(view Original Article here)
Event Statistics
In my presentation, “How To Leverage Social Technologies For A Sustainable Practice” at the 2011 AIA National Convention
in New Orleans, I've shared information on whether architects,
designers, interior designers, engineers, or contractors, can use
Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, etc. to find work or new project
opportunities. It included crowdfunding and crowdsourcing platforms for
projects, as well as strategies for winning online competitions and
cloud computing.
“The selection of your proposal is a testament to the quality of the program content and the merits of your contribution”, says Clark Manus, FAIA (2011 AIA President) and Marion L. Fowlkes, FAIA
(AIA 2011 National Convention Chair), in an email notification that the
presentation was selected as part of the 2011 National Convention and
Design Exposition. At the conclusion of that event, the presentation was
selected as one of AIA Virtual Convention's "Best of San Francisco, Miami and New Orleans".
This year, I collaborated with the Chicago Women in Architecture (CWA), AIA Chicago, and Porcelanosa to bring this presentation to Chicago.
Here's what some of those who attended shared in social media channels:
From Lina Grigaitis, AIA via LinkedIn: “Lira Luis
gave a fantastic presentation tonight! I am already putting the many
useful tips to work for me. I will definitely see her at 2012 Neocon in
Chicago for another one of her presentations! I highly recommend seeing
her presentation wherever she may be giving one!”
ReTweet from @claire_monette: "Enjoyed a great presentation tonight by @liraluis on Social Media for the A&D Industry!"
ReTweet from @oolretaw: "@liraluis great lecture tonight! And congrats on being the hottest architect! :) "
ReTweet from @sidelano: "Attended a great event last night @Porcelanosa Chicago with @liraluis presenting. Was awesome"
From JOHN PRICE, AIA, LEED® AP, NCARB via email: "Good morning, Lira. Just wanted to say that I really enjoyed your program last night."
ReTweet from @FirmAbility: "Chicago's own - @liraluis helping to bring the design industry into the SM world. Great presentation last night!"
ReTweet from @kleimkuehler: "great event last night!"
From J'nai Gaither via email: "Hey Lira, I just
wanted to say that you did a PHENOMENAL job last night! You're such a
natural at giving presentations. And it was easy to follow and relevant!
Go you! I was SO impressed!"
ReTweet from @DeniseButchko: "Excellent presentation at Porcelenosa - thanks!"
ReTweet from @Amberlee_Design (NELSON): "Thank you so much for such an eye-opening presentation last Thusday! I can't wait to share what I learned with my firm :) "
From Verna J. Brooks, Assoc. IIDA, LEED AP via LinkedIn: "Excellent presentation Lira -- and kudos to Chicago Women in Architecture & the Porcelanosa Showroom at the Mart!"
From Brett Young via Facebook: “great speaker, fun event, wonderful hosts, lovely space”
A new media channel, Firmability, was
introduced in the presentation. It's a new social platform that can
potentially be the “Yelp” (a social networking, user review, and local
search web site) of the AEC Industry. Go to Firmability’s website to learn more.
The event on March 22nd was attended by a
variety of architects, engineers, and contractors, including
manufacturers, coming from small, medium, to large firms.
(image by CWA, BaBette Scheidt)
Porcelanosa, the venue host, kicked off the
event with generous refreshments while the guests networked prior to the
presentation. They also gave a tour of their newly renovated showroom.
"Porcelanosa is creating a Dream Space for
designers--dedicated to innovation, the new Porcelanosa Library (Dream
Space) will house all stocked floor and wall coverings as well as our
most creative designs with six work stations and a private conference
room. Our open plan will be housed within 25% of the Porcelanosa
showroom at Luxe Home suite 149 in the Merchandise Mart. Designers can
freely stop in to use the space as well as view our newest products,"
explains Peter Lollias, Midwest Sales Manager of Porcelanosa USA.
I delivered my speech to an interested audience.
Shortly after the presentation, those in attendance started to share
what they experienced at the event, through social media channels.
(image Brett Young)
One of the highlights of the event was the
introduction of Firmability, a new social platform that can potentially
be the “Yelp” (a social networking, user review, and local search web
site) of the AEC Industry. Jim from Firmability was present to share the
news, “Firmability.com is a brand new social review site specifically
tailored for the design and construction industry. We're extremely
excited to announce the launch of FirmAbility! We've been working
diligently to create this powerful new community that is geared towards
revolutionizing and improving the entire construction and design
industry! Best of all... it's Free!” (image by Firmability)
One of the many notables in attendance was
Howard Alan. He's a fellow member of Friends of Kebyar, who share
similar philosophies on Organic Architecture. He's an architect who
worked with Bruce Goff.