Electronic Opportunities

In this second electronic-only Perspective, it seems appropriate to talk about other electronic opportunities offered by the AIA to members and to the public. You've heard it before -- an important new feature of the Chapter's web page is the electronic industry directory found by clicking on the e-Profile button or the Find a Firm Banner.

The architecture section, available to all supplemental dues paying firms, contains all the information that the printed Firm Directory contains; but only if you put it there. Many firms have done that; some have posted project photos; some have established links to their own web sites. But a lot of firms have not. If you do not enter the information, such as your areas of specialty, your firm will not come up in a search. We need to hear from you to start the process. When you send us the name and e-mail address for the person who will be responsible for the site, we can activate it. You will then have password protected access to the site to enter the appropriate information about your firm, select among the services offered, and select among building types. For the search to work properly, you must select in both the service and building type categories.

If you also offer services that could be considered by a consumer as consultant services, such as computer animation, interior design, landscape design, let us know. We can activate you there, too.

Most of the firms listed in the Consultant, Contractor, and Supplier sections will be an Affiliate Firm, a new connection to AIA Houston for firms that are your consultants and suppliers. A list of those firms is elsewhere in this Perspective. As these sections build, this electronic industry directory can become a useful tool to architecture firms for building teams as well as useful for consumers. If some of the consultants or contractors that you ordinarily do business with are not yet Affiliate Firms, encourage them to become one.

We have a letter describing the Affiliate Firm concept and an application form if you would like to offer the opportunity to your consultants. Or if you will send us a list of people to contact, we will do it. The more firms in the Directory, the more valuable it will be.

And don't forget to get your own information entered.

Martha C. Murphree, Hon. AIA