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Hello AIA Members!
Have you noticed all the AIA press lately? AIA or AIA members have been mentioned or featured in Birmingham Home & Garden Magazine, Portico Magazine, The Birmingham News, Black & White, a one page color ad in McGraw Hill Construction South Central Construction and AIAforShelter made the AIA National newsletter. The AIA Birmingham office has been building these relationships for over three years. It takes perseverance and patience. I wish I could tell you the exact number of press releases we have sent out over the last three years. Every time your firm has a new project or someone in your office is promoted, someone passes the LEED exam – send out a press release. If every AIA Birmingham firm will start sending out press releases to local media and to national AIA – AIA Birmingham architects will start getting the recognition you deserve. Start building those relationships this week!
Peace,
Rhea Williams, Executive Director
P.S. The AIA office is in the Sept./Oct issue of Birmingham Home & Garden for ways to be green in your office. Edgewood creamery is featured in the Sept. issue of Portico Magazine, congratulations Place Design! |
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TEE Time again!
Great Goody Bags
Fun Day at WORK
Great Networking
WOW Door Prizes
AIA Birmingham’s 14th Annual Golf Tournament
Click here for brochure
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Save the Date
September 5th Extra HSW Meeting
Join us for a FUN HSW at Sloss Furnances. Chuck Thomas with Aquatic Gardens will
demonstrate how to install a fountain and discuss the electrical, plumbing and acoustics of a
fountain. This is a temporary fountain installation for Art Walk.
When: Sept. 5th, Friday. Where: Sloss Furnances (by the covered shed)
Time: Noon
Cost: $15 members $10interns $25 non members (this includes lunch/drinks)
RSVP by Sept. 3rd
www.aquaticgardens.com
September 9th Procrastination Education SeminarEarn 5 AIA Approved HSW
Alagasco Midtown Business Center
* Masonry Walls and Concrete Floors in Sustainable Design
*Insulated Wall Claddings for Sustainable and Energy *Efficient Design
*Greenroofs: Achieving Sustainable Results
*Steel Thermal Efficient Panels for Sustainable Design
Authentic Greek lunch prepared by George Sarris/The Fish Market
Click here for registration
Sept. 18th Intern Site Visit Alys Stephens Center Time TBA
October 9th AIA Annual Golf Tournament
Robert Trent Jones
Click here for registration
October 14th Sponsor Appreciation Luncheon/Mini Tradeshow
Alabama Power
1200 6th Ave. N, 3 story brick building, 3rd floor
FREE 11:00 -1:00
November 18th BearCreek Glass/European Kitchen Chapter Meeting
11:30 -1:30
More info next month
To All Members:
The board met this week and, due to the controversy surrounding the proposed changes to the regulation of the corporate practice of architecture, has decided to remove those revisions from this new bill. This approach will provide us with a clean bill that everyone should be able to support and that we can get passed in the legislature. The corporate practice of architecture will remain governed by the language in our current registration law. The thinking is that corporate practice needs to be addressed as a singular issue, and much more discussion needs to occur amongst the membership to create an informed consensus.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
TREVOR B. MATCHETT, AIA 2008 President, LEED AP
The Smorgasbord by Danya Humaideh
This week: “The Importance of Public Relations When Marketing Your Firm”
In a time of financial drought, marketing is one of the first items to be reduced or cut from firms’ operating budgets. However, how can you gain new business when the public does not know who you are?
Marketing your firm does not always require a large budget. There are several simple things you can do to gain recognition for your firm without spending too much money. A little PR can go a long way.
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Press releases, press releases, press releases! – It’s a matter of repetition. Don’t be afraid to brag about your work to the press. If you have a project that you are especially proud of or if your firm does something great for the community, scream it to the press. Sending one press release may not do the trick but sending several will get someone’s attention.
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Build lasting relationships with your public– Building your firm’s brand goes beyond a logo and a slogan; it involves creating an image for your firm – What do you want the public to think when they see your firm’s name? Part of building your firm’s image is building relationships with the public. You and your employees are your firm’s representation in the public eye – be your firm’s greatest marketing tool. Get out there and network and build your firm’s image by leaving a positive impression of your firm with those you meet. You cannot build a relationship overnight; the same is true with PR.
P.S. The AIA Golf Tournament is a great opportunity to begin networking. Click here for the 2008 Golf Registration Form.
 
AIA Art Opening / Wine Tasting
The first AIA art opening was such a success, it was requested to do it again. G & L Marble will sponsor our next art opening, September 25th, 2008 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. We will feature three artist; Joey Langoria, Adrienne Retief (art pictured below) and David Scheirer (art pictured above). If you missed the last opening, be sure and attend this one good times and talented artist! RSVP's are appreciated.
Sept. 25th, 2008
AIA Office, 107 South Richard Arrington Blvd.
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
   
