Howard, a member of the American Society of Architectural Illustrators (ASAI), participated in its annual conference in Toronto in October 2015. This gathering celebrated the organization's 30th year of its juried exhibition. At the events opening night he had the opportunity to discuss his business, experiences and craft with some of the world's most accomplished and recognized architectural illustrators. The following day Howard lead the conference attendees on an impromptu tour of the historic St. George campus of the University of Toronto (UofT). Afterward, he found a little time to sketching the Trinity College Quadrant as well as spire of St. James Cathedral.

At various points throughout the conference Howard was able to speak with illustrators Mike McCann; Frank Constantino; Christopher Grubbs; Henry E. Sorenson and Wesley L. Page, all masters of their profession. Through these conversations a theme emerged; it centred on hand illustration, and its continued importance in conveying ideas to clients and design colleagues. Even in a world where computer-generated images have become so seductive for final presentation drawings, the role of the hand illustrator is paramount is in giving the design its conceptual essence.