Back in MN after the best week of Chief Architect training! I first learned about this program over 7 years ago when I was working at a residential remodeling company. When I started Willaby Way back in 2020, it was one of the first investments I made for my business. With Chief Architect, I’ve been mainly self-taught, other than watching lots of their online tutorials, but I have always wanted to attend their in-person training.
Chief Architect Training
Chief Academy is the annual event Chief Architect hosts in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, which is also their headquarters. The event includes 2‑day training classes (introductory to advanced), a half‑day training lab, and social networking events to connect with their team and other users of the program. They also offer an option to purchase a guest pass for the evening receptions, and I loved that my sister was able to join me for this trip.
Welcome Reception
During the welcome reception, we got to meet members of the team, hear about new features, and test out new products. It was a great chance to register early, connect with other attendees, and prepare for the training ahead.
Training Day One
I registered for the Kitchen, Bath, and Interiors Intermediate training, and on the first day, we focused on kitchens. We worked through a project using the tools we were learning, which was a great way to practice our skills in real time. Although Chief Architect has so many videos in their tutorial library, it was really helpful to be in person to learn from their trainers who know and use the program so well.
We went over file management, layouts, saved plan views, ways to customize cabinets and countertops, default settings, schedules, notes, and templates. My notebook was filled with takeaways I can’t wait to implement.
River Evening Networking Reception
Another aspect I loved about the Chief Architect Training was the opportunity to connect with so many other designers, builders, and remodelers across the country. After the first full day of training, we attended an evening reception at a local restaurant on the river, which was so beautiful and fun.
Tubbs Hill Morning Hike
On the second day of training, we started the morning early with a hike around Tubbs Hill. It was a great way to kick off a day of training by getting some fresh air and seeing the beautiful scenery of Coeur d’Alene.
Training Day Two
During the second day of Chief Architect training, we focused on bathrooms, including tile layouts and custom vanities. We also learned about rendering techniques, creating custom tile materials through Substance Player, ceilings, stairs, and more.
Evening Lake Cruise & Reception
The evening lake cruise and reception was one of my favorite parts of the networking portion of Chief Academy. We set out on a boat cruise from the Coeur d’Alene Resort and spent the evening connecting with other attendees at a beautiful venue with delicious food. The team members of Chief Architect put together a “Chief Challenge,” and all of the attendees were broken into teams to complete the challenge using the new skills we had learned. It was a fun way to celebrate all we had learned and spend time with Chief Architect’s team and the other attendees.
Lab Day Session
For the final session of Chief Architect Training, we had a Lab Day with tech support and trainers to get our individual questions answered and work through any issues.
This was SUCH a great experience, and I cannot recommend it enough! If you use Chief Architect in your business, you would get so much out of this training. Their team is so knowledgable and helpful, and they really want you to succeed in your business and use of the program. I also loved getting to meet others who use the program and brainstorm ways to improve our businesses.
Coeur d’Alene
The town of Coeur d’Alene is picturesque! My sister and I enjoyed walking and shopping through the cute downtown, exploring some local coffee shops, and going on a couple of hikes. I’d love to come back here for an anniversary trip with my husband or for another year of Chief Architect training!
