AIACE 2008 Conference — Athens: Ecology, Environment, Architecture

Turin, Italy, 17 June 2007

Attendees:

Introduction

Steve Scamihorn noted that we have already voted to move forward with a conference in Athens for spring 2008; this meeting is to hammer out the details to ensure that the conditions of that vote can be met.

Elias Messinas, Conference Chair, presented conference planning details and partnerships. Ecoweek, a partner in the organization of the conference, is an NGO registered in Greece. Elias is the Chair. Ecoweek is an intervention to raise awareness on environmental issues, including the built environment as it relates to the natural environment and a commitment to improve the Greek environmental record, which affects the global environmental crisis. Toward this end, this year Ecoweek hosted lectures by UK environmentalist Robert Swan and former US VP Al Gore.

Even with the partnership with Ecoweek, each organization will maintain its own identity, where the AIA Continental Europe conference stands adjacent Ecoweek events, each complimenting one another.

The program concept includes the AIACE conference, AIACE chapter meeting and a UIA + TEE + AIACE International Conference.

Each day of the conference will include events that are combined with AIACE and partners and events that are solely attended by AIACE registrants.

Minutes

  1. Title and theme, Athens: Ecology, Environment, Architecture presented and approved (pending CES acceptance).
  2. Dates, 10-13 April 2008, with an optional additional day 14 April 2008, presented and approved.
  3. Zappeion presented as the conference center and approved. Its use will include a tour of the building and gardens (for LU’s).
  4. Benaki Museum location presented and approved. Suggested to be also the venue for the chapter (gala) dinner. Its use will include a tour of the building and (for LU’s).
  5. The former airport location and connection to the Trade Show presented and approved. Its use will include a tour of the building (for LU’s). Must combine lecture on photovoltaics or Renewable Energy Sources (LUs).
  6. Possible auspices by the City of Athens or a Ministry approved. The purpose is to reduce the costs of the conference hall (Zappeion).
  7. General plan as presented by Elias approved.
  8. Proposal by Elias for cooperation with Google Earth on the launching of the Google Earth “European Architectural Layers” approved. Must/can combine with SketchUp presentation as a tool for using the Layers (LU’s).
  9. Giancarlo will contact AIA national to explore the logistics of implementing the 100 buildings initial Layers.
  10. AIACE will review which buildings to include in the Launching of the European Architectural Layers.
  11. Cooperation with UIA, TEE and ECOWEEK as laid out by Elias approved.
  12. Points to be considered by Elias:
    1. 12-15 credits (LU’s) to be worked out with Dominique (Elias will be assisted here by Maureen). Each speaker or LU begins with 1 full hour. Must review their presentation before and inform them of LU’s rules. Health, Safety and Welfare (HSW) units are of the greatest value to members.
    2. Maureen and Karl will send to Elias more information on LU’s and CES respectively.
    3. The principal language of the conference and presentation must be english. Elias is free to offer simultaneous translation to Greek for combined events.
    4. Maureen noted that past conference start with an emphasis and focus on the host city — ancient and modern — for the purposes of the conference theme, this can then be tied into to ecology and the environmental issues.
    5. To meet CES requirements, Elias will evaluate the learning goals of the conference: What will the participants learn that is useful?
    6. The target early registration cost for AIACE members will be 250 euro (±50).
    7. The target early registration cost for AIA members will be 350 euro(±50).
    8. The target cost per learning unit is approximately 16-17 euro.
    9. Expect approximately 120 AIACE registrants. Ideal AIACE participation is 110 persons (2 buses).
    10. A 400 seat conference hall is planned.
    11. Cost of travel to the conference and hotel is additional. Conference registration form and program will note what costs are included in the registration fee.
    12. Designate one hotel as “conference hotel and base” and block approximately 40-50 rooms.
    13. Walking tours should include headphones with a tour guide microphone. Guides must meet CES approval.
    14. Elias should seek help from AIACE members to assist with parts of the work (graphics, finances, etc.)
    15. Richard will support with web.
    16. The announcement of the conference will go on the web as soon as possible, such that members can consider the dates for their calendars.
  13. Finances:
    1. The proposal to use a professional firm to assist with logistics/implementation/organization details was approved.
    2. Recent conference budgets have remained in the black. It is recognized that this goal is met through the inclusion of sponsor funds.
    3. A typical budget is around 60,000 euro for 100 attendees. This conference, with its increased scope, is understood that it may cost more, which will be covered by sponsors.
    4. It is acceptable for Elias to allocate approx. 20,000 euro for an organizing firm — given that the funds will be provided for by sponsors.
    5. Elias will maintain control of the organization and finances of the conference, reporting only and directly to AIACE Board. Elias will avoid involvement in the conference finances by other parties (such as UIA, TEE, etc.)
    6. Elias will establish a timetable for cash flow and financing.
  14. Sponsors:
    1. Sandra will assist Elias with long time sponsors of AIACE.
    2. Karl has offered to approach sponsors in Germany.
    3. Elias will approach/has approached sponsors in Greece.
    4. Sponsors may be given the opportunity for a company presentation. For the purpose of LU’s presentation must emphasize the technology and concepts behind products, not a specific brand.
    5. Elias will review the sponsor categories on the AIACE website, and will propose the same to Greek sponsors.
    6. Elias will forge the details on how the sponsors get exposure and publicity, including the Trade Show (EnergyRES).
    7. UIA, TEE and other participating groups can cover costs such as cocktail, equipment (e.g. headphones) etc.
  15. Program: Discussed program details and requirements, related to conferences past. A draft program has been created for review by the conference planning committee and will be made public when the committee completes the review.
  16. Committee: Members of the conference planning committee (with note for their responsibility, as applicable); all have been subscribed to the conference planning mailing list.
  17. Dominique Tomasov (CES)
  18. Elias Messinas
  19. Elizabeth Heudebourg (Administrative Assistant)
  20. Giancarlo Alhadeff
  21. Guliana Barbano
  22. Helen Giblin (Treasurer)
  23. John “Yani” Counelis (AIACE member, Greece)
  24. Karl Hartnack
  25. Marc DiDomenico
  26. Marie-Jeanne Van Engelen
  27. Maureen Reinertsen
  28. Paul Caetano
  29. Richard Anderson (web)
  30. Sandra Zettersten (corporate partners)
  31. Spyros Amourgis (AIACE member, Greece)
  32. Steven Miller (Southern Europe Section Director)
  33. Steve Scamihorn
    34.
—minutes as recorded by Elias Messinas, Int’l. Assoc. AIA; edited and augmented by Richard Anderson, AIA
 

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