# Home

Celebrating Information Architecture in LOCATION since 2012

## Welcome to World IA Day Providence

World Information Architecture Day has been celebrated in Providence since 2024, bringing together information architects, UX designers, content strategists, and digital professionals to explore the latest trends and practices in information architecture. 

***

### 📅 World IA Day 2026 - March 7, 2026

\[Brief description of this year's event]

> 💡 **New to IA?** Don't worry! Our event welcomes practitioners at all levels, from curious newcomers to seasoned practitioners and academics.

<a href="/pages/ccO2uLg4iOmKu7h4Vo5W" class="button primary" data-icon="arrow-right">View event details</a>&#x20;

***

#### Event history highlights

* **2025:** Challenges of Change
* **2024:** First World IA Day in Providence

[View our complete event history](/events/all-events) →

***

### 🌟 What makes WIAD Providence special

> *"\[Quote from past attendee or organizer about what makes your location unique]"*
>
> — \[Attribution]

***

### :e-mail: Contact & connect

**General inquiries:** <providence@worldiaday.org>\
**Sponsorship:** \[LINK]\
**Speaking opportunities:** \[LINK]

***

*World IA Day Providence is part of the global World Information Architecture Day celebration.* [*Learn more about World IA Day worldwide*](https://www.information-architecture.world/worldiaday) *→*


# All events

Explore the history of World IA Day Providence since 2024. Browse past speakers, topics, and community highlights from our IA celebrations.

| Event year                                 | Date          |
| ------------------------------------------ | ------------- |
| [Providence 2026](/events/providence-2026) | March 7, 2026 |
| [Providence 2025](/events/providence-2025) | March 8, 2025 |
| [Providence 2024](/events/providence-2024) | March 2, 2024 |


# Providence 2026

Join Providence's celebration of World IA Day 2026 on March 7, 2026!

World IA Day is the one day a year the information architecture, UX, design, and content communities get together for a global conference with many local celebrations, curated and organized by volunteers around the world.

## Date and time

Saturday, March 7, 2026

9am - 12pm

## Location

Providence Public Library

Seminar Room (3rd floor)

150 Empire St, Providence, RI 02903

**Getting there:** There is 2-hour and some 4-hour metered street parking and parking garages nearby. We recommend arriving a bit early or using public transportation if possible. Here are some options:

* LAZ Parking – 197 Fountain St (entrance across from the Hilton)
* Amica Mutual Pavilion Parking – 99 West Exchange St
* Providence Place Mall – $2 parking. Park on Macy’s side, take the skybridge, exit through the Omni Hotel. \~15 min walk to PPL
* Kennedy Plaza (bus station) – 10 min walk to PPL

More info can be found here: <https://provlib.org/visit-us/directions-hours/>

<figure><img src="/files/Ycf87lLEaxfg0i43kacN" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

***

## This year's theme

[World IA Day 2026](https://www.information-architecture.world/worldiaday/events/world-ia-day-2026#global-theme-designing-for-meaning)

***

{% columns %}
{% column width="50%" %} <a href="https://luma.com/03k0qcpc" class="button primary" data-icon="tickets">Register</a>

Registration is required to attend (it's free!)

{% endcolumn %}

{% column width="50%" %} <a href="https://opencollective.com/worldiaday-providence" class="button secondary" data-icon="hand-holding-heart">Donate or sponsor</a>

To make sure we can keep all our events free, make a donation today. All donations are tax-deductible.

{% endcolumn %}
{% endcolumns %}

***

## Speakers

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th>Name</th><th data-type="content-ref">Link</th><th>Company &#x26; title</th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="image">Cover image</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Matt Arnold</td><td><a href="/pages/bZDAZafGpGLgWqysbRlc">/pages/bZDAZafGpGLgWqysbRlc</a></td><td>Chief Catalyst, <strong>Spark Consulting Group</strong></td><td><a href="/files/2q4Xc3iWc2H4Q7AbuN9I">/files/2q4Xc3iWc2H4Q7AbuN9I</a></td></tr><tr><td>Erynn Petersen</td><td><a href="/pages/9t37hkaVyOABzrKJyZS8">/pages/9t37hkaVyOABzrKJyZS8</a></td><td>CEO, <strong>Emme</strong></td><td><a href="/files/AIp2pzbeDJVadv9jOSFE">/files/AIp2pzbeDJVadv9jOSFE</a></td></tr><tr><td>Lily Mathews</td><td><a href="/pages/wRRCkYwFPLcMaYae62tb">/pages/wRRCkYwFPLcMaYae62tb</a></td><td>Strategist and Researcher, <strong>From Forward</strong></td><td><a href="/files/eoc0zDujUeuJxNxEFVFA">/files/eoc0zDujUeuJxNxEFVFA</a></td></tr><tr><td>Alec Thibodeau</td><td><a href="/pages/9J5mtwEIqboZtBRhScwl">/pages/9J5mtwEIqboZtBRhScwl</a></td><td>Lecturer,<br><strong>University of Massachusetts Dartmouth</strong></td><td><a href="/files/tgZrkXUPYPk1np8K8Y1o">/files/tgZrkXUPYPk1np8K8Y1o</a></td></tr><tr><td>Drew Hicks</td><td><a href="/pages/ECqOwQCxpVPQ432yGNm5">/pages/ECqOwQCxpVPQ432yGNm5</a></td><td>Senior Product Designer,<br><strong>CVS Health</strong></td><td><a href="/files/eUuP8qjU44ptmumLvgva">/files/eUuP8qjU44ptmumLvgva</a></td></tr><tr><td>Fiona O'Malley</td><td><a href="/pages/yDSFra6OKMXE1GAPX9V5">/pages/yDSFra6OKMXE1GAPX9V5</a></td><td>Senior UX Research Consultant, <strong>UserTesting</strong></td><td><a href="/files/Hz01f78LQD1hwwySMBBw">/files/Hz01f78LQD1hwwySMBBw</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

***

## Program schedule

**Doors open at 9:00 am!**

We’ll start promptly at 9:15 am and wrap up at noon. There will be breads, spreads, coffee, and tea!

