In this issue:
· 2011 AIA Convention Preview
· NYC Holds After-Hours Project Reviews
· NBAU: Networking as Business Development Strategy
· e-Calendar

2011 AIA Convention Preview

AIA

The AIA 2011 National Convention and Design Exposition is just around the corner, 05.12-14.11, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. The theme of the conference is “Regional Design Revolution: Ecology Matters.”

Here is a list of events that may be of interest to AIANY members:

Wed 05.11.11

WE103, 8:00am-12:00pm. Business Development Today: Using Modern Tools to Get More Work!
Speakers: Michael Ayles, AlA, NCARB, Carolyn Bligh, David Koren, Assoc. AIA

WE104, 8:00am-12:00pm. Health & Design = Active Living and Sustainable Urbanism.
Speakers: Fredric Bell, FAIA, Skye Duncan, Sarah Gluck, Robyne S. Kassen, Assoc. AlA, Karen Lee, Assoc. AlA

Thurs 05.12.11

TH201, 7:00-8:00am. Placemaking on Capitol Hill.
Speakers: Harold L. Adams, FAIA, RIBA, JIA, Alan M. Hantman, FAIA

GS001 Keynote Presentation, 8:15-9:45am. Mega-regions: The World of the Future.
Speaker: Thomas Friedman

TH229, 12:00-3:30pm. Interior Excellence: Learning from the 2011 AlA Interior Architecture Honor Awards.
Speakers: Brian M. Malarkey, AlA, Susan S. Szenasy

TH230, 12:00-3:30pm. Design Salon: Next Generation Green: Sustainable Communities and Infrastructure.
Speakers: Hillary A. Brown, FAIA, LEED AP, James S. Russell, FAIA

EV205, 4:00-5:30pm. Honors & Awards Ceremony.

7:30-10:00pm. AIA New York State Party.

EV224, 8:00-9:30pm. NAC/YAG Emerging Professionals Reception.

Fri 05.13.11

GS002 Keynote Presentation, 8:15-10:00am. To the Urban Revolution: How Cities are Changing the World.
Speaker: Jeb Brugman

FR321, 12:00-3:30pm. AIA Twenty-Five Year Award.
Speakers: Steven K. Alspaugh, AlA, LEED AP, Henry N. Cobb, FAIA

FR322, 12:00-3:30pm. Sustainable Justice: An Evolving System.
Speakers: Frank J. Greene, FAIA, Susan K. Oldroyd, FAIA, Kent W. Peterson, PE, LEED AP, AHSRAE, Beverly Prior, FAIA, NCARB, LEED AP, Kenneth Ricci, FAIA

12:00-4:30pm. WIA/ New Orleans Neighborhood Development Collaborative Volunteer Event.

FR325, 2:00-3:30pm. The CAE Design Awards.
Speakers: Peter C. Lippman, Assoc. AIA, REFP

FR326, 2:00-3:30pm. Integrated Design to Fabrication for Urban Housing Solutions.
Speakers: Phillip G. Bernstein, FAIA, LEED AP, RIBA, David C. Hovey, Jr., AIA, Calvin Kam

FR334, 2:00-3:30pm. IDP Outstanding Firm Awards.
Speakers: Kevin A. Fitzgerald, AIA, PMI

FR349, 4:00-5:30pm. AIA Committee on Design Ideas Competition.
Speakers: Gene Kaufman, AIA, Mike A. Mense, FAIA, Barton C. Phelps, FAIA

FR351, 4:00-5:30pm. Bringing Health and Design Together: Active and Sustainable Urban Living.
Speakers: Fredric Bell, FAIA, Skye Duncan, Robyne S. Kassen, Assoc. AlA

FR353, 4:00-5:30pm. AIA Associates Awards 2011.
Speakers: Kevin A. Fitzgerald, AIA, PMI

EV311, 4:00-6:00pm. Investiture Ceremony.

FR364, 6:00-7:00pm. How to Leverage Social Technologies for a Sustainable Practice.
Speakers: Jennifer Lucente, Anna Lira V. Luis, AIA, RIBA, NCARB, UAP, LEED AP, Megan Morris

6:00-7:00pm Gold Medal Reception.

EV314, 7:00-10:00pm. Host Chapter Party.

Sat 05.14.11

SA402, 7:00-8:00am. BIM BIM for Residential Architecture? A Small Firm Primer.
Speakers: Stuart M. Narofsky, AIA, LEED AP, James A. Walbridge, AIA

SA425, 8:30-10:00am. Institute Honors for Collaborative Achievement.
Speakers: David J. Burney, FAIA, Edward A. Feiner, FAIA, Walter Hood, Mike A. Mense, FAIA, Peter Lindsay Schaudt, FASLA, FAAR

SA420, 8:30-10:00am. Focus Your Network of Mentors.
Speakers: Venesa Alicea, AlA, LEED AP BD+C, Lori Apfel Cardeli, Assoc. AlA

SA421, 8:30-10:00am. Determining Your Footprint on the Profession.
Speakers: Kevin A. Fitzgerald, AIA, PMI, Rachel A. Kros, AIA, NCARB, Jenny Pelc, AIA, LEED AP

SA426, 8:30-10:00am. Off the Grid: Small Projects Awards and Discussion of Local Context.
Speakers: James B. Cline, AIA, Leonard S. Kady, AIA, Deborah A. Pierce, AIA

9:30am-2:00pm. Fit Nation New Orleans.

