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.