Deadline: February 1, 2012 

The ACSA invites proposals from member schools to host the 2013 ACSA Fall Conference. Beginning in 2011 the ACSA began holding annual fall conferences that were thematic in focus. The 2011 conference hosted by Prairie View A&M University and Texas A&M University focused on “Local Identities/Global Challenges.” The 2012 ACSA Fall Conference will be “Offsite Production in Architecture: Theory and Practice,” hosted by Temple University and chaired by Ryan E. Smith, University of Utah, John Quale, University of Virginia, and Rashida Ng, Temple University. 

The Fall Conference program is assembled from peer-reviewed abstracts, with full papers collected in a digital proceedings published in ACSA’s permanent online archive. The conference is an opportunity for the host school to bring educators from across North America and beyond to their campus. The thematic focus can highlight a school’s strengths and demonstrate educational excellence to upper administration. Other goals for the new format include strengthening social opportunities for participants with common scholarly interests and bringing concentrated visibility to the work being done in the topic area. 

Attendance at the Fall Conference is anticipated to be 100-200 people, with host schools using campus facilities or other appropriate venues for conference sessions. Joint proposals from neighboring schools and partnerships with other groups (such as those formed around the thematic area) are welcome.

Final proposals will be reviewed and selected through the ACSA Board of Directors’s Scholarly Meetings Committee. Proposals should be 3 pages or less, excluding supporting documents, and should include:

1. A title and paragraph-length description of the conference that clearly identifies the theme

2. Proposed dates for the conference

• The Fall Conference should occur in late September or October, typically Thursday through Saturday.

3. The name of the conference chair or co-chairs, as well as any other relevant organizers 

• Identify one or more faculty members to act as chair and whose area of expertise relates to the proposed theme. The chair(s) will be responsible to craft the conference program, oversee local logistical details, and maintain communication with partners on any joint efforts. The chair(s) will also work with ACSA staff on planning, promotion, and on-site support. 

4. A description of other potential enhancing conference features: partnerships, sponsors, keynote speakers, tours, etc.

5. Clear expression of interest by school

• Show evidence of support from the school’s dean, provost, or other appropriate university representatives through letters and/or supporting documents.

6. A description of resources available for the conference 

• ACSA does not expect host schools to contribute direct financial support to the conference, and instead encourages in-kind contributions of available resources, such as meeting space, audio-visual equipment, ongoing lecture series to cover keynote speakers, etc. 
• ACSA will work with the host school to develop a business plan that accounts for in-kind school contributions, registration revenue, and staff and direct financial support from the ACSA. Resources that cannot be provided in-kind will be paid out of registration fees or sponsorships. 

Schools interested in hosting are encouraged to contact the ACSA to discuss potential arrangements prior to making a proposal. 

Submission and Information
Please submit your proposal and direct any questions to: Jonathan Halpin, Conferences Manager, jhalpin@acsa-arch.org, 202.785.2324 x2