### Welcome & Opening Speakers

`9:15 - 10:00 am`

*Confirmed Talks (10 minutes each)*

### [**Matt Arnold**](/community/matt-arnold)**, “**&#x44;esigning Meaning Together: The Need for Collaborative Sensemakin&#x67;**”**

Information architecture has always been about helping people make meaning and support understanding, but today's complexity demands that we design meaning together. Matt will introduce collaborative sensemaking as a critical layer of infrastructure for cross-disciplinary work and share the Group Bullseye framework as a practical takeaway for improving communication and collective clarity.

This keynote perfectly captures this year's global theme: Designing for Meaning — exploring how we create information experiences that resonate, connect, and create real value.

### [**Fiona O’Malley**](/community/fiona-omalley)**, “**&#x50;ractically Scaling User Research to Non-Researcher&#x73;**”**

Fiona will share practical, actionable ways to integrate UX research into everyday workflows, no large budgets or dedicated research teams required. She'll cover simple methods for embedding research into existing processes, strategies for involving non-researchers in meaningful ways, and approaches for conducting impactful research even when time and resources are limited.

### [**Lily Mathews**](/community/lily-mathews)**, “**&#x57;hat Lingers and Wh&#x79;**”**

What happens when we ask machines to decide what matters? Lily will share insights about research, noticing, and the grunt work where meaning gets made. A thought-provoking exploration of how we determine what information persists and why.

### Coffee break

`10:00 - 10:15 am`

### Discussion, networking, and activities

`10:15 - 11:00 am`

### Lightning talks (5 minutes each)

`11:00 - 11:40 am`

*Pre-scheduled Talks*

#### [**Drew Hicks**](/community/drew-hicks)**, “**&#x54;he Interface You Never Se&#x65;**”**

Drew will explore how the video game Arc Raiders uses an invisible feedback system to reshape the experience around player behavior and what that reveals about IA shaping experiences, not just interfaces. A fascinating look at how information architecture works behind the scenes to create meaningful interactions.

#### [**Erynn Petersen**](/community/erynn-petersen)**, “**&#x48;uman Connection as a P0 Design Requiremen&#x74;**”**

There is an opportunity in Information Architecture right now to drive the development of major systems to incorporate people and connection instead of treating connections between people as friction. Erynn will explore how we can seize this opportunity to design systems that prioritize human connection at their core.

#### [**Alec Thibodeau**](/community/alec-thibodeau)**, “**&#x4D;oon Space: Designing an Interactive Lunar Calenda&#x72;**”**

Alec will share how he designs, builds, and maintains Moon Space, a digital lunar calendar with real-world data that users can interact with online. This is a great example of designing meaningful experiences that connect people with information in engaging, accessible ways.

*Day-of Impromptu Talks*

### Synthesis, wrap-up, door prizes, good-byes

`11:40 am - 12:00 pm`

***

## Sponsors supporting Providence 2025

<table data-column-title-hidden data-view="cards" data-full-width="false"><thead><tr><th>NAME</th><th data-card-target data-type="content-ref">LINK</th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover-dark data-type="image">Cover image (dark)</th><th data-hidden data-type="image"></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="image">Cover image</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Bentley University - <em>Master’s in Human Factors in Information Design</em></td><td><a href="https://www.bentley.edu/graduate/landing/ux-hfid">https://www.bentley.edu/graduate/landing/ux-hfid</a></td><td></td><td></td><td><a href="/files/RzFMXPBoNT8ZpEukjaVB">/files/RzFMXPBoNT8ZpEukjaVB</a></td><td data-object-fit="contain"><a href="/files/RzFMXPBoNT8ZpEukjaVB">/files/RzFMXPBoNT8ZpEukjaVB</a></td></tr><tr><td>Humans Make Tech</td><td><a href="https://humansmake.tech/">https://humansmake.tech/</a></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td><a href="/files/0yfZwfhcJ9YqXIu1vl8N">/files/0yfZwfhcJ9YqXIu1vl8N</a></td></tr><tr><td>DESIGNxRI</td><td><a href="https://www.designxri.com/">https://www.designxri.com/</a></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td data-object-fit="contain"><a href="/files/wbPuosXvkSvNjQo5ddbd">/files/wbPuosXvkSvNjQo5ddbd</a></td></tr><tr><td>Oomph</td><td><a href="https://www.oomphinc.com/">https://www.oomphinc.com/</a></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td><a href="/files/8CWOIH4qR85BJ1ixOsBQ">/files/8CWOIH4qR85BJ1ixOsBQ</a></td></tr><tr><td>Brown Center for Digital Scholarship</td><td><a href="https://cds.lib.brown.edu/">https://cds.lib.brown.edu/</a></td><td></td><td data-object-fit="contain"><a href="/files/kkshr3nLZAiKzRAAGJaG">/files/kkshr3nLZAiKzRAAGJaG</a></td><td></td><td data-object-fit="contain"><a href="/files/8Edr55ug9YGyc6HopDPM">/files/8Edr55ug9YGyc6HopDPM</a></td></tr><tr><td>IxDF</td><td><a href="https://ixdf.org/">https://ixdf.org/</a></td><td></td><td data-object-fit="contain"><a href="/files/zhwspHkJg1T9Hh0x7tYT">/files/zhwspHkJg1T9Hh0x7tYT</a></td><td></td><td data-object-fit="contain"><a href="/files/9l6QkvnKrGRD1YolPpex">/files/9l6QkvnKrGRD1YolPpex</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

