Billings Hit All-time Low, Inquiry Declines Slowing
As the impact of the recession continues to be felt at U.S. architecture firms in 2009, the ABI in January fell to a new all-time low score in the 13 years it has been in existence: 33.3. Inquiries rebounded slightly, indicating that interest in new projects is increasing, but this does not yet indicate a recovery. Business conditions remained weak at firms in all regions of the country and in all practice sectors. Many firms have had been forced to make changes to staff benefits and salaries in light of the recession, with more than half of our panelists indicating that they have instituted salary freezes.

Eight Architects Declare Candidacy for Three Offices
Elections for the Institute’s next first vice president/president-elect, vice presidents, and treasurer will be held in April at the AIA 2009 National Convention and Expo in San Francisco.

New Single-source Login
For the security of AIA-member Continuing Education System records the AIA national component is switching exclusively to the single source sign-in (SSO), which will meet the federal laws that regulate the University of Oklahoma records services and addresses the issues of Internet privacy that some members have been advocating for several years. It promotes the efforts of the AIA IT department to move “special” online services to a members only area.

kiplinger connection
The Economy • The Fine Print • Taxes
The Economy: In this long descent, the stimulus is good.
The Fine Print: The 1,100-page bill has benefits for all.
Taxes: Small firms with big losses get a real boost.