News from National

COVID-19 project database form

Many healthcare providers and other organizations are looking for solutions to the surge in COVID-19 cases and the needs of their communities. AIA has created a new COVID-19 project database to increase information sharing and to support the development of best practices for responding to the pandemic.

Architects, designers, engineers and facility owners are asked to contribute COVID-19 project information to the survey below to increase information sharing and to support the development of best practices for responding to pandemics. LEARN MORE

Business Continuity Planning for Architects

This on-demand offering from AIAU of their exclusive live course explores the business impacts of common and timely hazard events and reviews the essentials of business continuity planning. It will also introduce AIA's newest free member resource, the Architect's Guide to Business Continuity, which, when implemented, will leave firms with the confidence to weather any storm. Free for AIA Members. LEARN MORE

Annual CES Requirements for members

We understand the challenges in meeting requirements in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, members must still meet the annual AIA continuing education requirements. Therefore, members may request waivers from the Institute Secretary during our membership audit next Spring. Because states have not changed their requirements, we encourage utilizing free online courses through AIAU and from our AIA Continuing Education Providers.

How to talk to clients about your fees

Using the right language in a fee proposal and identifying ways to reduce fees informs the client and positions an architectural firm for effective fee negotiation. And the factors that influence fees do not have to remain a company secret. Michael Strogoff, FAIA, offers sample language a firm may use to communicate the intricacies of its service fees to clients. LEARN MORE

Upcoming Webinars

Webinar: Managing AIA Contracts Remotely
Apr 27, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (PT) 

With an increase in stay-at-home orders due to COVID-19, going to the office to print, scan and sign your contracts may not be an option. Join AIA Contract Documents technical staff for a free webinar discussing the features and workflows in the online service that can help you organize, distribute and sign your contracts without leaving your home.

Webinar: AIA Contract Documents Basics: Understanding What's Available
Apr 29, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (PT)

Join us for a free webinar as we present an overview of the AIA Contract Document families to help you understand what’s available, define what you need, and find a contract that fits. We’ll explain the ways AIA Contract Documents are organized, the types of documents that are offered, what aspects of your project you should define before choosing a document, and where to go for more resources if you need help.

AIA National Updates

A'20 CONFERENCE ON ARCHITECTURE UPDATE

As announced earlier, A'20 has officially been canceled and will not be rescheduled due to the COVID-19 outbreak.  The following message is being released to registered attendees today (April 16) about AIA's cancellation of A'20:

We regret to announce that A'20 is officially canceled and will not be rescheduled due to the COVID-19 outbreak. We know this is discouraging, but not unexpected, news. By making this decision now, we hope to minimize any stress or inconvenience. 

As a registered attendee of A'20, your registration fees have already been refunded to your payment method on file.    

A'21 is happening in Philadelphia, June 17-19, 2021, and we hope to see you there. We're also looking into hosting a virtual event later this year, as well as developing additional continuing education opportunities, and will keep you posted. 

Until then, check out AIAU or your chapter for other options to earn your HSW and ADA credits. 

Thanks for supporting A'20 and stay safe.   

PRESIDENT'S COMPONENT COVID TASK FORCE

AIA President Jane Frederick, FAIA, has formed a task force comprised of component executives, volunteer leaders and staff to assess the financial health of the components and to set criteria and/or guidelines and make recommendations for short and long-term solutions addressing the viability of components during the coronavirus pandemic. The task force will review the capabilities of components to withstand the economic instability during the crisis.

CONTINUING EDUCATION

While we understand that some members will face hardship in meeting AIA's continuing education requirements in light of the global COVID-19 pandemic, we wanted to let you know members will still be required to meet the annual requirement of 18 learning units (with 12 of those in approved HSW topics). We have, however, a process in place for members to request waivers from the Institute Secretary as needed when we conduct our annual membership audit next Spring. At this time, states have not waived or changed their requirements for mandatory continuing education for license/registration renewal, and we do not want to confuse members who still have state licensing requirements to meet. We encourage members to take advantage of free courses through AIAU and online offerings from many of our AIA Continuing Education Providers.