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Hello AIA Members!
 This economic crisis is really hitting AIA members hard. So many of you have been laid off, firms are cutting back hours, not paying membership dues to associations… whatever it takes to keep your business open. This is affecting ALL FIRMS, large and small.
We have a few suggestions, some basic and some out of the box – again whatever it takes to get us all through this difficult time. Talk to your employees, don’t leave them wondering if they have a job – give employees as much notice as possible. Write them a recommendation letter to help them.
If worst comes to worse and rent is too much, share office space, receptionist and other resources. Firms that have been fortunate enough to book projects, if you need a little extra help – call on a firm you know needs some work. They will not be offended or feel you are throwing them a bone; they will appreciate it more than you will ever know.
If you have been laid off – get out there and network. Print your own business card at home so you have something to hand that new contact you meet (who might be a lead to a job).
There is a positive side to this financial crisis…it is bringing us all together, making us work closer and think outside the box more and makes us really appreciate what really matters in life. If you have a little extra, remember to share – you might need someone to share with you one day.
Peace,
Rhea Williams
Executive Director
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Use this downtime in your office to organize, clean out (architects tend to be pack rats), study for LEED, get updated on new products, LEARN something new, review your Business Plan. |
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ACE Program –
Architects – Contractors – Engineers
Get Involved!
Mega Networking event
www.acementor.org |
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AIA Birmingham makes NATIONAL NEWS AGAIN!
Congratulations AIA Birmingham! AIA Birmingham will be presenting at National AIA Grass Roots this Saturday. Trevor Matchett, Immediate Past President and Fred Yeager, current AIA President will present “Non Dues Revenue”. Over 100 attendees have registered for this session.
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2009 Sponsors – Thank You!
We would like to thank the following companies for renewing their sponsorships in 2009. Your support is greatly appreciated!
 Platinum Sponsors Silver Sponsors
Alabama Graphics ACS, LLC
ALACAD Block USA
Crow Friedman Group Marvin Windows
CRS Engineering, Inc. Sain Associates
The Sanders Trust
Walter Hopkins Co.
Walter Schoel Engineering
 We would also like to thank and welcome our new sponsors!
NEW Gold Sponsors – Lighting Partnership
MBA Structural Engineers, Inc
NEW Silver Sponsors – Charles and Vinzant Construction
LAI Engineering
Qore Engineering
2009 SAVE THE DATES
February 17th 4 Hour 4HSW’s Seminar
Hosted by Crow Friedman Group
The Club
11:30 – 1:00 Lunch/chapter meeting only
$20 members $30 non-members $15 interns
Attend All Sessions
$55 members $80 non-member’s
8:45 - 8:50 - Opening Comments
8:50 - 9:50 - Bob Van Arsdall - "Escaping the Wal-Marting of Design"
9:50 - 10:05 - Break
10:05 - 10:35 - "Escaping the Wal-Marting of Design" (Continued)
10:35 - 11:15 - A/E Issues - as it relates to Risk Management - Mike Jackson & Bob Van Arsdall
11:30 - 11:45 - AIA President Remarks
11:45 - 1:00 - Claims Case Study / Q & A - Mike Jackson / Skip Laney, Esq.
March 10th Architect panel for Sponsors
O’Kafes. 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Click here for more info on being a sponsor
 March 10th ACE Mega Networking Event
Barking Kudu
5:30 – 7:30 – Happy Hour Specials
March 24th 1SDU -A Little Different Chapter Meeting
Flower Stems; Cahaba River Society.
11:30-1:00
$15 members $25 non-members $10 interns
Alabama Designers Craftsmen Art Exhibit
Cocktails at 4:30 – 6:30
$5 two drink tickets/appetizers
 The Smorgasbord by Danya Humaideh
“Networking Around Town”
When the economy is in a recession, making connections with people outside your usual circles could open doors for future prospects. Yes, it means venturing outside the confines of your firm and even outside your profession at times; however, it could lead to a potential job.  Birmingham is full of networking opportunities offered through its many professional organizations and social groups. Below I’ve listed some of these organizations and their websites; keep these organizations in mind when you’re looking for something to do for lunch or feel like being social after hours. Each organization holds its usual monthly luncheon as well as other get-togethers that could prove to be useful for building your contact list and may also be fun. When you’re not working or spending time with family and friends, you should be networking and building relationships. You never know when you’ll need that new contact.
