AIANYS April 2007 E-news:

AIA National Convention and Design Exposition May 3-5, 2007

AIA will host the National Convention and Design Exposition in San Antonio May 3-5, 2007. This year’s theme is “Growing Beyond Green.” Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more on how to make projects green and how to reduce their environmental impact. Attendees will also have the opportunity to see the latest products from over 800 companies exhibiting at AIAExpo 2007.
AIANYS will host a reception on May 3, 2007 from 6 to 8 PM at Aztec on the River, 201 E. Commerce St., San Antonio, along the “riverwalk,” acknowledging the 2007 Fellows and other Honorees. This complimentary reception is sponsored by IBEX Construction with support from WB Engineers/Consultants. All New York attendees and spouses/guests are cordially invited. To view the reception invitation, go to http://www.aianys.org/resources/news/2007/reception.html.
For more information on the AIA National Convention, go to www.aiaconvention.com.

AIANYS Past President Peter J. Arsenault Candidate for AIA National Office

AIANYS Past President, Peter J. Arsenault, AIA, NCARB, LEED-AP from AIA Central New York is a candidate for vice president of AIA. He, along with the others running for office, have issued 400 – word statements that are posted at www.aia.org. Arsenault’s statement focuses on his priorities which include: creating sustainable communities, advancing construction industry leadership and welcoming a diverse and vibrant membership. Peter has been endorsed by AIANYS and all thirteen local chapters.
It is imperative that all AIANYS delegates vote to support Peter’s candidacy at the National Convention! Delegate accreditation and voting will be May 3, 2007 from 1:30 to 5 PM and May 4, 2007 from 9:30 to 4 PM at Booth 23017, AIA Town Square, AIAExpo 2007 floor, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. All delegates must be accredited in order to vote in the business meeting and election of national officer candidates. You must have your badge, and delegate card signed by the chapter president or secretary in order to be accredited. This is separate from convention registration. The card has to be shown to the staff at the accreditation desk. Complete information on delegate voting and caucus’ has been sent by AIA.
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AIANYS Spring Symposium Rescheduled

Due to numerous scheduling conflicts between Architecture Week and the AIA Convention in San Antonio, the Spring Symposium program to be presented on April 26, 2007 has been rescheduled. The program “Taking Green to the Neighborhood: Planning, Process and Completion” will now be included within the AIANYS Convention at the Grand Hyatt in New York City, October 4-6, 2007.
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AIANYS Annual Design Awards

AIANYS Annual Design Awards Program has recognized outstanding architecture by New York State Architects since 1968. The program honors architects’ hard work, passion and creativity and promotes their top designs to the general public.
Award recipients represent excellence in design and quality, demonstrate creativity using available resources and work to enhance the environment. Prestigious projects that received awards last year include: Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center, Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Henry A. Wallace Visitor & Education Center, West Virginia State Capitol Dome, and University of Michigan Biomedical Science Research Building.
The 2007 awards will be presented at the AIANYS Convention in New York City on October 5. The deadline to submit registration form and entry fee is May 31, 2007. Deadline to submit portfolios to AIANYS headquarters is June 29, 2007.
For complete submission requirements and the registration form, go to www.aianys.org/design_guidelines.html.
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Architects In Albany Lobby Day-May 15, 2007

Join AIANYS for Architects In Albany Lobby Day on May 15, 2007. Be a part of advancing the AIANYS legislative agenda while earning continuing education credit.
AIANYS is pleased to announce that for the first time, attendees will have the chance to attend two one-hour continuing education sessions. The overall theme for the sessions is implementing smart growth. The first session will focus on Planning and Zoning Options, the second on The Built Environment.
In the afternoon, attendees will have the chance to meet with legislators at the State Capitol and Legislative Office Building (meetings are coordinated through the local AIA chapters).
For a complete list of Lobby Day activities and the registration form, go to www.aianys.org/government/lobbyday/2007/architectinalbany.htm.
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AIANYS Annual Convention- Save the Date!

Mark your calendars! AIANYS Annual Convention will be held at the Grand Hyatt in New York City from October 4 through October 6, 2007. Come celebrate the 150th anniversary of AIA while earning a minimum of 12 LUs/HSW at exciting seminars. This year’s theme, “The Past as Prologue,” will focus on the importance of examining history while planning for the future. Over 40 seminars will be offered as well as guided tours of the unique architecture of New York City.
Learn about the latest product lines and services at the Product Showcase. With more than 170 national vendors already committed, this year’s showcase promises to be the biggest and best ever!
Additionally, AIANYS is offering special discounted prices on advertisements in this year’s Convention Invitation commemorating the 150th Anniversary of AIA. It’s a chance to highlight your business, while showing your appreciation for AIA. For more information on AIANYS Annual Convention, go to http://www.aianys.org/education/index.htm#nys_convention.
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AIANYS is Moving!

The AIANYS office is moving! AIANYS will be moving from 33 Elk St. to 52 South Pearl Street, (3rd Floor) in Albany. AIANYS will be in the new space by Monday, May 7, 2007. The phone number, fax number, zip code, staff email addresses and website will all remain the same. The space is double in size from the current location and will feature a conference room, offices, storage room and large reception area. It is located directly across from the Times Union Center (formerly the Pepsi Arena).
So, if you are in the area, stop by and visit!
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AIANYS Member Named Finalist in 2007 Associate AIA Member of the Year Award Program

