SparkSDA at EDSymposium26

Five minutes. Big ideas. Real impact.

Hosted by the SDA Fellows

SparkSDA is a high-energy, quick-fire session hosted by the SDA Fellows and designed to ignite innovation and positive change across design firm operations in the AEC industry.

Join us at EDSymposium26 for the third annual SparkSDA:

• Date: Friday, May 15, 2026

• Time: 9:00 AM

• Location: EDSymposium26 (Atlanta)

Whether you’re sharing a breakthrough or a lesson learned the hard way, SparkSDA is your chance to bring a practical idea to the SDA community—and spark what comes next.

What is SparkSDA?

SparkSDA features rapid-fire talks that are:

• 5 minutes each

• Paired with 15-second auto-advancing slides

• Fast. Focused. Impactful.

Think: one strong idea, clearly delivered, with takeaways others can use.

The Bigger Opportunity

We’re especially looking for talks that could serve as the spark for future SDA programming—like:

• a Quick in 30

• a panel discussion

• a deep-dive webinar

Consider your five minutes the beginning of a larger conversation. What idea deserves more exploration?

What Could You Spark?

Your idea doesn’t have to be revolutionary — it just needs to be real. SparkSDA is about sharing practical insights, lessons learned, and perspectives that could help someone else think differently or work smarter. Whether your experience comes from a breakthrough success or a challenge you navigated, your five minutes could spark meaningful progress for others.

Need a starting point? Here are just a few examples to get your creativity flowing:

• A workflow that transformed your firm

• A financial lesson that changed how you operate

• A leadership shift that improved team performance

• A technology or AI tool that delivered measurable impact

• A cultural change that strengthened your organization

Have a different angle? Even better. Diverse perspectives are exactly what make SparkSDA powerful.

Why Speak at SparkSDA?

SparkSDA is designed to be supportive, encouraging, and confidence-building.

By participating, you can:

• Expand your leadership potential

• Gain public speaking experience

• Build confidence in a friendly environment

• Increase your visibility within SDA

• Connect with peers who “get” your work

How to Apply

Ready to take the mic?

1. Submit your proposed topic using this Google form

2. Submission deadline: March 20, 2026

We’ll review submissions and follow up with selected presenters with guidance and next steps.

Apply now:  Click Here to Submit Your Proposed Topic 

Let’s make SparkSDA 2026 our best yet.

We can’t wait to hear what you’re working on—and what you’ve learned—so we can keep moving the profession Further Together.