August 19th Seminar
Our August green seminar was a huge success! Thank you to all who supported this program. Click here for more photos.
AIA Birmingham Website HITS!!
In the last month, we've added some additional tracking tools to the AIA Birmingham website. As a result, we've gathered some interesting information. From August 1-31, 2008, we've had the following visitors:
Alabama: 770 visits via 32 cities.
United States: 1067 visits via 37 states.
Total visits of 1094 from 19 countries, including India, the United Kingdom, China, the Netherlands, Germany, Japan and Argentina (and the folks from Argentia were looking for architects in Birmingham, Alabama--the folks in England had their eyes on Birmingham, too, but not the one in Alabama).
Visits per day reached a high of 255 the day the August 2008 newsletter was emailed (and almost 600 page views) and a low of 4 visits on August 30th (nothing like Labor Day to keep people off the computer). The top five pages include the monthly newsletter, the home page, find an architect, careers and the 2008 Design Awards page. — Joe Watts
 Sept. 5th - Sloss Furnaces/Aquatic Garden HSW
Have your even received an HSW credit that was fun? September 5th at Sloss Furnace can be your first one then. You will get to see a temporary fountain installation by Aquatic Gardens. Get out of your office and enjoy the outdoors while you receive an HSW credit (at a time when you need it the most). And drop in your business card for a chance to win a gift certificate to Aquatic Gardens.
Sept. 9th – Need 5 more HSW’s?
AIA Birmingham is holding its annual Procrastination Education Seminar. Not that any of you PROCRASTINATE, but if you did, AIA Birmingham has you covered. We are offering a 5 HSW seminar on September 9th at Alagasco Midtown Business Center. An authentic Greek lunch will be prepared by George Sarris/The Fish Market.
 FREE October Mini Trade Show – Sponsor Appreciation Luncheon
Don’t miss the FALL MINI-TRADE SHOW! Our sponsors have some great door prizes for all of you. Great wine, gift certificates, pottery, free ad space (start your PR/marketing now with a chance at free ad space) and we have a few new sponsors too; McGraw Hill Construction and European Kitchens.
45th Annual Bluff Park Art Show
45th Annual Bluff Park Art Show, Saturday, October 4, 2008, 9 A.M. – 5 P.M. Free admission, free parking and free shuttle service. A juried art show featuring over 130 artists from twelve states. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional works in oil, watercolor, clay, metals, wood and mixed media are all a part of the art show. On site food vendors, homemade cakes and sweets, area high school jazz bands, hands-on art fun for children. A great day out for everyone! Rain date October 5. 517 Cloudland Drive in Birmingham/Hoover, Alabama, 35226. Information: phone –205-408-4312. www.bluffparkartassociation.org
Exclusive Document Software for AIA Members
 In order to cater to the needs of members working in small firms or as sole practitioners, the AIA has launched a document package exclusively for AIA members – the Docs 100 software license – at an annual price of $159. This package allows small firms to keep up with the digital age without having to purchase an unlimited package for $639.
For small firms that need more documents than those offered in the Docs 100 package but do not have a need for an unlimited package, the AIA also offers the Docs 300 software license for $259 annually. Click here for more information on the different packages or to purchase contract document software.
 Have Alabama Environmental Council Recycle for YOU!
Alabama Environmental Council's office paper recycling program. With only a $100 initial fee for a bin, it's free for your office to have them pick up your office paper every week to be recycled. Paper only for now.
Alabama Environmental Council
2717 7th Ave S, Suite 300 Birmingham, AL 35203-3402
205-322-3126
Recycling hotline: 800-982-4364
   
Inspiration to Installation
Design Center South, a Select Granite, Inc. Company, is the leading provider of indoor and outdoor kitchen & bath cabinetry and counter top projects for the residential aftermarket, new construction and commercial segments specializing in end-to-end execution of complex build outs in the Southeast. Select Granite, Inc. is a privately held company based in Pelham, AL.
Gewin Tucker & Associates
click here for the invitation.
Florida Building Code Seminar Coming to Alabama in November
Mark your calendar! The Alabama Council AIA is pleased to offer a special seminar on the new 2007 Florida Building Code, which takes effect later this year. Once again, we have contracted BRB Code Educators to teach the seminar. The date is Thursday, November 13th in Birmingham. The 4 hour seminar will take place at the Alagasco Midtown Plaza from 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Look for registration material in the mail soon!
Fall Wrap Up Session Scheduled for Friday, September 19th
The Fall Wrap Up Session will be held at the Wynlakes Country Club in Montgomery on Friday, September 19th, from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The session will include a group lunch. Brochures were mailed out last week. If you did not receive your information, the pdf is attached. Or, please let us know and we will be happy to send you the material. Go ahead and plan to attend and receive those last few hours you need to complete your continuing education for the year.
Alabama Council AIA Design Awards – Call for Entries Coming Later This Month
It’s that time of year again! Showcase your firm’s most innovative projects with the Alabama Council AIA Design Awards. The Call for Entries will be available later this month. Entry forms and project boards and CDs will be due in September. The Awards Gala will be held on January 29th in Birmingham. Make plans now to participate!
Sept 26, Early Bird Entry Forms Due - $100 Sept 27-October 10 - Entry Forms Due - $125 (Oct 10th absolute latest for entry forms, by 5pm) Oct 17 - All project boards and ppt CD's due by 5pm
Alabama Preservation Conference
Click here
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