Going virtual

The fourth quarter of the year is usually the time when architects review how many CEU credits they have, and how many more they need to fulfill their requirements for the year.  Tradeshows and conferences are typically popular avenues where architects go to get their credits, and for good reason.  It gives them a few days away from the office to immerse themselves in new technologies, trends and products.  It also gives them the opportunity to catch up and visit with colleagues, product manufacturers (like ourselves) and friends in the industry. 

This all changed roughly 8 months ago, when work, as we knew it, changed because of COVID-19.  The mandatory quarantine forced many offices to quickly shift from being on-site to working from home.  Tradeshows, conferences and other industry events were canceled.  Even AIA lunch-and-learns and in-person meetings were sidelined. 

But as the old saying goes, ‘the show must go on.’  Collectively, our industry proved its resiliency and pivoted to using virtual platforms to deliver valuable resources.  In response to the AIA National Conference being canceled this year, the AIA mobilized to put together a 3-day, Virtual Education Summit last July so that architects who usually travel to the AIA conference to get their credits can still do so without leaving their home offices. SAFTI FIRST is a long-time supporter of the AIA National Convention and an AIA Cornerstone Partner, so when they announced the Virtual Education Summit, we decided to support it. 

We took this opportunity to debut our new AIA-registered program, ‘Innovative Design Applications Using Advanced Fire Rated Glazing Technology’ (1 AIA LU/HSW).  Delivered as a live webinar by Tim Nass, our VP of Sales, this new program is inspired by the design professionals who have always pushed the limits of what building products can do - and fire rated glazing is no exception. It goes through how fire rated glazing has evolved from small door lites and openings, to floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall, multi-tasking fire resistive glazing systems. Case studies showing these innovative design applications in real projects are used to show participants how architects continue to push the boundaries of what fire rated glass can do. 

The virtual webinar was a success.  Over 1,300 individuals participated in the live session, making it one of the most successful virtual presentations during the 3-day AIA Virtual Education Summit.  We’ve presented the same program through other online platforms and virtual conferences, with the same enthusiasm.  

We can also offer the same, AIA-registered, live webinar through Zoom specifically to your firm.  With most offices, including architecture firms, asking their employees to work from home through what looks like the end of the year, this is a great way to get continuing education credits and engage in a live discussion with a fire rated glazing expert at the end of the program.  We can answer questions relating to fire rated code application, product selection, budget or talk about any current or upcoming projects that you may have. 

If you would like to schedule a live, virtual presentation of “Innovative Design Applications Using Advanced Fire Rated Glazing Technology” (1 AIA LU/HSW) for your firm, please send an email to Diana San Diego at dianas@safti.com. 

As I have said in my previous blog, ‘this too shall pass.’ Things will eventually get back to normal, or at least find itself a new normal.  COVID-19 may have changed the way we do our work, but not our commitment to providing useful resources to the architectural community.  If we can be of service, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 888.653.3333 or visit our website at www.safti.com for more information.