2013 AIA Opens in Denver


In talking to my friends at Ashboro, North Carolina-based Phase Change Energy Solutions, the 2013 American Institute of Architects (AIA) National Convention is one of the most important events for architects during the calendar year.  The AIA Convention has drawn professionals from all over the world-including GET, LLC from Guam.  Even at my hotel some two miles away from the Denver Convention Center, I have ran into architects from Africa and Europe who were drawn to the education program and Expo this year's edition is offering.
 
The venue is an impressive one.  Surrounded by 63 conference rooms, the AIA Expo sits in the heart of a really big main hall-584,00 square feet to be exact.  Attendees have said that is small in comparison to some of the other venues that have hosted the AIA show in year's past-but impressive nonetheless.  Traffic was a bit slow though past the tables of the 800 exhibitors on the first day.  I would chalk it about to the scores of AIA Chapter Meetings and off-site meetings held Thursday that were as big of a draw as the activities at the Convention Center.

Let's talk about the exhibitors.  Each of the companies on hand, were completing final preparations of their booths into midday.  Many did not get that much traffic, while others saw many people-architects and exhibitors alike.  Giving out coffee was a big draw.  Giving out beer was bigger-especially near the end of the day.  All the giveaway items were just getting placed for probably a banner day today.  More exploration is planned by this blogger today.



There is no question that the AIA is committed to providing its members a great experience.  Talks on renewable building practices, the innovations in modeling technology and insights into emerging green policies are expected to give Convention-goers a great program that will make the AIA Chicago 2014 event that much harder to top. 

More to come from Denver.