President's Letter
Richard Wetzel, AIA
President
Time for a quarterly update…here’s what’s been going on at the AIA – first, a bit of timely editorial; second, a few initiatives; and third, some congratulations:
AIA Kansas City was recently asked by the ATA to endorse the bus tax renewal on the ballot in Kansas City, Missouri on Tuesday, April 8. After considering the facts surrounding the bus tax renewal and the greater context of the recently passed – then repealed – light rail vote, the Board decided not to endorse this ballot measure. We believe that the strategy of separating the votes needed to fund both busses and light rail puts an integrated transit system at risk. However, I want to be clear that the Board supports busses as part of a comprehensive transit system.
I realize that well-intentioned citizens and even members of our organization may disagree with the Board’s position. And while it is unfortunate that we cannot all agree on the issue, I am pleased that our voice – the voice of the architectural profession – is becoming valued by the media, elected officials, and governmental agencies.
Our new advertising campaign – My Architect – is off to a great start! We have placed the pieces in relevant media outlets and are also working them into our web site and other communications. And we are ready for more – please submit ideas for additional campaign pieces to Kristen Fisher at kristen@aiakc.org.
From October 23-25, our chapter will host the Central States Region Conference – a must-attend event. With nearly $4 billion in new construction in place since 2002, Kansas City has become a design center, and the conference’s theme, “A Question of Relevancy” will address how the Midwest remains architecturally relevant as “fly-over” country. The conference will take it to the streets to show attendees what Kansas City has to offer – from “Cordish to Crossroads, Nelson to Nerman.” Don’t miss it!
Ever heard from Pecha Kucha? Not many have. Pecha Kucha is a trademarked method for showcasing creative work – aspiring presenters submit, are selected to present, and then have 20 Power Point slides at 20 seconds per slide to show their stuff. This keeps the pace moving and the excitement building. Our enterprising Young Architects Forum leaders have succeeded in having Kansas City named as an official Pecha Kucha site, and will be holding four PKN’s (shorthand for Pecha Kucha Night) this year, one of which will be in conjunction with the Central States conference. Stay tuned – and please participate!
Finally, a few pats on the back. As a design center, Kansas City was the only metropolitan area in the country to have two projects – the Bloch Building at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Liberty Memorial – receive national honor awards in design by the Institute. And el dorado, inc. was recently recognized by the Architectural League of New York as an Emerging Voice in the profession. We also have a new Fellow among us – Casey Cassias, FAIA, of BNIM Architects, and our chapter’s Pillars Leadership Program was recently recognized with a national Component Excellence Award. Tiffany Shepherd, our chapter’s Deputy Director, successfully completed the American Society of Association Executives’ rigorous process to achieve the designation, Certified Association Executive (CAE). Congratulations to all!
Sorry for the long note – it’s a busy time! Enjoy the breaking weather and I look forward to seeing you all soon.
Richard Wetzel, AIA
2008 President
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