Al Gore to Keynote AIA Convention

Washington, D.C., October 19, 2006--Former Vice President Al Gore will be the keynote speaker who will close The American Institute of Architects 2007 National Convention and Design Exposition on Saturday May 5, 2007. The theme of the 2007 AIA convention is “Growing Beyond Green”, which will focus on future endeavors by architects to fully incorporate environmentally friendly concepts into their designs. Gore will address the importance of the built environment and its impact on green house gas emissions. Gore has recognized the recent partnership between the AIA and the U.S. Conference of Mayors to advance the concepts of environmentally conscious building design. The 2007 AIA Convention holds added importance as it is the 150th anniversary of the Institute. “We are honored to have Vice President Gore, a champion of solutions to combat global warming, speak at our 2007 national convention,” said Christine McEntee, AIA CEO and executive vice president. “We are fortunate to have someone of Mr. Gore’s stature help shine a spotlight to an often overlooked element – the impact that buildings have on the health of the overall environment.” High Performance Buildings will be a focal point of the “Growing Beyond Green” theme and will be present in every aspect of the 2007 Convention – plenary session, seminars, workshops, exhibitors, promotional material, and tours. Architects who are leading designs in High Performance Buildings will discuss tangible methods, materials and case studies, highlighting the importance of integrating these designs into our society, which will one day become the norm. As the AIA recognizes its 150th anniversary it will acknowledge its responsibility to the future and prepare its members to embrace the opportunities that lie ahead. The Blueprint for America initiative is the primary program of AIA150, a yearlong observance in 2007 that will mark the 150th anniversary of the founding of the AIA. The theme of AIA150 is “Celebrating the Past, Designing the Future,” which will focus on helping communities see what is possible when architects, mayors and other civic leaders, and fellow citizens work together to tackle such issues as brownfields, accessibility for the disabled, affordable housing, sprawl, and environmental sustainability.

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