Personally, I'd rather hear a non-architect talk about the role architects can play in the society we serve then listen to "starchitects" talk about their work. With the exception of Calatrava, they are generally boring and uninspiring. Does it have to be a politician? Certainly not. In Illinois, one of the best speakers we have had was Chad Pregracke , who, as an individual, started cleaning up the Mississippi River. It was a powerful lesson in the power of what one person can accomplish. In fact, he was rewarded as the 2013 CNN Person of the Year.
BTW, those who believe that any keynote speakers' fees come from member dues, they are mistaken. The convention is an entity in itself and, in fact, is one of the larger revenue sources for the Institute.
-------------------------------------------
Walter Hainsfurther FAIA
Kurtz Associates Architects
Des Plaines IL
-------------------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 02-13-2015 17:40
From: Gina Moffitt
Subject: Clinton As Keynote Speaker
This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Small Firm Round Table and Small Project Practitioners .
-------------------------------------------
Although I agree that politicians aren't going to be inspiring to us Architects....what we really need is to be noticed and recognized
as being necessary----so if it takes a former president and spouse of potential candidate to get the press's attention to an AIA Convention, then I say it's probably a good thing. I've been bitching and moaning for decades about the dues we pay and how little we get for them. What it should go to is informing the public as to what we really do and how necessary we are and how difficult it is to do what we do so that they appreciate our skills and knowledge and are willing to pay for them.
-------------------------------------------
Gina Moffitt AIA
Kiyohara & Moffitt
Los Angeles CA
-------------------------------------------