***

## Our team

Questions? Contact us at <providence@worldiaday.org>

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th>Name</th><th>Role</th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref">Link</th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="image">Cover image</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Erin White</strong></td><td>Lead Organizer</td><td><a href="/pages/dUTAMOgciiSoi5m2FPNO">/pages/dUTAMOgciiSoi5m2FPNO</a></td><td data-object-fit="contain"><a href="/files/Cldhh1BmjjMagHibTXSd">/files/Cldhh1BmjjMagHibTXSd</a></td></tr><tr><td>Gregory Kimbrell</td><td>Sponsorship</td><td></td><td data-object-fit="contain"><a href="/files/oFHLMEoqha7CjqksRqIS">/files/oFHLMEoqha7CjqksRqIS</a></td></tr><tr><td>Jen Davinack</td><td>Programming</td><td></td><td data-object-fit="contain"><a href="/files/nhDSAH1mRggsjNiR8j8L">/files/nhDSAH1mRggsjNiR8j8L</a></td></tr><tr><td>Mary Der Kosrofian</td><td>Outreach</td><td></td><td data-object-fit="contain"><a href="/files/XNl5YpXjSKFxsnfykMwN">/files/XNl5YpXjSKFxsnfykMwN</a></td></tr><tr><td>Drew Hicks</td><td>Location and Programming</td><td></td><td data-object-fit="contain"><a href="/files/M2vJdfUbem3hFaQqSsAj">/files/M2vJdfUbem3hFaQqSsAj</a></td></tr><tr><td>Brett Johnson</td><td>Programming</td><td></td><td data-object-fit="contain"><a href="/files/mQtxUOqgG983WS7VpHcZ">/files/mQtxUOqgG983WS7VpHcZ</a></td></tr><tr><td>Cayte Licazali</td><td>Outreach</td><td></td><td data-object-fit="contain"><a href="/files/8H9oYbErAtkTDygoyIp1">/files/8H9oYbErAtkTDygoyIp1</a></td></tr><tr><td>Nick Scappaticci</td><td>Logistics</td><td></td><td data-object-fit="contain"><a href="/files/m1P78bjkeVjsnAarYdL6">/files/m1P78bjkeVjsnAarYdL6</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

*Don’t live near Providence?* [*Find a World IA Day event in your area.*](https://www.worldiaday.org/events)


# Providence 2025

World IA Day Providence 2025. Explore past content.

World Information Architecture Day (WIAD) celebrates information architecture and shares knowledge and ideas from analogue to digital, from design to development, from students to practitioners, globally and locally on March 8, 2025.

## Date and time

Saturday, March 8, 2025 - 8:30am to 4pm Pacific

## Location

[**Sprout Coworking**](https://sproutcoworking.com/) (Olneyville)

166 Valley Street, Building 6M, Providence, RI 02909

**Parking:** Free parking is abundant! Park in any of the Rising Sun Mills lots. And here is a [**lofi parking map**](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jHFl7Ic9esWdudEk5Z1LQQ7nK4xv9Qmj/view?usp=drive_link) for your viewing pleasure.

**Public transit:** RIPTA routes 17, 19, 27, 29, 92

*Sprout is accessible for wheelchair users.*

***

## Call for speakers

If you would like to speak, prepare your talk ideas now and [submit a proposal](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScmEvlGLPavp7bvSKOPbUYExxt1ThKwcheXZE9B23DJ_gb_hA/viewform?usp=sharing) for WIAD Providence!

Most talk slots are full, but we are still accepting ideas for 5-minute lightning talks. [Last year’s conference](/events/providence-2024) might give you a good idea of what kinds of talks are fair game.

***

{% columns %}
{% column width="50%" %} <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/providence-ri-world-information-architecture-day-2025-tickets-1096847964789?utm-campaign=social&#x26;utm-content=attendeeshare&#x26;utm-medium=discovery&#x26;utm-term=listing&#x26;utm-source=cp&#x26;aff=ebdsshcopyurl" class="button primary" data-icon="tickets">Register</a>

Registration is required to attend

{% endcolumn %}

{% column width="50%" %} <a href="https://opencollective.com/worldiaday-providence/contribute/business-sponsor-world-ia-day-providence-2025-82196" class="button secondary" data-icon="hand-holding-heart">Donate or sponsor</a>

To make sure we can keep all our events free, make a donation today. All donations are tax-deductible.

{% endcolumn %}
{% endcolumns %}

***

## Speakers

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th>Name</th><th data-type="content-ref">Link</th><th>Company &#x26; title</th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="image">Cover image</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Clare Cady</td><td><a href="/pages/7nlRvOyeibs8jkJjsuZH">/pages/7nlRvOyeibs8jkJjsuZH</a></td><td>Associate Director of UX Research, <strong>Unite Us</strong></td><td><a href="/files/zAqci1czBgyD2ErdVLZi">/files/zAqci1czBgyD2ErdVLZi</a></td></tr><tr><td>Mike Eng</td><td><a href="/pages/ZaUf8rBcUSLGNaVPB1qF">/pages/ZaUf8rBcUSLGNaVPB1qF</a></td><td>Senior User Experience Designer/Researcher</td><td><a href="/files/7KpO9UnU5mRY1wxQ8523">/files/7KpO9UnU5mRY1wxQ8523</a></td></tr><tr><td>Asher Kolieboi</td><td><a href="/pages/nq1iposYFT6h1R9ui6Vk">/pages/nq1iposYFT6h1R9ui6Vk</a></td><td></td><td><a href="/files/eI27sTL2qT1xN62LOQ7k">/files/eI27sTL2qT1xN62LOQ7k</a></td></tr><tr><td>Erynn Petersen</td><td><a href="/pages/9t37hkaVyOABzrKJyZS8">/pages/9t37hkaVyOABzrKJyZS8</a></td><td>CEO, <strong>Emme</strong></td><td><a href="/files/AIp2pzbeDJVadv9jOSFE">/files/AIp2pzbeDJVadv9jOSFE</a></td></tr><tr><td>Mel Rainsberger</td><td><a href="/pages/mDKTzGdDOKDbqHJJ7NR6">/pages/mDKTzGdDOKDbqHJJ7NR6</a></td><td>Lead UX Designer, <strong>GeoVera</strong></td><td><a href="/files/BT7z0ZMCQy38JcNGrdAT">/files/BT7z0ZMCQy38JcNGrdAT</a></td></tr><tr><td>Stephen Szermer</td><td><a href="/pages/vmU3Zd4P4vx9YuJD0h4E">/pages/vmU3Zd4P4vx9YuJD0h4E</a></td><td>Chapter Director, <strong>Google Development Groups</strong></td><td><a href="/files/IAspr4Q580bsiRnuDDTN">/files/IAspr4Q580bsiRnuDDTN</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

