2026 DESIGN COLLOQUIUM

Navigating External Forces & Internal Evolution Together


MARCH 19-20

SAN FRANCISCO, CA

The Spring Design Colloquium in San Francisco will focus on the strategies, tools and actions designers can use to create meaningful, lasting impact. Through discussions on projects, activism, policy change, and collaboration with diverse communities, we will explore how design can inspire and empower during times of profound uncertainty and transformation.

PROGRAM     |    SPEAKERS     |    LOGISTICS

DAY  1

Thursday, March 19

The City Club of San Francisco

8:00 a.m.

Breakfast


8:30 a.m.

Gathering


9:00 a.m.

Keynote Presentation

Keynote Speakers:
Shirley Blumberg and Marianne McKenna, KPMB, winners of the 2025 Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) Gold Medal


10:00 a.m.

Break


10:15 a.m.

The Cost Crisis: Rethinking What and How We Design and Build (Panel)

What does design excellence look like in an era where construction costs, labor shortages, and supply chain volatility make building harder than ever?


11:45 a.m.

Pecha Kucha Presentations


12:00 p.m.

LUNCH


1:00 p.m.

Practice Under Pressure: What Holds, What Breaks, What Evolves (Breakout Sessions)

How do we continue to uphold the values of climate action, equity, and design excellence when the design industry is under existential strain?


2:30 p.m.

Break


2:45 p.m.

Pecha Kucha Presentations


3:00 p.m.

Benchmarking Survey Results


4:00 p.m.

Summary and Open Discussion

Discussion and Reflection on Day 1


5:00 p.m.

Walk to R&G Lounge
for Cocktails and Dinner

DAY  2

Friday, March 21

The City Club of San Francisco

8:00 a.m.

Breakfast


8:30 a.m.

Gathering


8:40 a.m.

Keynote Speaker


9:30 a.m.

Pecha Kucha Presenatations


9:45 a.m.

Break


10:00 a.m.

The Future Firm: Culture, Careers and Leadership Reimagined

(panel & discussion)

What does it mean to build a practice where emerging leaders thrive, pathways expand, and the culture itself produces better design?


11:15 a.m.

Facilitated Discussions & Final Thoughts

Highlights and take-aways from the two days.


12 p.m.

Adjourn

2026 Speakers

(MORE TO COME)

MARK CAMERON, HON. AIA

Principal Consultant, Cameron MacAllister Group

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    Mark Cameron, Hon. AIA, established Cameron MacAllister Group in 1986 to provide marketing advice and strategies to design firms. Prior, he was director of marketing for NBBJ and The Architects Collaborative.


    Mark’s expertise includes strategic planning, leadership development, training, and ownership transition. He has conducted numerous training workshops throughout the United States and United Kingdom on communicating difficult messages, presenting competitively, listening and communication, client development, and strategic planning.


    Mark has lectured on strategic planning and marketing at the University of California Berkeley School of Architecture, the University of Washington School of Business Administration, the American Institute of Architects national convention and local chapter events, and the Society for Marketing Professional Services national convention and local chapter events. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of AIA/San Francisco.


    In 2016, the American Institute of Architects conferred Honorary Membership upon Mark in recognition for his contribution to the profession. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Milligan College, a master’s degree from The Divinity School at Harvard University, and he also studied at Boston Architectural College.


SASKIA DENNIS-VAN DIJL

Principal Consultant, Cameron MacAllister Group

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    Saskia Dennis-van Dijl advises Cameron MacAllister clients in the areas of marketing, practice management, leadership development, and strategic planning.


    Guiding clients through the development and implementation of strategic and tactical marketing plans and budgets, Saskia provides counsel to in-house marketing principals and senior marketing staff on best practices, marketing trends, and prospective clients. She also leads training workshops for architects, engineers, and related professionals throughout the United States on topics including: Presenting for Success, Client Care and Business Development, Effective Communications, and Basics of Marketing.


    In recent years, Saskia has focused extensively on leadership development in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry including a deep commitment to concerns related to diversity equity and inclusion. She was a founding member of the 2014 Equity by Design research project sponsored by AIA San Francisco and now works with companies around the nation on culture and policy development to achieve goals of diversity and inclusion in all aspects.  Saskia has spoken widely on the topic including presenting to the AIA, the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), and several other national and regional groups. 


    In 2018, Saskia was named a Women of Vision award winner by the Portland Daily Journal of Commerce. She was one of 50 women honored for their roles in shaping the industry in Oregon and southwest Washington. Saskia also serves as Executive Director of the Global Design Alliance, an international network of 19 design, planning and construction firms who are committed to fostering dynamic growth and change. 


    Saskia joined Cameron MacAllister Group in 1999 after 11 years as Director of Business Development for Esherick Homsey Dodge and Davis (EHDD), an architectural firm based in San Francisco.


2026 Logistics

Hotel Accommodations | Welcome Reception | Venue Location | Dinner Location | Event App

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Hotel Accommodations

Hilton San Francisco Financial District

750 Kearny Street

San Francisco, CA 94108


+1 415-433-6600


Room Block Reservations

We have a room block reserved for March 18 – 20, 2026.


CLICK HERE FOR ROOM BLOCK RESERVATIONS >

Welcome Reception

MARCH 18, 2026

4:30-6:30 p.m. PT


ehdd

300 Montgomery St.

Suite 900

San Francisco, CA 94104


www.ehdd.com

Meeting Space

The City Club of San Francisco

155 Sansome Street

11th Floor

San Francisco, CA 94104

Group Dinner

MARCH 19, 2026


R & G Lounge

631 Kearny St

San Francisco, CA 94108


www.rnglounge.com

Event App

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