Convention Closes with Presidential Medals and Heartfelt Thanks
Plus, some execs get the boot(s)

Summary: Opening the grand finale session of the convention on Saturday afternoon, AIA President RK Stewart, FAIA, introduced to the standing-room-only audience former Vice President of the United States the Honorable Albert Gore. “I anticipate that before we leave this hall, we will be inspired to redouble our efforts to work for a better future for our children and their children,” Stewart said.

Read about Gore’s presentation.

Also during the session, seven outstanding international leaders received the Presidential Medal, participants got a sneak preview of next year’s convention (Boston!), and the convention team and AIA San Antonio received kudos for a fabulous convention.

Seven Receive Presidential Medal
The AIA Presidential Medal celebrates the free exchange of ideas across national borders, and this year was bestowed upon seven individuals:

• President Jean-Francois Susini, Hon. AIA, Architects Council of Europe
• Chairman Kun-Chang Yi, Architects’ Regional Council of Asia
• President Mendez Ugalde, Colegio de Arquitectos de Costa Rica
• President Ivan Cervantes Erosa, Colegio de Arquitectos de la Republica Mexicana
• President Kiyoshi Matsuzaki, FRAIC, Hon. AIA, Royal Architectural Institute of Canada
• President Alec Tzannes, FRAIA, Hon. AIA, Royal Australian Institute of Architects
• President Jack Pringle, FRIBA, Hon. AIA, Royal Institute of British Architects.

“On behalf of the International Union of Architects,” UIA President Gaetan Siew said, ”I bring you the greetings of 1.4 million architects from around the world.” He informed the audience that the UIA is very proud to have the AIA as one of its members and looks forward to addressing together two major challenges: global warming as well as cultural diversity of its membership. Siew also said that next month the UIA is proposing a fair practice agreement that includes respect for the environment. They ask all member societies to consider it and “to share your best practices with the rest of the world.”

Come to Boston next year!
AIA President-Elect Marshall Purnell, FAIA, presented the theme of the next convention, May15–17, 2008, in Boston. “’We the People”—words spoken by an architect more than 200 years ago—will define the convention and architects working for the public good, he said. “We the People” will demonstrate our essential role in solving the most pressing issues of our time. Purnell then introduced Cheryl McAfee Mitchell, FAIA, the 2008 convention chair, and Carole Wedge, AIA, BSA convention chair, who promised that “the power of architecture on behalf of all the people will shape every aspect of the convention.”

Heartfelt thanks to San Antonio!
“Our convention here in San Antonio has seen a remarkable convergence of scientists, educators, and political leaders that would have hardly been imaginable even a few years ago,” said Stewart. “Together, they have painted a compelling picture of the challenge of sustainability, of growing beyond green. By their willingness to come here to share their knowledge, they have confirmed that architects and the building industry must play a major role to assure the future of our planet.”

Stewart called to the stage “the incredible team that designed and oversaw this convention”:

• Convention 2007 National Chair Carl Meyer, FAIA
• San Antonio Convention Committee Co-chairs Madeline Slay, AIA, and Alicia Treviño, AIA
• Convention Continuing Education Chair Gwen Dakis, AIA
• Former San Antonio President Greg Papay, FAIA, and current President Chris Schultz, AIA
• AIA San Antonio Executive Director Torrey Carleton, Hon. AIA.

The chapter in turn presented red and black cowboy boots hand-tooled with the AIA logo as a thank you to Meyer, Dakis, Stewart, and AIA Executive Vice President/CEO Chris McEntee.

“Travel home safely and, when you get there, do great things for your profession, for your community, and for our home, Planet Earth,” Stewart concluded.