***

## Program schedule

**Doors open at 8:30 am!**

We’ll start promptly at 9:00 am and wrap up at noon. There will be bagels, coffee, and tea!

`9:00 a.m.`

### Welcome

`9:15 a.m.`

### Speakers (15 minutes each)

*Confirmed Talks*

### [**Mike Eng**](/community/mike-eng)**, “How to Make Sense of a Messy Project Brief”**

When starting a project or starting to work with a new team, there’s a lot of information you need to get oriented, and usually it’s not all provided right away. Here are some things to look for and ways to get answers.

### [**Clare Cady**](/community/clare-cady)**, “Building a UX Research Repository That Works”**

“Hey, have we done any research on...?” is a common phrase UX researchers hear from designers, product managers, engineers, and senior leaders. It’s time consuming to dig through the archives to find past insights, and if your team has churn that institutional knowledge goes out the door.

The problem my team faced after years of data collection and research was: how do we continue to leverage our data over time and build a framework that is accessible to everyone?

This session outlines how the UX research team at Unite Us leveraged an AI tool to build a research repository that is searchable and effective for all team members across the company. The presentation will cover tool selection, protecting IP, training the AI model to provide accurate actionable results, and teaching team members how to use it.

### [**Stephen Szermer**](/community/stephen-szermer)**, “Designing Information Architecture for Digital Heirlooms: Preserving Knowledge Across Generations”**

This talk explores how Private Language addresses the challenge of preserving and transferring specialized knowledge across generations through innovative information architecture. I’ll examine how we’re tackling three key challenges:

* Structuring “heirloom datasets” that remain accessible and meaningful across time
* Balancing AI-assisted documentation with human expertise preservation
* Designing access control systems that support generational knowledge transfer

`10:00 am`

### Coffee break

10:15 am

### Discussion, networking, and activities

11:00 am

### Coffee break

11:15 am

### Lightning talks (5 minutes each)

*Pre-scheduled Talks*

#### [**Erynn Petersen**](/community/erynn-petersen)**, “Part 2: CPT Codes, the Killer Rabbit of Healthcare Meets Arthur”**

After our talk at last year’s World Information Architecture Day event, we built a platform that allows for upfront payments for doctors’ appointments, and then had to make the information architecture backwards compatible with the prevailing CPT codes. Here’s what happened.

#### [**Asher Kolieboi**](/community/asher-kolieboi)**, “Trust & Transparency: Accessible Information Architecture for Fintech Security”**

Security in fintech isn’t just about protecting data — it’s about making safety understandable and accessible for all users. My talk will highlight examples of accessibility challenges and wins in fintech.

#### [**Mel Rainsberger**](/community/mel-rainsberger)**, “Complexity as Colleague”**

Financial services like insurance don't necessarily benefit from a lightning-fast, uncomplicated process. Some interfaces can only be simplified so much. However, in the context of financial and official services user flows, this complexity is expected and can be utilized to deliver a powerful experience.

*Day-of Impromptu Talks*

**Jack Lenk, “Z Diagrams”**

**Scott Kubie, “P.O.N.Y. Your Portfolio”**

**Parker Sowersby, “Research in AI and Capstone”**

**Mackenzie Draper, “Great (Crazy) Expectations”**

`11:45 am`

### Wrap up, prize drawings, and goodbye

***

## Sponsors supporting Providence 2025

<table data-column-title-hidden data-view="cards" data-full-width="false"><thead><tr><th>NAME</th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="image">LOGO</th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref">LINK</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Oomph</td><td><a href="/files/8CWOIH4qR85BJ1ixOsBQ">/files/8CWOIH4qR85BJ1ixOsBQ</a></td><td><a href="https://www.oomphinc.com/">https://www.oomphinc.com/</a></td></tr><tr><td>Content Career Accelerator</td><td><a href="/files/Aa7dCVxGStGi3qiuQA5m">/files/Aa7dCVxGStGi3qiuQA5m</a></td><td><a href="https://contentcareeraccelerator.com/">https://contentcareeraccelerator.com/</a></td></tr><tr><td>Emme</td><td></td><td><a href="https://emme.com/">https://emme.com/</a></td></tr><tr><td>Humans Make Tech</td><td><a href="/files/0yfZwfhcJ9YqXIu1vl8N">/files/0yfZwfhcJ9YqXIu1vl8N</a></td><td><a href="https://humansmake.tech/">https://humansmake.tech/</a></td></tr><tr><td>World IA Day Boston</td><td><a href="/files/3q4Z16u8QJR8L06eUra1">/files/3q4Z16u8QJR8L06eUra1</a></td><td><a href="https://www.worldiaday.org/events/boston">https://www.worldiaday.org/events/boston</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

