On April 9th and 10th, The AIA Ohio and AIA Ohio Valley Region emerging professionals retreat was held at the Center for Architecture in Columbus. Coordinated by AIA Ohio Associate Director Greg Spon, Assoc. AIA, the program included speakers and discussions throughout Friday afternoon and Saturday morning as well as opportunities to network and discuss opportunities, ongoing chapter programs and needs of interns, young architects and members of AIAS. Speakers at the program included members of the AIA Ohio Board of Directors, including President Bruce Sekanick, AIA, President Elect, Steve Shinn, AIA and Secretary Judd Kline, AIA as well as the Ohio Valley Region College of Fellows representative David Collins, FAIA, Jack Bauman, AIA Ohio Valley YAF representative and Brian McAlexander, Assoc AIA Ohio Valley Associate Director.
The program provides an opportunity for a wide range of new professionals to discuss the needs of not only the interns, but the newly registered members and students in architectural programs throughout the state. Discussion topics included communications, advantages of AIA membership, mentoring and associates needs and well of opportunities for encouraging associate membership and by providing services to members. Various state and chapter programs, such as the AIA Ohio COTE sustainable housing design competition, chaired by Josh Lloyd, Assoc. AIA, and the chapter ARE study programs coordinated locally by Jennifer Storey AIA of Cleveland as well as programs offer in other locations throughout the state. Amy Kobe, Hon AIA and Executive Director of the Ohio Architects Board, along with Sandra LaFontaine, AIA, AIA Ohio IDP Coordinator also had an opportunity to provide attendees new information on changes in the IDP and NCARB programs as well as requirements of the registration board.
The retreat was a great opportunity for all attendees to discuss the needs and challenges of those entering, or who recently entered the profession. AIA Ohio would like to thank each of participants for taking the time to be part of this month’s program. More pictures and comments are available on the AIA Ohio Associates Facebook page.