The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Convenes in New Orleans May 12-14

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 11, 2011

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Convenes in New Orleans May 12-14
AIA will conduct a public service project to focus on the future of the Elysian Fields Avenue Corridor

WHAT: AIA 2011 143^rd National Convention and Design Exposition

WHERE: New Orleans Morial Convention Center (MCCNO), Halls A-D

WHEN: May 12-14, 2011

DETAILS: The AIA convenes in New Orleans May 12-14 for the 2011 National Convention and Design Exposition, which is themed Regional Design REVOLUTION: Ecology Matters. More than 17,000 architects, builders, contractors and suppliers, along with 750 exhibitors, will attend this single largest gathering of architects in the country. Considered a “green” conference, the gathering will feature more than 600 events over the course of four days, including workshops, presentations and educational tours that explore New Orleans architecture.

The AIA’s Center for Communities by Design will conduct a public service project on the Elysian Fields Avenue Corridor in downtown New Orleans on May 8-11, three days before the convention to analyze existing conditions of the corridor and to form ideas and recommendations for the future. The projects main focus is how to further invest and support the current momentum in New Orleans to revamp its major streets for livability and economic renewal.

In honor of the AIA convention, Mattel is releasing Barbie Architect, which will be unveiled on the show floor and sold in the bookstore onsite. On Thursday and Friday, there will also be a contest with local students to design Barbie’s “Dream House” of the future, with the goal of educating New Orleans students about architecture and design.

Since 1857, the AIA has represented the professional interests of architects. As AIA members, more than 76,000 licensed architects, emerging professionals and allied partners in design express their commitment to excellence and livability in our nation’s buildings and communities. Members adhere to a code of ethics and professional conduct that assures the client, the public and colleagues of AIA-member architect’s dedication to the highest standards in professional practice.

AIA’s last Convention and Design Expo was held in New Orleans in 1997, and this year’s Expo is set to generate more than $18 million in economic impact. AIA has a long history of holding meetings in New Orleans, with the first starting in 1913.

WEBSITE: www.aia.org/convention

MAJOR EVENTS: (All events held at MCCNO, unless noted otherwise)

• Wed, May 11-Fri, May 13: The Elemental exhibition, art exhibit that illustrates how digital tools are revolutionizing the way we think and how technology affects the practices of architects and designers. The New Orleans Architecture Now exhibition will present current projects of local architects in New Orleans and the Disappearing New Orleans exhibition will show the current state of the city and strategies, initiatives dedicated to preserving the city’s historical buildings, and the future of the city in relation to its disappearing landscape. Ogden Museum of Art
• Wed, May 11, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Design for Emergency: Learning from Katrina, the Jackson Barracks, and the Recovery School District Case Studies workshop, Hall E, Room 357
• Wed, May 11, 12:30-2:30 p.m.: The Master Plan of New Orleans: Livability, Opportunity, and Sustainability in the 21^st Century workshop, Hall E, Room 343-345
• Wed, May 11, 2:45-4:15 p.m.: Levee System in New Orleans: A Presentation on Its History, Assessment, and Future workshop, Hall E, Room 357
• Wed, May 11, 6:30-8:30 p.m.: Final presentation to the community for the Elysian Fields Avenue Corridor, Dillard University, 2601 Gentilly Blvd.

EXHIBIT HALL: MCCNO, Halls A-D

HOURS:
Thurs, May 12-Fri, May 13: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sat, May 13: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

PRESS OFFICE: MCCNO, Level 2, Room # R09
PHONE: 504-670-7821
HOURS: Wed, May 11: 12-5 p.m.
Thurs, May 12-Fri-May 13: 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Sat, May 14: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
AIA: John Scheidawind, 571-243-1295, johnschneidawind@aia.org
New Orleans CVB: Tara Letort, 504-566-5019, tletort@neworleanscvb.com; Jennifer Day, 773-909-2514, jday@neworleanscvb.com; Kelly Schulz, 504-421-0962, kschulz@neworleanscvb.com
MCCNO: Rosalie Mortillaro, 504-582-3027, rmortillaro@mccno.com

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