AIA Birmingham (you should know this one) www.aiabham.org
USGBC of Alabama www.usgbcofal.org
CSI, Birmingham Chapter www.csiwse.org/en/11037
SMPS Alabama www.smpsalabama.org
B'ham Regional Chamber of Commerce www.birminghamchamber.com
Operation New Birmingham www.yourcitycenter.com
Catalyst for Birmingham www.hiptobecivic.com
   
AIA+ SMPS+ ASLA + ADC = AIA Chapter Meeting
WOW! What energy we had at the January meeting! There were 115 people in attendance. Mark F. Sherwood, Vice President Strategic & Emerging Markets McGraw-Hill Construction did a great job of relaying some good and not so good economic news for the construction industry. We had several requests for the presentation and McGraw Hill has agreed to send the presentation. You Can Download the PowerPoint Presentation here. Check out the photo gallery here.
   
Thank you Sam Cornman, 2009 President of Alabama Designers Craftsmen, for coordinating all the ADC member art pieces for our meeting. (See more of the centerpieces here.)
2009 Design Award Entries – MARKET YOUR FIRM
Does your firm have a reputation for residential only or commercial projects only? If so, then change the public’s perception of your firm by entering AIA Birmingham Design Awards in a category that will surprise everyone! When the Birmingham Business Journal publishes ALL DESIGN AWARD ENTRIES and your firm has a project in each category – you may surprise your colleagues as well as the public!
Save these dates for 2009 AIA Birmingham Design Awards. The jury will be held in San Francisco in conjunction with the National AIA Convention. This is the only way we could ever hold a jury in San Francisco due to the cost. The convention is earlier this year which makes Design Awards entries due earlier. Click here for the 2009 Design Awards Call for Entries.
March 2nd Entry Forms due.
April 8th Submittals due
April 28th Jury
   
ACE Students design and build bridges, then test the strength
This is a mega networking event to create awareness for ACE.
 ACE – Architect Contractors & Engineers Mentoring Program
AIA – American Institute of Architects, Birmingham Chapter
ACEC – Alabama Council of Engineering Companies of Alabama
ABC – Associated Builders & Contractors
ASLA – American Society of Landscape Architects, Alabama
IIDA – International Interior Design Association
ASID –American Society of Interior Designers
SMPS – Society of Marketing Professional Services
DBIA – Design Build Institute of America
ACE would like to invite all of the members of the above organizations to a MEGA NETWORKING EVENT at the Barking Kudu, March 10th, 5:30 – 7:30. Buy your own drinks (happy hour specials) and meet and greet with all the organizations related to your industry AND LEARN ABOUT THE ACE MENTORING PROGRAM. Feel free to volunteer to be a mentor while your work load is a little less busy! ACE helps Alabama high school students discover the many exciting and rewarding career opportunities available to them in the building design and construction industry. Students work with local architects, engineers and contractors from top firms who serve as mentors to guide them through team design projects. In addition, they often visit mentors’ firms to see first-hand what it’s like to work in that part of the industry. They also tour major construction sites to explore the wide range of professional skills needed in today’s dynamic building industry. Through these experiences, many students make valuable contacts that can help them along their personal educational and career paths. For more info, please visit the website http://www.acementor.org/ Click here for photo gallery of the competition
Emerging Professionals
Interns! Come out to play! Be on the lookout for new site visits, pre-planned ARE Study Sessions, fun get-togethers!
AIA Birmingham has many new opportunities planned for Emerging Professionals to get involved in 2009. Feel free to let us know of any sites you may be interested in exploring! Click here to visit our newly updated Emerging Professionals Page.
