LAIGW - March 20 - SemiQ 2026 East Coast Tour: Washington, DC

Hosted by the George Washington Chapter of Lambda Alpha International (www.laigw.org)

LAIGW, invites members, planning and design professionals, and guests to a one-day symposium exploring the history, present trajectory, and future vision of Washington, DC. This program is part of the LAI SemiQ East Coast Tour: Land Use & History (1776-2026) and part of the United States Semiquincentennial (SemiQ), also called the Bisesquicentennial, the Sestercentennial, America250 or the Quarter Millennium—the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence—and we would like to personally invite you to attend!

See all the locations and dates of the LAI SemiQ Tour here: https://lai.org/event/semiq-2026-east-coast-tour

SemiQ East Coast Tour: Washington DC
From federal planning frameworks and economic forces to design excellence and civic symbolism, this program convenes leaders who have shaped the built environment of the National Capital Region. Through dialogue, scholarship, and direct experience inside one of the most important civic buildings in the world, the symposium reflects LAIGW’s continued role in advancing thoughtful urban leadership.

Capacity is limited to 55 attendees.

Registration for this event closes at 5 pm on Tuesday, March 17.

Note: Speakers are subject to change based on availability.

Location: National Capital Planning Commission
Continental breakfast served

Welcome and Introductions
Mr. Jody Kline, President, LAI George Washington Chapter (read biography)

The morning opens with a forward-looking conversation about the economic, physical, and policy forces shaping Washington’s next chapter. As the District navigates changing workforce patterns, development pressures, and fiscal realities, this discussion frames the opportunities and challenges ahead for the city and the broader region.

This session examines how Washington evolved as both a living city and a symbolic capital. From Pierre L’Enfant’s foundational plan and the McMillan Commission’s civic vision to post-war growth, industrialization, fiscal autonomy, and 21st-century revitalization, the conversation explores the interplay of public purpose and private initiative that has defined each era.

The session also highlights the Pennsylvania Avenue Initiative, a federal-local effort to reimagine the Avenue as a world-class civic boulevard, strengthening its identity as a vibrant, people-centered connection between the White House and the U.S. Capitol.

Speakers:
Ms. Elizabeth Miller, FASLA, AICP
Director, Long Range Planning, National Capital Planning Commission (read biography)

Mr. Thomas Luebke, FAIA
Secretary, U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (read biography)

Location: National Building Museum
Individual Box Lunches Served

The Past, Present, and Future of DC: Perspectives of an Architect, Developer, Urban Planner and Economist

This interdisciplinary panel brings together leaders from architecture, development, planning, and economics to explore how iconic buildings, infrastructure investments, and design excellence have influenced Washington’s growth. The discussion will examine how public policy, market forces, and civic ambition continue to shape the District’s neighborhoods, waterfronts, memorial landscapes, and economic vitality.

Moderator:
Ms. Ellen McCarthy
Faculty, Urban & Regional Planning, Georgetown University (read biography)

Panelists:
Mr. Alan Harwood, AICP, Hon ASLA, FCC
Principal / Vice President, AECOM DC Metro Lead (read biography)

Mr. David Flanagan
President, Elm Street Development, Inc. (read biography)

Urban Planner (TBD)

Economist (TBD)

Location: U.S. Capitol Building

Security screening upon arrival. Time permitting, attendees may explore the Visitor Center.

A rare insider perspective from the 13th Architect of the Capitol, offering insights into stewardship, preservation, modernization, and the operational complexity of maintaining one of the most recognized civic buildings in the world.

Speaker:
Mr. Thomas E. Austin
13th Architect of the Capitol (read biography)

The day concludes with a guided tour of the U.S. Capitol Building, providing both architectural insight and civic reflection. As the symbolic heart of American democracy, the Capitol represents the intersection of governance, design, history, and national identity. This culminating experience reinforces the themes of planning, legacy, and stewardship explored throughout the symposium. The tour will visit the Crypt, the Rotunda and National Statuary Hall. The tour route is subject to change, depending on activities of the day.