***

## Our team

<table data-card-size="large" data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th>Name</th><th>Role</th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref">Link</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Erin White</td><td></td><td><a href="/pages/dUTAMOgciiSoi5m2FPNO">/pages/dUTAMOgciiSoi5m2FPNO</a></td></tr><tr><td>Jen Davinack</td><td></td><td><a href="/pages/4de54isIvyDd22YcQ3tY">/pages/4de54isIvyDd22YcQ3tY</a></td></tr><tr><td>Gregory Kimbrell</td><td></td><td><a href="/pages/uvyOOq4JNSNZmsRoJghY">/pages/uvyOOq4JNSNZmsRoJghY</a></td></tr><tr><td>Nick Scappaticci</td><td></td><td><a href="/pages/ckLeGiHLUTksQMi5jmKj">/pages/ckLeGiHLUTksQMi5jmKj</a></td></tr></tbody></table>


# Providence 2024

World IA Day Providence 2024. Explore past content.

World IA Day is the one day a year the information architecture, UX, design, and content communities get together for a global conference with many local celebrations, curated and organized by volunteers around the world.

## Date and time

Saturday, March 2, 2024 - 9 a.m. to noon Eastern

## Location

**Sprout Coworking - Olneyville**\
166 Valley St Building 6M Suite 103, Providence, RI 02909

[Map directions](https://maps.app.goo.gl/gvJDPcfuymYmyoiA7)&#x20;

***

{% columns %}
{% column %} <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/world-information-architecture-day-2024-providence-tickets-811956994227" class="button primary" data-icon="tickets">Register</a>

The event is over, but you can still see the event details on Eventbrite.
{% endcolumn %}

{% column %} <a href="https://opencollective.com/worldiaday-providence/contribute" class="button secondary" data-icon="hand-holding-heart">Donate to WIAD Providence</a>

To make sure we can keep all our events free, make a donation today. All donations are tax-deductible.
{% endcolumn %}
{% endcolumns %}

***

## Speakers

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th>Name</th><th>Company</th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref">Link</th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="image">Cover image</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Scott Kubie</td><td></td><td><a href="/pages/X4iGQsTEOBBiROXG9LPl">/pages/X4iGQsTEOBBiROXG9LPl</a></td><td><a href="/files/GgudzA9N4aNzmlltnLM2">/files/GgudzA9N4aNzmlltnLM2</a></td></tr><tr><td>J. Hogue</td><td></td><td></td><td><a href="/files/JUC1zjaGfqhF0KynHmxu">/files/JUC1zjaGfqhF0KynHmxu</a></td></tr><tr><td>Marissa Epstein</td><td></td><td></td><td><a href="/files/xgC9LWdrDwghS2HwwNjT">/files/xgC9LWdrDwghS2HwwNjT</a></td></tr><tr><td>Erynn Petersen</td><td></td><td><a href="/pages/9t37hkaVyOABzrKJyZS8">/pages/9t37hkaVyOABzrKJyZS8</a></td><td><a href="/files/AIp2pzbeDJVadv9jOSFE">/files/AIp2pzbeDJVadv9jOSFE</a></td></tr><tr><td>Clinton Van Arnam</td><td></td><td></td><td><a href="/files/MoVby2ytVlQ3vI3J8ZGc">/files/MoVby2ytVlQ3vI3J8ZGc</a></td></tr><tr><td>Gabriel Drozdov</td><td></td><td></td><td><a href="/files/rv2ou7Ckl4CawSVgm2Ye">/files/rv2ou7Ckl4CawSVgm2Ye</a></td></tr><tr><td>Steph Orme</td><td></td><td></td><td><a href="/files/dTfxSLU8WZawVFcwAbdw">/files/dTfxSLU8WZawVFcwAbdw</a></td></tr><tr><td>Jeremy Ferris</td><td></td><td></td><td><a href="/files/fgaKPOpVXzePTzmL8WFo">/files/fgaKPOpVXzePTzmL8WFo</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

***

## Program schedule

### **Doors open at 8:30!**

We'll start promptly at 9 a.m. and wrap up at noon.

There will be bagels, coffee, and tea!

`9-9:15 a.m.`

### Welcome

`9:15 a.m.`

### Scott Kubie: What Even Is a Website?

Websites. We work on them. Visit them. Use them and load them. Build them and code them. Design and redesign, launch and relaunch.

But what \*are\* they?

The dictionary definition of website isn’t very useful when it comes to understanding the contexts our stakeholders, audiences, and collaborators use to think about the web. Metaphors to the rescue!

The most popular metaphors draw from the building arts — “build” a website, information “architecture”. But these construction metaphors tend to emphasize the people creating websites more than those using them, or relying on them to meet their business goals.

So let’s try out some new ones. In this session, content strategy’s King of Swords (it’s a whole thing, you’ll have to ask) Scott Kubie will share seven fresh metaphors that offer new contexts for talking about the role and nature of websites in our lives.

Speaker: [Scott Kubie](/community/scott-kubie)

`9:35 a.m.`

### J. Hogue: How a Design Agency Approaches IA

*Coauthors: Ashley Estes, Alyssa Varsanyi*

Digital agencies approach IA differently from academic institutions, government, Marketing agencies, and internal project teams managing large volumes of content. Oomph is a digital design and development agency that focuses on clients in the health and wellness, higher education, government & municipalities, cultural institutions, and environmental non-profits. Even with that range of clientele, we have a unified approach when it comes to information architecture.

Information Architecture is an important aspect of setting customer expectations and communicating initial Voice and Tone of the company's brand. Our approach meets customer's with sections in the IA that feel "intuitive" but also ones that provide "surprise" unique to the client's business.

