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Who We Are

The mission of the AIA Small Firm Exchange (SFx) is to advance the mutual interests of architects practicing in small firms. The objectives of the AIA SFx are three-fold:

1. Advocate the value of small firms, the national SFx, and local SFx groups, both within the AIA and to the public.

2. Curate and disseminate the most pertinent resources and information, from the AIA & elsewhere, that benefit small firms.

3. Inform the AIA of current issues facing small firms and areas in which current resources/information are lacking.

Approximately 75% of all firms within the AIA are small firms (less than 10 employees), which equates to 14,459 small firms within the organization.

~26.8% = sole practitioners = 5,173

~33.5% = 1-5 employees = 6,459

~14.7% = 5-10 employees = 2,827

For context, small firms share of staff is 16.0% and share of billings is 12.0%

We need to find ways to leverage that size for collaboration and influence, just like the individual large firms do.

   

  

  • 1.  Clinton As Keynote Speaker

    Posted 02-13-2015 05:40 PM
    This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Small Firm Round Table and Small Project Practitioners .
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    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.  



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    Gina Moffitt AIA
    Kiyohara & Moffitt
    Los Angeles CA
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  • 2.  RE: Clinton As Keynote Speaker

    Posted 02-16-2015 05:32 PM
    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.

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    Walter Hainsfurther FAIA
    Kurtz Associates Architects
    Des Plaines IL
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  • 3.  RE:Clinton As Keynote Speaker

    Posted 02-18-2015 10:49 AM
    I agree that a politician speaking at the convention may not be inspiring - but a good/great speaker would be ... Heard David McCullough at DC convention and was totally inspired - I still recall his talk now several years later as one of highlights of convention. I think that if (big "if" to some) you can put the polarizing effect of the Clinton name aside, his speech could be a real highlight of the convention.

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    Carl Dress AIA
    Principal
    Heritage Design Collaborative
    Media PA
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  • 4.  RE: Clinton As Keynote Speaker

    Posted 02-19-2015 05:34 PM


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    Brian Frickie AIA
    Kerns Group Architects, P.C.
    Falls Church VA
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  • 5.  RE: Clinton As Keynote Speaker

    Posted 02-16-2015 05:43 PM
    I don't see how the press' attention on Bill Clinton at an AIA event would do anything to advance the necessity for architects among the general public. A majority of my actual and potential clients either ignore Clinton or doubt the qualifications of anyone who listens to Clinton.

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    Sean Catherall AIA
    Senior Project Manager
    DAVE ROBINSON ARCHITECTS
    Salt Lake City UT
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  • 6.  RE: Clinton As Keynote Speaker

    Posted 02-17-2015 09:17 AM
    The attendees and  exhibitors pay for the convention keynote speakers, not membership dues.

    After hearing Al Goer, and Colin Powell I can't wait to hear Bill Clinton.  The keynote speakers are one of the highlights of  the convention.  Neither of the  two I  listed made political speeches.  Goer spoke about the environment, and Powell spoke about his professional  life.  I  benefited from both.

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    Jeffrey Rosenblum FAIA
    Rosenblum Coe Architects, Inc.
    Charleston SC
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  • 7.  RE: Clinton As Keynote Speaker

    Posted 02-18-2015 05:49 PM
    Very few people believe there's any such thing as a non-political Al Gore speech about the environment. The AIA leadership is out of touch.

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    Sean Catherall AIA
    Senior Project Manager
    DAVE ROBINSON ARCHITECTS
    Salt Lake City UT
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