Outstripping even the most optimistic expectations, preregistration for the 2001 AIA National Convention and Expo is looking to be a record-breaker. As of the cut-off date for Advanced Registration (April 20), figures are running above those of last year's convention in Philadelphia, which was a tough act to follow. Advanced registration drew 11,498 registrants, of which 5,874 are AIA members. More than 1,900 Colorado architects are registered to attend.

Two weeks from the event, more than half of the convention workshops were sold out as well as a number of tours. Hotel space is at a premium, with people finding themselves on waiting lists to get a room downtown. The American Institute of Architecture Students has reached capacity for its annual soiree, and the host chapter party is showing just how popular an attraction Denver's aquarium is. Although there are workshops with seats available, if you haven't registered yet and plan to go to the convention, be prepared.

The reasons are many, but chief among them are that this is the first time the AIA has held its national convention in the Mile-High City, and this is a beautiful time of year to be in the Rockies.

More stats:
All signs point to an overflow crowd for the Saturday plenary session, which features theme speaker Santiago Calatrava, whose talk will be broadcast into another room to handle the overflow. One continuing education program—S109-"The Top 10 Ways to Prevent Major Screw-ups During Design and Construction"—has generated so much interest (729 and still counting) that it's being switched to the ballroom, where convention planners expect a turnout of 1,000.

Anybody who can't get in to this or any other session, or who can't get to the convention at all, keep in mind that almost every program is audio recorded. Members can buy the cassette tapes at the convention registration desk ($12 per tape) or by phone or mail after the convention ($13 per tape; watch this space for ordering information). Set a learning objective and listen to the tapes and you are eligible to self-report for AIA/CES learning units.

Incidentally, mid-June will be the deadline for submitting course proposals for the 2002 AIA national convention 2002 in Charlotte. Planning and execution of our national convention is a 12-month program.

Copyright 2001 The American Institute of Architects. All rights reserved.