Jeremy Edmunds, Assoc. AIA, was selected as the finalist in the 2007 Associate AIA Member of the Year Program. He will be presented with a citation at the AIA National Convention in San Antonio, TX on May 3, 2007. His submission will be posted on the AIA website to serve as an example for fellow Associate AIA members.
Edmunds is a sustainability advisor to brownfields redeveloper Cherokee Northeast and works as a project manager for architecture, planning and special projects. He served on the national AIA Board of Directors, Executive and Advocacy Committees through 2006. He currently serves as Director of Programs and Strategic Planning on the AIA New York Chapter board.
Edmunds also coordinates MathCounts Manhattan, a volunteer middle school math enrichment program. Edmunds is a LEED Accredited, registered Professional Engineer, a graduate of the University of New Hampshire and an M.S. candidate at Columbia University.
Congratulations Jeremy
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AIANYS Two Associate Member Representatives

AIANYS is pleased to introduce two Associate Member representatives at the state and national level, Vasso Kampiti and Shanntina Moore. Vasso Kampiti, Assoc. AIA, serves as the 2007 New York State Associate Director on the AIANYS Board of Directors. She represents the interests of the associate membership and those of non-professional career paths, engaging young professionals to become more involved and advance in the profession.
Kampiti holds a BArch from the City College of New York and currently works as a Project Manager at the City University of New York (CUNY) Department of Design Construction and Management. For the last few years, she has been actively involved in the Emerging New York Architects Committee, participating in “This Will Kill That?” “Tech Day” and “Schedium” (www.schedium.org) groups. As Associate Director, Kampiti is responsible for the Southpoint Traveling Exhibition. The exhibit tours the state and has become a venue to share ideas about process, engagement, development, and participation. It helps empower students and young professionals to produce their own programs and inspires them to aspire to a higher level of execution. It asks them to stretch their imaginations to envision richer environments, emphasizing the importance of involvement and presence in our communities. Please contact her at vassokampiti@gmail.com regarding the following issues: IDP and registration process; enhancing membership value through networking and professional development opportunities and active participation and new initiatives.

Shanntina Moore, Assoc. AIA, LEED® AP, serves as the 2007 New York Region Representative on the National Associates Committee (NAC). The NAC collectively represents the entire AIA associate membership and works towards addressing common issues that affect these members throughout the entire organization. Moore holds both MArch and MBA degrees from the University at Buffalo and currently works at Cannon Design. In 2006, she served on the selection committee for the AIANYS Executive Director, and was a panelist at the 2005 AIANYS Convention sessions “Surviving the Intern Development Program” and “Exploring Employment Opportunities in Architecture.”As Regional Associate Director, Moore has made the presentation “Designing Tomorrow's Architect” to the Buffalo/WNY Chapter and opened Atelier weekend for the University at Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning. She plans to continue making this presentation to other local chapters to better inform and assist our Associate Members, firm leaders, and students about how all parties can help ensure the future of the profession of architecture.
Please contact her at SMooreRADNY@gmail.com regarding the following issues: ARE timing, Firm strategies for assisting interns and programs for the Associate Member on an "alternative" career path.
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AIANYS Welcomes New Staff Member

Ed Farrell, Executive Director, AIANYS, is pleased to announce that Stephanie Quirini has been hired as Director of Communications. She will be responsible for all of the communications, public relations and publications for AIANYS. Stephanie has an extensive background in communications, marketing and public relations. She previously worked in the communications office at St. Peter’s Hospital and at Howard Schaffer Media Marketing where she worked with clients including Cabot Creamery, Central Business Improvement District and International Design Guild. Most recently, she was Director of Communications for the Girl Scouts, Hudson Valley Council. She received a B.A. in Communications/Journalism from Russell Sage College.
Stephanie can be reached at squirini@aianys.org.
Please join us in welcoming Stephanie to AIANYS!
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AIA Offering New Brochure on Program For Students K-12

AIA has introduced a new four-color brochure to promote “The Architect’s Journey: Exploring a Future in Architecture,” a program for students in K-12 schools who are interested in learning about architecture as a profession. The brochure includes an explanation of what an architect does, the education and requirements needed to become an architect and what resources are available through AIA.
This brochure is a great tool for recruitment and can be used as a handout for architects who participate in career exploration programs at area schools.
The brochure is available for purchase by faxing the National Fulfillment Center at 800.246.5030. For more information, check out the education section of AIA’s website at www.aia.org.
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AIA Partners with Google Earth

In celebration of AIA’s 150th Anniversary, AIA has partnered with Google Earth to help the public connect with architecture like never before.
Through two new Google Earth layers, Blueprint for America and America’s Favorite Architecture, the AIA expands the conversation with the public about the impact of architecture in their lives. It will also show how AIA architects are working with local citizens to enhance their communities across the country.
For your personal invitation from AIA Executive Vice President/CEO Christine McEntee, go http://lyris.aia.org/t/1096999/4395695/1890/0/.
To watch the AIA Google Earth YouTube video, go to http://lyris.aia.org/t/1096999/4395695/1891/0/.
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Workers’ Compensation Reform Passed by NYS Legislature

Gov. Eliot Spitzer made workers’ compensation reform a top priority once he took office. He worked with several groups including the Business Council of NYS and AFL-CIO to put together a sweeping reform package. On March 13, 2007 Workers’ Compensation Reform was passed by the NYS legislature. Under the agreement, injured workers benefits will increase and employer costs will be reduced by 10 to 15 percent.
Highlights of the reform package include: an increase in minimum and maximum weekly benefits, a new program ensuring workers receive prompt medical treatment resulting in faster recovery times, stronger anti-fraud measures, and the elimination of the Compensation Insurance Rating Board.
Additional reforms currently being pursued for possible legislation include: bringing transparency to system costs, creating a hearing process to reduce litigation and designing new medical guidelines to replace New York’s outdated system.
The overall objective is to reduce the cost of doing business in New York State while ensuring workers receive proper protection.
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AIA New York State
52 South Pearl St., 3rd Floor
Albany, NY 12207
ph: (518) 449-3334
fax: (518) 426-8176
aianys@aianys.org