Designing the Future: MKSK’s 7th Annual Summit Sparks Innovation and Connection

MKSK’s 7th annual Design Summit united voices from across our 12 studios in a dynamic celebration of design, sparking bold ideas, meaningful connections, and a shared vision for shaping more vibrant, resilient communities.

MKSK proudly hosted its 7th annual Design Summit — a dynamic, two-day event dedicated to igniting creativity, fostering meaningful collaboration, and deepening our shared commitment to impactful design and planning. Gathering team members from across our 12 studios, the Summit served as an invaluable platform to explore emerging ideas, celebrate collective achievements, and reaffirm the power of design to shape more vibrant, resilient, and inclusive communities.

The first day of the Summit began with a thoughtful presentation on MKSK’s internal Storytelling Initiative, led by Staff Council Co-Chairs Alisa Burnside and Casey Elmer. Attendees then embarked on a curated tour of MKSK’s landmark projects in Downtown Columbus — including the Arena District and the Scioto Peninsula Cultural District — offering space for reflection, idea exchange, and camaraderie among colleagues from every corner of the firm.

On the second day, hosted at the Columbus Museum of Art, attendees were inspired by keynote speakers Ruth Milligan, founder of Articulation, who offered expert insights on communication, storytelling, and presence, and Claudia West, Partner at Phyto Studio, who shared her internationally recognized perspective on ecological planting design. The day also featured reflections from MKSK Principals Darren Meyer and Andy Knight, and Associate Principal Cullen Meves, who recounted the unique origin stories of our Greenville/Atlanta, Louisville, and Cleveland studios. Through interactive sessions and open dialogue, the Summit reinforced a shared vision for the future — one rooted in innovation, collaboration, and purpose-driven design.