AIA helps guide new firms to success in business.

In response to the trials and tribulations associated with starting an architectural practice in New York, the American Institute of Architects New York Chapter, in association with The Architect's Newspaper, is co-hosting the second of four New Practices Roundtables on Thursday, September 29, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Center for Architecture (located at 536 LaGuardia Place).

The September session, entitled "Architectural Business: A Running Start," will focus on issues related to architectural business management; specifically finance, insurance, law and accounting practices. Moderated by Gregg Pasquarelli, co-founder of SHoP Architects, the program will also feature Thomas Coghlan, president of Design Insurance Agency; Elyse Engelhardt, a business management consultant with AP3D Consulting; Robert F. Herrmann, partner with Menaker & Herrmann Attorneys LLP; and Patricia Stumpp, vice president of the commercial markets group with Citibank.

"The catalyst for these sessions is that the future of the profession lies with emerging firms," explains Mark Strauss, FAIA, 2005 first vice president and president-elect with AIA NY Chapter. "The Chapter decided that it needed to do more to help foster and maintain new practices, regardless of whether these firms are led by AIA members. The fact is that new firms do not always have me resources to afford membership."

As a consequence, the AIA reached out to The Architect's Newspaper as a co-sponsor to insure that a broad audience would be reached.

The roundtable is open to both AIA members and non-members, and should appeal to architects who have recently started their own firm, as well as architects who are thinking about opening a practice. In addition, professionals who have had experience starting firms, and who can share advice and expertise, are encouraged to attend. Future sessions will be held on December 7, 2005 and March 16, 2006, and will focus on technology and marketing issues respectively. 1.5 CEU learning units will be offered at each session. The price of admission is $10, which will be collected at the door.

In addition to these local sessions, the New Practices Roundtable has been selected as a featured presentation at the AIA 2006 National Convention and Design Exposition in Los Angeles next June. The convention program will include a synopsis of each of the New York sessions and will engage participants in a discussion of new practices and business issues around the country. The convention program will be led by Mark Strauss, FAIA, AICP, and will include William Menking, editor-in-chief of The Architect's Newspaper, and Martin Finio, AIA, of Christoff:Fino, a practice founded in 1998, all of whom helped organize the Roundtable series. In addition to the AIA NY Chapter and The Architect's Newspaper, sponsors for the New Practices Roundtable include Citibank, MG & Company and Fountainhead Construction.