11:00am-1:30pm. NAC Central City Walking Tour.

GS003 Keynote Presentation, 2:00-3:00pm. Transitioning Iconic Urban Centers through Political, Community, and Design Leadership.
Speakers: Mayor Jeremy Harris, Ret., Hon. AIA; Mayor Mitch Landrieu (invited); Mayor Dave Bing (invited); and Jessica Zimbabwe (moderator)

SA440, 3:45-5:15pm. 21st Century Embassies: Secure, Sustainable Civic Architecture.
Speakers: Patrick W. Collins, Jay Hicks, Barbara A. Nadel, FAIA, James H. Timberlake, FAIA, LEED AP

SA443, 3:45-5:15pm. Affordably Green.
Speakers: Elizabeth A. Debs, Kathleen Dorgan, LEED AP, Deane M. Evans, FAIA, LEED AP, Casius Pealer, Esq., LEED AP

SA445, 3:45-5:15pm. Organic Settlements: Housing Typologies for a Billion People.
Speakers: Katherine A. Austin, AIA, Adib Cure, Gene Kaufman, AIA, Tara D. Lamont, AIA, LEED AP

NYC Holds After-Hours Project Reviews
For the month of May, the NYC Department of Buildings and other city agencies will be holding special evening hours with development teams to review projects and offer on-the-spot approvals (see e-mail here). This new city initiative is aimed at streamlining the building review process. AIANY, through its policy board, identified this as an important issue for its members, and has been advocating for an improved review process. Click here for more information on qualifications and how to set up these appointments. AIANY Policy Director Jay Bond is also available to answer any questions and welcomes comments and feedback.

NBAU: Networking as Business Development Strategy
By Suzanne Mecs, Hon. AIANYS, Director, Member Services

“You have to Network.” “Tap who you know.” “Get out and About.” These are mantras for business development, and they are on everyone’s mind since the downturn in the economy. Architects and marketing staff have been focusing more time and energy on networking. The question is: what does networking really mean? Michael Brathwaite, executive director of BNI Manhattan, recently spoke at the Center for Architecture at April’s Not Business as Usual luncheon. Below is a summary of his main points:

What is a network event? It is everything from a lecture or a professional cocktail party, as well as most conversations. If you are interacting with a friend, family, or colleague make sure they understand what you do and what type of connections you want to make. This will allow them to think of you if an opportunity arises.

What are you trying to achieve with networking? Networking provides opportunities to present your skills through a referral. As a service professional, you don’t necessarily want to ask everyone you meet for a project; but help them to remember something specific about your skill set and they could be willing to suggest you when they hear of an opportunity. Once you get that foot in the door; it will be up to you to sell your specific services.

What else are you looking for? A two-way street! As you speak to people listen for ways you might help them. You want others to meet their goals, because when you “work hard for others; they’ll work hard for you.” It stands to reason, that we remember the people who have smoothed the way for us or have helped friends, family, or organizations we support.

How do you know who can do that? At an event, it often times it means finding the busiest person in the room. You can start a conversation in that instance with an effort to get to know them, ask about the founding of their business or most recent success story. Even before leaving your office you can develop the idea of a “Power Team” — co-workers who may be referral sources for you or vice versa. For architects, that team might include landscape architects, engineers, expeditors, suppliers, manufacturers, or other service professionals including accountants, lawyers, or investment managers.

How do you stand out? Beyond being helpful, you need to develop your professional story and, in the words of event attendee Alan Marlis, “Mine yourself for something that you are not competing on.” Brathwaite reported on an instance where a personal interest and skill for singing helped to develop rapport with a client and seal the deal. Discovering a shared experience, such as living abroad, also helps to take a conversation to a more personal level and cement the conversation in everyone’s mind.

What is success? If you leave an event having had a memorable conversation or with an invitation to follow up, well done. Remember that a large stack of cards — with no recollection of who the individuals were, is not much better than a phone book.

While this topic is too large to cover in one sitting, members can further develop these skills through the AIANY Marketing and Public Relations Committee. The upcoming event on 05.23.11, “Firm Identity in the Age of Mergers and Acquisitions,” will look at some particular challenges to telling your business story.

eCALENDAR
eCalendar includes an interactive listing of architectural events around NYC. Click the link to go to to eCalendar on the Web.