As a new decade begins in the 21st century, architects and design professionals continue to navigate through a difficult economic climate; rise to the challenges of creating livable communities; and contemplate how the next ten years could revise the traditional ways that they practice architecture. An influential profession finds itself also in flux. What brings constancy and consistency to architecture and architects is design—and that is what we will celebrate and explore at this year’s convention. Design as Diversity Miami, the host city for the AIA 2010 National Convention, is known for its diverse culture and ethnicities. As the world’s gaze expands beyond east and west and turns increasingly toward the southern hemisphere, Miami has become recognized as the gateway to Latin America—a connector between north and south. In slightly more than one hundred years, it has evolved from a playground for the rich and famous to a cosmopolitan and internationally recognized city. An academic once described Miami as a city built in spurts punctuated by downturns. The city’s distinct architectural movements reflect this. Art Deco, with its rounded corners and eyebrow ledges, flourishes along South Beach. Later, Miami modernist architecture countered the minimalist tendencies of modernism with buildings steeped in eccentricity and excess. From Biscayne Boulevard to the Design District, you can see mid-century classics such as the Fontainebleau Hotel or the Bacardi Building. In recent years, works by architects such as Enrique Norten, Richard Meier, Cesar Pelli, and Frank Gehry have enhanced the city’s reputation as an influential source of design. In a sign that this practice will continue in the future, Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron have recently unveiled their design for the Miami Art Museum, which begins construction next year. Credits to AIA http://www.aiaconvention.com/AIA2010/public/Content.aspx?ID=56&sortMenu=101000 Please contact us if you have any questions. General Convention Information AIA Information Central 800-242-3837 infocentral@aia.org Attendee Housing Housing is now open, book your housing today! Wyndham Jade 888-538-7794 www.wynjade.com/aia10/index.cfm Exhibitor Housing Wyndham Jade 888-739-9829 www.wynjade.com/aia10/exhibitors/index.cfm Registration Laser Registration 800-242-3837 aia@laser-registration.com Exhibiting or Sponsorship Questions M|C Communications 888-242-1824 aiaexpo@mc-comm.com Kristin Skahan, Senior Sales Executive, companies starting with A-D, Sj-Z M|C Communications 617-406-4211 kskahan@mc-comm.com Eileen Newell, Sales Executive, companies starting with E-Si M|C Communications 617-488-4578 enewell@mc-comm.com