AIA celebrates 150 years

Maureen Alley
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This year the American Institute of Architects celebrates 150 years of service with continued emphasis on the importance of good design.


Smith, on the other hand, was encouraged by his boss. “He was the president of the St. Petersburg section of the Tampa Bay Chapter. Through meetings and things like that I ended up becoming an officer,” Smith says. After Smith moved to Sarasota, he took a few years off before getting involved in the Gulf Coast Chapter. Here he held positions as chapter director, vice president and then president.

Meyer adds that one of the benefits AIA offers its members is the ability to choose how actively they participate. “It can be used as only a resource without actively participating. You can use its contracts, knowledge areas on the website, go to conventions, and partake in continuing education — a more passive function. Or if you want to get involved, if you have a passion for something, AIA is great for that, too. Here in Minnesota we have 23 different committees working on state and regional issues. If you want to go to meetings, make something happen in your community or meet like-minded people, there’s a lot of opportunity,” he says.

Both presidents say the networking opportunities offered by being a member of AIA are rewarding. “I enjoy the camaraderie and meeting other architects. We get together and share war stories. It’s a healing process to know that you’re not the only one out there with problems or challenges with building officials, owners or contractors,” Smith says.

Smith explains that there are two types of networking: office networking and business networking. “Sharing ideas professionally is office networking. Then there’s business networking. As an AIA officer, I’ve spoken before the county commission, city commission, city planning board and county planning board. I’ve been interviewed by magazines, newspapers and TV. That has all helped in name recognition and is an opportunity to get your [business] name out there,” he says.

In the end, both chapter presidents find that being a member of AIA is a great resource for education, networking and growth. “AIA provides a way to distinguish yourself and show that you’re at the top of your game. It’s a terrific way to advance yourself through membership both from a layer of prestige but particularly for the resources and connection,” Meyer says.

Smith adds that AIA is the only professional organization that’s looking out for the best interest of architects. “The larger our numbers, the stronger we are. Without the AIA, you wouldn’t have the great documents, or the voice in Washington,” he says. “It’s a great way to be represented. [Architects] will enjoy it.”

2007 Expo and Convention

This year’s AIA convention will be held in San Antonio May 3-5, and attendance expectations are slightly lower from last year. “Contributing factors are that the concentration of AIA members in the Pacific Southwest [where it was held in 2006] is higher than that of the Texas Region. We still expect to get close to the record-breaking attendance that was achieved in 2006. Overall, our goal is for roughly 14,000-plus professional attendees,” says Chris Gribbs, Associate AIA, senior director of conventions for AIA.

In regard to exhibit space, AIA fully maximized the space in the convention center. “In fact, ballrooms, galleries and all expo halls will be jammed packed with the newest building and design products,” he says. AIA expects 780 exhibitors with 198,300 sq. ft. of space.

Most architects attend the show for the educational resources and to get up-to-date on their continuing education requirements. “In addition to the 60- and 90-minute education seminars, full- and half-day workshops, CE Theatre and Expo Education on the show floor, we offer a number of one-hour seminars on materials and methods in the Lila Cockrell Theatre with seating over 1,400 to meet the preregistration demand,” Gibbs adds.

This year’s convention theme is Growing Beyond Green. “This explores the increasing importance of how building sustainability shapes every aspect of the community life and our industry,” he says. To complement the theme, multiple presentations and speakers such as Al Gore, who will speak on Sat., May 5 at 3:30 p.m., will focus on sustainable design. Other themed speakers include David Suzuki on Thu., May 3 at 8:15 a.m., and Chrisna du Plessis and William Reed, AIA will speak on Fri., May 4 at 10 a.m.

Some hot sessions or seminars to keep an eye out for include: Integrating Acoustics and Technology in High Performance Interiors; Architectural Fabric Structures; Airflow Modeling: An Essential Part of an Integrated Sustainability; Concrete for Cool Communities; and, Hit the 50 Percent Reduction Mark Using Today’s BIM Tools.

When asked what aspect of the show Gibbs was most excited about, he expressed going paperless. “[I’m excited about] going paperless with handouts and evaluations! And, Al Gore’s presentation and the interest among preregistrants in the 60-minute format and materials/methods topics,” he adds. “[I’m also looking forward] to traveling to San Antonio and all that it offers to visitors.”

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