Please review the security restrictions before visiting the U.S. Capitol Building, similar to prohibited items when traveling through TSA security for airports.
https://www.visitthecapitol.gov/visit/know-before-you-go

Optional no-host dinner in Penn Quarter. Following the U.S. Capital Building Tour, attendees are invited to continue the conversation at an optional no-host dinner in Penn Quarter. During the morning session, participants may sign up to join a small group reservation at one of four well-reviewed restaurants located near our downtown drop-off point. Space at each restaurant will be limited and available on a first-come basis.

Each individual will be responsible for the cost of their own dinner meal.

We anticipate offering 2 learning units. Final confirmation will be provided prior to the event.

$100 – Paid-Up LAI Members
$125 – Non-Members and Guests
$300 – Sponsorship (includes one ticket)

Sponsors champion this event while gaining visibility across all sessions. Benefits include:

• Verbal recognition during morning, lunch, and afternoon programs
• Logo placement in the printed program and on screen when slides are used
• Recognition in event advertising and social media
• Featured acknowledgement on the post-event webpage with photos and summaries
• Priority seating near guest speakers at each session

After purchasing sponsorship, please send your high-resolution logo (.jpg or .png) to .

Please select your boxed lunch preference during checkout. Each individually packed lunch includes your choice of a medium sub on a plain white roll, chips, a cookie, and bottled water.

Gluten free and vegetarian options are available. While we will do our best to provide reasonable choices, we may not be able to accommodate all dietary restrictions. If none of the available options meet your needs, you are welcome to bring your own lunch to enjoy during the session.

Due to capacity limitations, attendance is capped at 55 participants. Once capacity is reached, a waitlist will begin. Early registration is strongly encouraged.

This is a full-day program and tickets provide access to all sessions. Partial registrations are not available. Registration fees remain the same whether you attend one session or all three, and regardless of whether you choose the provided meals or bring your own meal.

Registration and sponsorship are non-refundable. If you are unable to attend, you may transfer your ticket to another eligible attendee no later than Tuesday, March 17 at noon. Transfers must be like-for-like by ticket category. Please contact [email protected] to request a transfer by the deadline.

Please ensure your LAI membership is current before purchasing a discounted member ticket. Registrations submitted at the member rate without verified paid-up membership will be required to remit the difference to the non-member rate to confirm the reservation.

Washington, DC is easily accessible by rail, air, metro, and car.

• Train: Amtrak and regional rail arrive at Union Station, conveniently located near the U.S. Capitol and connected to Metrorail.

• Air: The region is served by three major airports:

• Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) – Closest to downtown and accessible by Metrorail (www.flyreagan.com)
• Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) – Accessible via the Silver Line Metrorail (www.flydulles.com)
• Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) – MARC and Amtrak connections to DC (www.bwiairport.com)

• Metro & Bus: Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority operates Metrorail and Metrobus throughout the region. (www.wmata.com). The DC Metro offers "Tap. Ride. Go." using your smart phone on contactless credit or debit card at the faregate without needing to purchase a SmarTrip card. Learn more: https://www.wmata.com/fares/how-to-pay/tap-ride-go.cfm

• Car: Accessible via I-95, I-66, and I-270. Parking availability varies by venue. Reserve a spot with a discounted rate using Spot Hero throughout Washington, DC (www.spothero.com)

While we do not have a reserved room block for this event, the following hotels are conveniently located near the morning and lunch venues and within walking distance of Penn Quarter:

• Riggs Washington DC
• Grand Hyatt Washington
• JW Marriott Washington DC
• Hotel Monaco Washington DC
• The Westin Washington DC Downtown

Attendees are encouraged to book early, as spring is a busy season in Washington, DC. The National Cherry Blossom Festival will run from March 20 - April 12, 2026.

For event inquiries, please contact Ms. Pamela Nkwantabisah at [email protected].

Lambda Alpha International
Lambda Alpha Interational - George Washington Chapter
www.laigw.org

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See all seven stops on the SemiQ East Coast Tour:
https://lai.org/event/semiq-2026-east-coast-tour

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

National Capital Planning Commission, 401 9th Street Northwest, Washington, United States

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