Regional Representative Report / 2019 Q2
Colin M. Arnold, AIA – AIA Virginias Regional Representative
carnold@arnolddesignstudio.com or (540) 239-2671.
AIA Small Firm Exchange Website
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SFx Mission & Objectives
Advancing the mutual interests of architects practicing in small firms.
- Advocate for small firms within the AIA and in outside organizations and agencies
- Promote leadership in small firm professional development and practice
- Facilitate and support the local component round tables and small firm networks
Influence – Advocacy & Leadership Development
Firms are struggling to afford healthcare. SFx is working with AIA Trust, following the models of AIA Kentucky and AIA Portland, to create state-component healthcare groups. Current legal issues are slowing this down.
Vendor Discussions – MasterSpec, AIA Contract Documents, AutoDesk / Revit – requesting “small firm” pricing.
SFx is advocating for Small Firm Recognition at local and regional Design Awards.
SFx Lien Rights Awareness Initiative: with the help of state components and their local lobbyists, SFx will create a customized lien rights awareness presentation for webinar or conference for the benefit of architects within that state.
AIA National Leadership Development Program – 3-year combination of gatherings, webinars and coaching calls to support individual leaders on firm, community and/or professional leadership growth. Nominations open. First weekend tentatively scheduled for late January 2020.
We want to hear from you! If you have small firm advocacy issues, reach out to your SFx regional rep.
A’19 National Conference
SFx has a number of workshops, sessions, and gatherings at A’19:
- Business School Series, co-developer
- WE101 (Wed. 8-12) – The Business of Architecture: Tools for a Profitable Practice
- WE301 (Wed. 1-5) – The Marketing of Architecture: Tools for Winning Great Projects
- Wednesday 5:30-6:30 PM – SFx Gathering at the Wynn Hotel
- Thursday – Series 2 Podcast Interviews
- Thursday 6:30-8:30 PM – Community Connections Social (SFx/SPD/HKC/CRAN) – Linq Hotel / High Roller Wheel House
- FR205 (Fri. 9:30-11) – Leadership Skills Taking Us to the Next Level / Introduction of the National Leadership Development Program
- ME302 (Fri. 1-2:30) – Joint Small Firm Exchange (SFx) and Small Project Design KC (SPD) Forum
- Business Lounge, with Friday 3pm Small Firm Gathering
- SA207 (Sat. 11:30-1) – Small Firm Needs (hosted by SFx)
Practice
SFx is seeking feedback on its Business Plan Beta Template for Small Architectural Firms. The results of the SFx / SPP / CRAN survey can be found here: Business Models for Small Architectural Firms.
SFx is working with other Knowledge Communities to create Curated Collections for Small Firms: TAP, COTE, CRAN. With AIAU, SFx is working on a Small Firm Series.
SFx is working with the AIA Center for Practice to look at small firm issues such as electronic seals, software/hardware technologies.
Outreach
At A’18, SFx conducted a number of interviews. These have been created into Series One on the Small Firm Exchange YouTube Channel. We are currently scheduling A’19 interview for Thursday of the conference. Sign-up or listen in.
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