to frequently asked questions about the AIGA Design Conference. We hope you find the information you are seeking, but if you still have unanswered questions after reading this page, please contact us.

What do registration fees cover and how are they set?
The registration fee for participants includes attendance at all conference general and affinity (breakout) sessions, the Design Fair opening reception on Thursday night, the Design Fair happy hour on Friday night and the closing party on Saturday evening. Continental breakfast and light refreshment breaks will be provided on Friday and Saturday. Lunch and dinner will be on your own.

The fees are set to make the experience both memorable and affordable. Typically the per person cost of putting on the conference is about three times the registration fee.

Can we get a discount for group registrations?
Discounts are available for three or more people registering from the same company. You must complete the group registration form and send it to AIGA by mail or fax together with payment in full. Learn more about groups and download the form here.

How do you select speakers for the conference?
When the Design Conference originated more than 20 years ago, the gathering was an opportunity to bring together people who were passionate about design to share ideas. Over time we have drawn further afield in seeking speakers who are inspirational, informative and provocative.

Each year, the AIGA community helps to curate the program for one AIGA’s biennial conferences, AIGA Design Conference (held in odd years) or “Gain: AIGA Design and Business Conference” (held in even years). AIGA invites members, nonmembers, chapter leaders and other concerned parties to contribute suggestions to program through an open call for topics and speaker recommendations. The affinity session presentations are programmed by a group of curators and leaders from AIGA’s communities of interest. Main stage presentations are vetted by an advisory committee. Richard Grefé, AIGA executive director, and Katie Baker, AIGA conference producer, manage the committee and speaker selection process.

Except in highly unusual cases, we have not paid speaking fees. We also try to avoid any presentations that will be self-promotional or promote a specific product. Unlike some professional conferences, we do not offer opportunities for presentations that do not fit into the main theme of the conference as determined by the conference committee. This policy is followed in order to be able to manage the experience and value we offer all participants.

Can I buy a one-day pass to the conference?
AIGA offers only full-conference registration to its events. The experience and the pricing for the conference are based on participants attending the entire conference. Based on experience, we have determined that it is neither economically nor administratively feasible for our small staff to offer partial registrations and to oversee compliance. As such, it would be unfair to those paying full registration to allow those purchasing a partial registration to experience the full conference by violating the intent of a partial registration.

Do you offer any comp registrations?
We do not offer complimentary registrations to anyone, including board members and chapter leadership. This policy is based on a firm commitment to equity and fairness. We respect our customers who pay for the conference and will not violate their trust.

Can I get a press pass for the conference?
AIGA, the professional association for design, is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) educational institution. Our activities are designed to benefit our members, who also support those activities. Therefore, only a limited number of press passes may be available for editorial staff serving publications that are likely to provide coverage of the event and share the news with a broader audience. Members of the press who are intrigued by the content are encouraged to attend.

We apply our policies consistently and fairly to avoid situations in which designers with limited means are subsidizing participation by others. This is the only way we know to remain fair to our members who support us all year and also pay to attend our conferences. To apply for a press pass, send us a proposal for consideration. Under no circumstance will non-editorial staff or more than one writer from a single publication receive a press pass.

Is video of speakers from AIGA conferences available?
To share the content from the conference with a wider audience and allow attendees to relive the experience, AIGA will make every effort to post video, transcripts and presentations of all the main stage presentations on the AIGA website.