Message from 2010 President Rob Walker, AIA
Rob Walker Architects, Birmingham, AL
2010 has been a busy year thus far. One of our initiatives has been the Architectural Registration Bill, which I am extremely happy to report was passed and is now Law. There was a special signing ceremony with Governor Riley on Friday, May 28th, at 11:00 a.m in the old House Chamber in the State Capitol Building. I hope you attended. Also, I would like to extend a special thanks to Jamie Aycock and Don Brown for all their hard work in aiding in the successful passage of the bill.
Maintaining and establishing strong relationships are important in the current economic downturn. In that spirit, the Alabama Council has partnered with the Associated Builders and Contractors of Alabama in two key events this year. The first was the joint legislative day in Montgomery earlier this year. Along with several other engineering and construction associations, we convened at the Hill to jointly convey our legislative concerns with respect to the built environment. That effort helped proved fruitful in the passage of our Registration Bill. The second will be our annual convention this summer. The Alabama Council and the ABC have been diligently working to provide a unique experience that will provide you insight into the current economic landscape and tools to help you successfully navigate through the current challenging times. I look forward to seeing you at the Grand in Point Clear, AL July 29 through August 1st.
There are many opportunities this year to be involved with the AIA. The following are just a few we will be working on soon.
1. We will be formalizing a Green Task Force this summer to develop viable solutions to State energy legislation for the next legislative session this fall. The task force will also tackle investigate strategies to aid in the implementation and integration of the developing International Green Construction Code by ICC.
2. The Alabama Council will continue its sponsorship for the 2nd Annual Green Building Focus Conference & Expo August 24-26 in Birmingham. The 2009 conference proved a tremendous success and we look forward to helping this year's event be even more successful.
3. Along with the Alabama Architectural Foundation, we will be helping to develop a program that leverages the excellent design work that is submitted for our State Design Awards into a touring show throughout the state. Our goal will be to help the foundation implement this program in 2011.
4. Architects Without Borders is a new outreach opportunity we are currently exploring that connects the Alabama design and building community with people and projects that require architectural assistance in the wake of natural disasters, i.e. hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados, etc...
In these uncertain times, we can emerge a stronger profession by working together with industry partners to develop solutions that address the economic issues that have be thrust upon us. I look forward to helping the Council and Chapters throughout the state make 2010 a productive and successful year.