There are also several areas where we need volunteers – Barkitecture, Site Visits, dreamArchitecture, social events. If you would like to volunteer with one of AIA Birmingham’s programs and be part of the Emerging Professionals committee, please email ksmith@dadot.com or danya@aiabham.org.
Save the Dates (click for more info)
February 19, 4:00 – Samford University Field House
March 19, 4:00 – Lakeshore Foundation tour – Please RSVP
April 16, 12:00 – V & W Supply Showroom tour – Lunch Provided by
V & W Supply
 A Little Different Chapter Meeting – March 24 – 1SDU
 What a fun way to earn a SDU continuing education! Great downtown venue, learn about protecting our local river and FREE art show.
Plan on arriving early or staying late to meet Alabama Designers Craftsmen and see some TRUE craftsmanship. Please consider consulting our local artist when you have a client request for a commissioned piece or a unique request. They are your local resource for TRUE ALABAMA CRAFTSMANSHIP.
Flower Stems is a unique venue architects will appreciate. Street parking or across the street from the AIA office or be earth friendly and walk/car pool.
Cahaba River Society will present a low impact development education for development and local government professionals. This presentation is effective for engineering, architecture, landscape architecture, land planning, real estate, development, and building contracting firms as well as for local government staff and officials involved in the review and approval of development projects
We will serve cocktails in the evening for those who cannot attend the lunch meeting, but would like to see the art exhibit.
   
dreamArchitecture Teacher Workshop
“Draw Your dream School”
dreamArchitecture held its fourth annual teacher workshop Saturday, January 24th at Davis Architects. There were 11 teachers from surrounding schools who attended and learned about architecture and LEED. Neil King, AIA gave a short presentation on the design process and Don Cosper, AIA gave a LEED presentation. The teachers really enjoyed learning about ARCHITECTURE and now have resources to take back into the classroom to help the students better understand architecture.
After the workshop at Davis Architects, we walked down the street to Kevin Irwin’s art studio. Kevin presented a hand’s on workshop for the teachers. The teachers had a great time. If your child would like to participate in 2009 dreamArchitecture, please visit the website to download all registration deadlines http://www.aiabham.org/dreamarchitecture.html
The winners will be on display at the Green EXPO at the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center May 12&13th.
Click here for a photo gallery of the event.
Sam Cornman Art Opening
Sam Cornman, you remember Sam, he provided our centerpieces at the 2007 Design Awards at Barber Motorsports. Sam is 2009 president of the Alabama Designers Craftsman. He is having a solo gallery show in Samford's Art Gallery as part of their Visual Visiting Artist Series featuring his blown glass and sculptural glass artwork. He will also be teaching a glass blowing workshop to the Samford University Art Students.
Show Details: Samford University Presents an Artist Showcase:
Blown Glass and Sculpture by Glass Artist Sam Cornman
February 4th- Friday March 13th
Bonnie Bolding Swearingen Hall Building #5, 800 Lakeshore Dr., Birmingham, AL 3522
Closing Reception: Tuesday, March 10, 2009. 4:30pm-7pm
AIA Birmingham Public Service Announcement – MEDIA BLITZ!
AIA Birmingham is working on an architect awareness campaign/media blitz. Our goal is to promote the value and need for architects. Architects create livable communities, beautiful spaces and reduce carbon emissions/footprints.
We will be sending out different PSA’s to various print media. This is our first Public Service Announcement. We will need your help finding these PSA’s when they are printed (I might overlook a magazine).
If you are the first person to see this PSA in a magazine and let the AIA office know Magazine Title – Month/Edition - Page number- YOU win two tickets to AIA 2009 Design Awards ($200 value).
Greenbuildingfocus EXPO
Be one of the first 150 to register and attend Dr. Charles Kibert LEED workshop FREE!
 Top Reasons for using AIA Contract Documents
- Considered The Industry Standard in the design and construction industry for over 120 years
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- Widely accepted across the industry
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For more information on AIA Contract Documents, visit www.aiacontractdocuments.org
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