You’re on this email list for a reason.

You design, support designers, teach designers, or do business with them. And whether you’re just getting started, already established, or running a firm, if you’re on this list, there’s a membership level built for you at AIBD.org/join.

Today, I want you to find your level, claim your benefits, and stop going it alone.

AIBD isn’t just another association. It’s the professional home for the people actually doing the work of building design — and the place that’s out there fighting for you, often before you even know you need it.

Let’s break down the levels so you can see exactly where you belong.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBER

We fight for you so you can focus on design.

You’re busy running projects, serving clients, and keeping the business moving… which means you don’t have time to track every code proposal, legislative change, or policy shift that could impact your right to design.

Meanwhile, decisions that affect your livelihood are being made in rooms you’re not in. Regulations get proposed, debated, and passed while you’re buried in deadlines. By the time you hear about them, it’s often too late to do anything but react and hope.

As a Professional Member, you have a national organization standing guard for you. AIBD is out in front, watching the issues, tracking the changes, and fighting for your rights as a designer so you don’t have to. We do the watchdog work and advocacy, you do the design. On top of that, you tap into tools, education, community, and credibility that position you as a true professional in the eyes of clients, peers, and the public.

This level is for you if:

• You are actively engaged in building design
• You want someone watching your back while you work
• You’re ready to be seen and treated as a leader in your profession

​Learn more about Professional Membership​

ASSOCIATE MEMBER

You support designers. We help them see you.

You offer products, services, technology, or support that designers need, but getting their attention is hard. Your emails get ignored, your calls go unanswered, and your best prospects barely know you exist.

So you keep spending time and money trying to break through… while competitors with the right relationships quietly win the projects, the specs, and the long-term accounts. You know you could help more designers — if only you were in the right rooms.

As an Associate Member, you’re plugged directly into the AIBD community. You’re not shouting from the outside anymore. You’re building trust with the exact professionals you’re trying to serve, showing up where they learn, network, and make decisions. You get visibility, credibility, and access — without the cold door knocks.

This level is for you if:

• You sell products or services into the building design space
• You provide technical, drafting, or related support services
• You want real relationships with real designers, not just “leads”

​Learn more about Associate Membership​

EDUCATOR MEMBER

Teach with industry at your back.

You’re preparing the next generation of designers, but it’s hard to keep your curriculum synced with what’s actually happening in the field. Codes evolve, tools change, expectations rise — and students notice when what they learn isn’t matching real practice.

If your program isn’t connected to the profession, students graduate underprepared, employers look elsewhere, and your program risks losing relevance. You don’t have time to chase every update and industry shift all on your own.

As an Educator Member, you stay connected to the pulse of the profession. You have direct lines into working designers, current standards, and practical tools you can bring into the classroom. That means more confident graduates, more respect from industry, and a stronger program you’re proud to represent.

This level is for you if:

• You teach or run a building design–related program
• You want your students aligned with real-world expectations
• You want a professional network that feeds your curriculum

​Learn more about Educator Membership​

STUDENT MEMBER

Skip years of trial and error.

You’re passionate about design, but the path ahead feels foggy. You see portfolios, job titles, firms, and credentials… but nobody hands you a clear roadmap for how to get from “student” to “in-demand designer.”

Without guidance and connections, it’s easy to waste years guessing. You graduate, send out resumes, take whatever work you can find, and hope it eventually turns into the career you imagined. Many never make that leap.

As a Student Member, you get to plug into the professional world now — not someday. You get exposure to practicing designers, real standards, tools, and a community that can open doors for internships, jobs, and mentorship. You’re no longer “on the outside looking in.” You’re already in the room.

This level is for you if:

• You’re in school for design or a related field
• You want to start building your network before you graduate
• You’re serious about turning your passion into a profession

​Learn more about Student Membership​

Here’s the big idea I don’t want you to miss:

If you’re on this email list, AIBD already considers you part of this world. There is a membership level made for you. The only question is whether you’ll keep watching from the outside… or step in and claim your seat.

Take 2 minutes now to choose your level and join us:

​>>> AIBD.org/join <<<​

Let’s make your place in this profession official — today.

See You On The Other Side,
Garrett Mickley
AIBD Communications Director