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The AIA|LA Immigration Summit: The Economic & Creative ROI of Immigrants in Los Angeles
Join AIA|LA for a pivotal Immigration Summit in Autumn 2025, a crucial think tank event designed to explore how immigration profoundly shapes our profession and the future of Los Angeles. This summit will illuminate the immense and often understated contributions of immigrants to our nation’s vitality, prosperity, and economic development, as well as the value they add to the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry.
Join AIA|LA for a pivotal Immigration Summit in Autumn 2025, a crucial think tank event designed to explore how immigration profoundly shapes our profession and the future of Los Angeles. This summit will illuminate the immense and often understated contributions of immigrants to our nation’s vitality, prosperity, and economic development, as well as the value they add to the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry.
The ROI of Immigrants in California’s Economy
A series of compelling discussions will share insight about the vital link between immigration and a strong economy. One keynote will emphasize the U.S. as a preeminent “knowledge factory,” where our academic institutions generate invaluable insights. It will highlight the $43.8 billion international students contributed to the U.S. economy in 2023-2024, supporting over 378,000 jobs and creating a substantial “services surplus”.
The summit will also focus on the significant economic value and return on investment (ROI) of immigrants in California with insight about how immigrants, both documented and undocumented, are a core part of our economy. For instance:
- Immigrants make up over a quarter of California’s population and are deeply integrated into the state’s economic framework.
- The construction industry, which relies heavily on immigrant labor, would see a GDP contraction of nearly 16% without this workforce.
- Undocumented immigrants have a higher labor force participation rate (over 72%) than native-born Californians and own almost 11% of the state’s small businesses.
- The Summit will also identify proactive ways to support this workforce, especially in the wake of the early 2025 wildfires and in preparation for upcoming global sporting events in Los Angeles.
Building an Innovative and Resilient Los Angeles
The summit will feature two essential panel discussions. The first will explore The Value of International Students in Higher Education, showcasing how these individuals, with over half pursuing STEM fields, drive innovation and global competitiveness. The second panel, Immigration, Skilled Labor, and Creative Outcomes in AEC, will underscore the critical importance of a diverse and talented workforce for the AEC industry. This panel will highlight how a rich blend of perspectives, built on courage and resilience, enhances creative outcomes, strengthens resilience, and secures our collective prosperity. We will deliberately move beyond dehumanizing terminology, recognizing the profound contributions of every individual.
Don’t miss this opportunity to engage in a forward-looking dialogue that will redefine our understanding of immigration’s role in design and beyond. Be part of the conversation that shapes a more equitable, innovative, and resilient Los Angeles.
AIA CES: 4 LU Approved
PROGRAM & AGENDA:
WELCOME, COFFEE & BREAKFAST = (8:00am – 8:30am)
Carlo Caccavale, Hon. AIA|LA – Executive Director, AIA Los Angeles
OPENING KEYNOTES = (8:30am – 9:20am)
Stephen Cheung –
President & Chief Executive Officer,
Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) &
President, World Trade Center Los Angeles (WTCLA) &
Board Director, International Economic Development Council
Hon. Sade Elharaway – Assemblymember, District #57, California
COFFEE BREAK (9:20am – 9:30am)
PANEL #1 – (9:30am – 10:30am) – The Value of International Students in Higher Education
NETWORKING BREAK (10:30am – 11:00am)
PANEL #2 – (11:00am – 12:00pm) – Immigration, Skilled Labor, and Creative Outcomes in the AEC Industry
CLOSING REMARKS: (12:00pm)
Mitra Memari, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP B+C – Community Regional Director, HKS
RESOURCES:
- More to be added
EVENT SPONSOR