Speaker: [J. Hogue](/community/j.-hogue)

`9:55 a.m.`

### Marissa Epstein: It Depends: Adapting systems across contexts

Strategists often face criticism for offering such vague responses like “it depends”. However, web experiences truly do depend on a multitude of diverse elements: who is using a site, their goals, device and connection speeds, other expectations, ability, and even mood– not to mention the myriad of factors within each unique project. How can we ensure that our work will genuinely meet user needs and deliver value?

Aligned with WIAD’s 2024 theme of “Context”, User Experience Strategist Marissa Epstein explores the importance of understanding different situations in crafting inclusive and adaptable systems. Join her talk for the what, the why, and the how of adapting experiences across contexts, supported by tangible examples and a touch of nonsense.

Speaker: Marissa Epstein

`10:15 a.m.`

Coffee Break!

`10:30 a.m.`

### Lightning Talks! (5 minutes each)

#### [**Erynn Petersen**](/community/erynn-petersen)**: CPT Codes: The Killer Rabbit of Healthcare**

Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes dictate what treatments get reimbuseed in healthcare. Medical practitioners can't get paid for a procedure unless they can get reimbursed for a procedure. Started with good intent (making it easier to process reimbursement for services) CPT codes now dictate everything from the services you receive, to the services that are recommended. Could the Amazon ASIN/ISBN model provide a way forward toward a competing information structure?

#### **Clinton Van Arnam: inourti.me**

inourti.me is a project that uses facial recognition technology to monitor the user's eye movements using their computer's camera. Each time the user blinks, the system not only generates a new daily headline from the New York Times, but also initiates a timer to measure the duration the user spends reading this headline. The time taken to read the headline influences the next interaction: the longer the reading time, the more intense and noisy the sound generated upon the user's subsequent blink. The use of consumer-grade equipment to track involuntary body movements, raises questions about vulnerability, privacy, hyperstimulation, and surveillance in our heavily media-influenced world.

#### **Jeremy Ferris: Migrating a Library's Digital Repository**

In this session I will talk about the migration of Providence Public Library's 18,000 item digital repository onto Islandora 8, a Drupal based content management system from an out-of-date legacy version of the platform. In addition to a general overview of the project, I'll talk about the process from my perspective within the library including communication between developers and those with expertise in other fields, how decisions are made, successes and challenges. I'll open a discussion to learn about how the work of developers and clients can be in alignment, and thinking about the parts of one another's work that are not apparent to the other.

`11:05 a.m.`

### Gabriel Drozdov: Website As Stage: What performance studies can teach us about user experience

Modern-day web design usually consists of a few columns of vertically scrolling content, sometimes referred to as the “holy grail” layout. Occasionally, we’ll see something out of the ordinary — an interactive 3D model for example — but in most cases these disruptions to the norm don’t fundamentally change the site’s user experience. The mission is still to give users as much content as possible with as little friction as possible.

What if instead we reconsidered the entire idea of a website to focus on the user experience itself, not on the content? In this talk, Gabriel Drozdov will talk about how unconventional UI/UX decisions can reshape the meaning and impact of websites, transforming the user’s relationship to content. By pulling ideas from performance studies, we can design websites to function like stages or theaters where meaning is generated through a user’s interaction with content, not just through their consumption of content.

By shifting our perspective in this way, we can ask exciting new questions: What does it mean for a web page to scroll horizontally, not vertically? What if the page doesn’t scroll at all, and the user moves like they’re in a video game? What if the page doesn’t always tell the user the truth? To tackle these questions and more, Gabriel will share examples from the design and development processes for his own work and the field at large.

Speaker: Gabriel Drozdov

`11:25 a.m.`&#x20;

### Steph Orme: How video games are leveling up accessibility

Over the last decade, video games have made large strides in making gaming more accessible to players with a wide range of disabilities, both visible and non-visible. From high contrast color settings to control remapping, game developers are working to further empower their players by giving them in-game cues and customizability. Steph will draw on over a decade of her research on video games, player psychology, and gaming culture to highlight some notable examples of how accessibility features are enhancing information architecture in today's video games.

But how do we build in all of these features while still maintaining the immersive quality of gaming? In the spirit of the conference theme, "Context," Steph will discuss the tensions between accessibility in games and immersion.

Even if you're not a game developer or a gamer, many of the topics discussed span the broader context of digital platforms and technology.

Speaker: Steph Orme

`11:45 a.m.`

### Wrap up, prize drawings and goodbye

***

## Sponsors supporting Providence 2024

<table data-column-title-hidden data-view="cards" data-full-width="false"><thead><tr><th>NAME</th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref">LINK</th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="image">Cover image</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Oomph</td><td><a href="https://www.oomphinc.com/">https://www.oomphinc.com/</a></td><td><a href="/files/8CWOIH4qR85BJ1ixOsBQ">/files/8CWOIH4qR85BJ1ixOsBQ</a></td></tr><tr><td>Humans Make Tech</td><td><a href="https://humansmake.tech/">https://humansmake.tech/</a></td><td><a href="/files/0yfZwfhcJ9YqXIu1vl8N">/files/0yfZwfhcJ9YqXIu1vl8N</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

***

## Our team

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th>Name</th><th>Role</th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref">Link</th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="image">Cover image</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Erin White</td><td></td><td><a href="/pages/dUTAMOgciiSoi5m2FPNO">/pages/dUTAMOgciiSoi5m2FPNO</a></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Jen Davinack</td><td></td><td><a href="/pages/4de54isIvyDd22YcQ3tY">/pages/4de54isIvyDd22YcQ3tY</a></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>


# Get involved

Join the World IA Day LOCATION volunteer team! Help organize our information architecture community event and connect with local practitioners.

Our events are made possible by passionate volunteers, knowledgeable speakers, and dedicated organizers who contribute their time and expertise to advance the practice of IA.

