July 2, 2020
The SFx Member Group’s mission is to advance the mutual interests of architects practicing within small firms. I have seen both at the national and state level the group pivoting in response to the changes to practice brought on by the pandemic and the racial justice movement. There is a sense around the country and the state is that office operations and construction site visits have been altered as well of market conditions but that to quote Mark Twain & Mark Asher, “Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.”
The SFx Practice WorkGroup is crafting resources for members around:
1. Accounting & Finance
2. Business Models & Beginning Business Strategy
3. Marketing
4. Profitability & Finance Management
5. Risk Management
6. Teamwork
7. 2030 Challenge for Small Firms
8. Human Resources
9. Technology
10. Project Managment
Chairing the 2021 AIA National Conference SFx WorkGroup, I am organizing plans that range from promoting A’21 to members to crafting CEU’s tailored to small firm exchange interests to organizing social gatherings. In the early stages of preparations for A’21 we are preceding from an optimistic viewpoint that we will be able to hold large gatherings again.
A’21 is in Philadelphia June 17th thru the 19th 2021.
Sincerely,
Chris Dawson, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Principal, Chris Dawson Architect
Pennsylvania Region Representative to the AIA National Small Firm Exchange (SFx)