{% hint style="info" %}
Some content ideas for the Get involved page. Feel free to make this your own.
{% endhint %}

* What volunteer opportunities typically exist for World IA Day <code class="expression">space.vars.LocationName</code>?
  * Event planning roles?
  * Day-of-event support?
  * Year-round activities?
  * Content creation/social media?
* What's the typical time commitment you want to communicate for different roles?
* Do you have an application process or is it more informal "email us" approach?
* What skills or experience do you look for in volunteers? Or do you welcome everyone regardless of experience?
* Are there other ways to get involved beyond organizing the annual event? Are there local meetups, ongoing community activities, etc. where people could get involved with?
* What benefits or value do volunteers get from participating? Networking, experience, community, etc.


# J. Hogue

Speaker

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/BHUwVamPatM38cMP224D" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

J. has over 20 years of experience in design and user experience and is currently the Director of Design & UX at Oomph, leading a team of digital platform experts with strategic thinking, cutting-edge UX practices, and visual design. At Oomph, he has worked with all sizes of business, from national brands to local non-profits, in the health, education, cultural institution, and new technology sectors.

### Community Involvement

* 2024, Speaker, [/pages/GSerqArTeusQ4H327jre#j.-hogue-how-a-design-agency-approaches-ia](https://providence.worldiaday.org/community/pages/GSerqArTeusQ4H327jre#j.-hogue-how-a-design-agency-approaches-ia "mention")
* Sponsor, [Providence 2024](/events/providence-2024), [Providence 2025](/events/providence-2025)

### Connect

* <i class="fa-linkedin">:linkedin:</i> LinkedIn: <https://www.linkedin.com/in/jhogue/>


# Scott Kubie

Speaker

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/GgudzA9N4aNzmlltnLM2" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

**Scott Kubie** is a designer who writes, and is the author of *Writing for Designers*. Since 2010, he's delivered over 100 public talks and workshops on writing, content strategy, information architecture, and user experience design. He organizes the Content.Events community, teaches content strategy for the School of Visual Concepts and UX writing for the School of Visual Arts, and leads the Content Career Accelerator. Scott can be found online at [kubie.co](http://kubie.co/).

### Community Involvement

* 2024, Speaker, [Providence 2024](/events/providence-2024#scott-kubie-what-even-is-a-website)

### Connect

* <i class="fa-globe-pointer">:globe-pointer:</i> Website: <http://kubie.co/>
* <i class="fa-linkedin">:linkedin:</i> LinkedIn: <https://www.linkedin.com/in/kubie/>


# Stephen Szermer

Speaker

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/IAspr4Q580bsiRnuDDTN" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

**Stephen** is a strategic UX designer with a passion for humanizing complex, enterprise-scale experiences within regulated industries such as healthcare, finance, and maritime operations.

### Community Involvement

* YYYY, Speaker, "[TALK TITLE](/events/location-yyyy#hh-mm-am-pm-talk-title-speaker-s)"&#x20;
* 2025, Speaker, [Providence 2025](/events/providence-2025#stephen-szermer-designing-information-architecture-for-digital-heirlooms-preserving-knowledge-across)

### Connect

* <i class="fa-linkedin">:linkedin:</i> LinkedIn: <https://www.linkedin.com/in/szermer/>


# Mel Rainsberger

Speaker

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/BT7z0ZMCQy38JcNGrdAT" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

**Mel** is a lead UX designer in the insurance industry and develops everything from user flows to intuitive dashboards, modernizing insurance with current accessibility standards to meet 21st-century consumer expectations.

### Community Involvement

* YYYY, Speaker, "[TALK TITLE](/events/location-yyyy#hh-mm-am-pm-talk-title-speaker-s)"&#x20;
* 2025, Speaker, [Providence 2025](/events/providence-2025#mel-rainsberger-complexity-as-colleague)

### Connect

* <i class="fa-linkedin">:linkedin:</i> LinkedIn: <https://www.linkedin.com/in/melindarainsberger/>


# Erynn Petersen

Speaker

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/AIp2pzbeDJVadv9jOSFE" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

**Erynn** is a seasoned technology executive with over two decades of experience leading teams at top companies. Her extensive background showcases a commitment to leveraging technology to drive impactful change across various industries, and she’s currently bringing that to bear on healthcare.

### Community Involvement

* 2026, Speaker, "Human Connection as a P0 Design Requirement"
* 2025, Speaker, [Providence 2025](/events/providence-2025#erynn-petersen-part-2-cpt-codes-the-killer-rabbit-of-healthcare-meets-arthur)

### Connect

* <i class="fa-linkedin">:linkedin:</i> LinkedIn: <https://www.linkedin.com/in/erynn-petersen-599502/>


# Lily Mathews

Speaker

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/eoc0zDujUeuJxNxEFVFA" alt="" width="188"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

With roots in performance and playwriting, **Lily** is a professional people-watcher, helping organizations from all sectors and sizes understand who they serve and what motivates them.

### Community Involvement

* 2026, Speaker, "What Lingers and Why"

### Connect

* <i class="fa-globe-pointer">:globe-pointer:</i> Website: <https://www.from-forward.com/>


# Fiona O'Malley

Speaker

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/Hz01f78LQD1hwwySMBBw" alt="" width="199"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

**Fiona** is a UX Researcher & Consultant with 10+ years of experience driving research strategy, research operations, and cross-functional collaboration across enterprise environments. From healthcare to finance to SaaS, she's helped global teams embed customer\
empathy into every stage of the product lifecycle.

### Community Involvement

* 2026, Speaker, "Practically Scaling User Research to Non-Researchers"

### Connect

* <i class="fa-linkedin">:linkedin:</i> LinkedIn: <https://www.linkedin.com/in/fionacomalley/>


# Alec Thibodeau

Speaker

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/tgZrkXUPYPk1np8K8Y1o" alt="" width="188"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

When he's not writing software for interactive projects with JavaScript, CSS and HTML **Alec** is making drawings with traditional tools or creating designs with digital techniques. His software focus is front-end web development, the user experience, user interfaces, digital accessibility and responsive web design.

### Community Involvement

* 2026, Speaker, "Moon Space: Designing an Interactive Lunar Calendar"

### Connect

* <i class="fa-linkedin">:linkedin:</i> LinkedIn: <https://www.linkedin.com/in/alecthibodeau/>


# Drew Hicks

Speaker, Organizer

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/eUuP8qjU44ptmumLvgva" alt="" width="188"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

**Drew** is a UX Designer with 10+ years experience leading creative projects. He helps companies raise design standards and make products that customers love to use.

### Community Involvement

* 2026, Speaker, "The Interface You Never See"
* Organizer, [Providence 2026](/events/providence-2026)

### Connect

* <i class="fa-linkedin">:linkedin:</i> LinkedIn: <https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewchicks/>


# Asher Kolieboi

Speaker, Volunteer, Organizer, Mentor, ...

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/eI27sTL2qT1xN62LOQ7k" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

**Asher** is a user research and data analyst with experience in financial and civic tech.

### Community Involvement

* 2025, Speaker, [Providence 2025](/events/providence-2025#asher-kolieboi-trust-and-transparency-accessible-information-architecture-for-fintech-security)

### Connect

* <i class="fa-linkedin">:linkedin:</i> LinkedIn: <https://www.linkedin.com/in/asherkolieboi/>


# Clare Cady

Speaker

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/zAqci1czBgyD2ErdVLZi" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

Clare is a researcher, writer, and public speaker, who is passionate about leveraging technology to solve challenging social problems humans face today and in the future.

### Community Involvement

* 2025, Speaker, [Providence 2025](/events/providence-2025#clare-cady-building-a-ux-research-repository-that-works)

### Connect

* <i class="fa-linkedin">:linkedin:</i> LinkedIn: <https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-cady-81b66257/>


# Mike Eng

Speaker

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/7KpO9UnU5mRY1wxQ8523" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

Mike loves solving tricky UX problems and leading teams at mission-driven organizations.

### Community Involvement

* 2025, Speaker, [Providence 2025](/events/providence-2025#mike-eng-how-to-make-sense-of-a-messy-project-brief)

### Connect

* <i class="fa-globe-pointer">:globe-pointer:</i> Website:  <https://mike-eng.com/>
* <i class="fa-linkedin">:linkedin:</i> LinkedIn: <https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeeng401/>


# Erin White

Organizer of World IA Day Providence

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/BHUwVamPatM38cMP224D" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

Short bio

### Community Involvement

* Organizer, [Providence 2024](/events/providence-2024), [Providence 2025](/events/providence-2025), [Providence 2026](/events/providence-2026)

### Connect

* <i class="fa-globe-pointer">:globe-pointer:</i> Website:&#x20;
* <i class="fa-instagram">:instagram:</i> Instagram:&#x20;
* <i class="fa-linkedin">:linkedin:</i> LinkedIn:&#x20;
* <i class="fa-x-twitter">:x-twitter:</i> X/Twitter:
* <i class="fa-medium">:medium:</i> Medium:
* <i class="fa-bluesky">:bluesky:</i> Bluesky


# Jen Davinack

Organizer of World IA Day Providence

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/BHUwVamPatM38cMP224D" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

Short bio

### Community Involvement

* Organizer, [Providence 2024](/events/providence-2024), [Providence 2025](/events/providence-2025)

### Connect

* <i class="fa-globe-pointer">:globe-pointer:</i> Website:&#x20;
* <i class="fa-instagram">:instagram:</i> Instagram:&#x20;
* <i class="fa-linkedin">:linkedin:</i> LinkedIn:&#x20;
* <i class="fa-x-twitter">:x-twitter:</i> X/Twitter:
* <i class="fa-medium">:medium:</i> Medium:
* <i class="fa-bluesky">:bluesky:</i> Bluesky


# Nick Scappaticci

Speaker, Volunteer, Organizer, Mentor, ...

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/BHUwVamPatM38cMP224D" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

Founder, Big Dream

### Community Involvement

* YYYY, Speaker, "[TALK TITLE](/events/location-yyyy#hh-mm-am-pm-talk-title-speaker-s)"&#x20;
* Organizer, [Providence 2025](/events/providence-2025)

### Connect

* <i class="fa-globe-pointer">:globe-pointer:</i> Website:&#x20;
* <i class="fa-instagram">:instagram:</i> Instagram:&#x20;
* <i class="fa-linkedin">:linkedin:</i> LinkedIn:&#x20;
* <i class="fa-x-twitter">:x-twitter:</i> X/Twitter:
* <i class="fa-medium">:medium:</i> Medium:
* <i class="fa-bluesky">:bluesky:</i> Bluesky


# Gregory Kimbrell

Speaker, Volunteer, Organizer, Mentor, ...

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/BHUwVamPatM38cMP224D" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

Short bio

### Community Involvement

* Organizer, [Providence 2025](/events/providence-2025)

### Connect

* <i class="fa-globe-pointer">:globe-pointer:</i> Website:&#x20;
* <i class="fa-instagram">:instagram:</i> Instagram:&#x20;
* <i class="fa-linkedin">:linkedin:</i> LinkedIn:&#x20;
* <i class="fa-x-twitter">:x-twitter:</i> X/Twitter:
* <i class="fa-medium">:medium:</i> Medium:
* <i class="fa-bluesky">:bluesky:</i> Bluesky