Thursday, October 11

For Immediate Release: National Organization of Minority Architects 2012 Conference Returns to Detroit for 40th Annual Conference October 18 – 20, 2012




CONTACTS:
Karen A. Davis                                                          
Detroit Chapter, National Organization of Minority Architects                                             
PHONE: (248) 629-0441                                            
info@nomadetroit.org
http://www.nomadetroit.org/ 

National Organization of Minority Architects
PHONE:  (202) 686-2780
programs@noma.net
http://noma.net

For Immediate Release

National Organization of Minority Architects 2012 Conference Returns to Detroit for 40TH Annual Conference October 18 – 20, 2012

WHAT: The National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) returns to the city where it was founded – Detroit, Michigan – for its 40th annual conference October 18 – 20. With the theme “40 Years in the Making: A Legacy Driven by Design,” the conference will feature professional development and continuing education seminars, exhibitors, tours of Detroit's architecture, a community service project, and a student design competition focused on the city's Corktown neighborhood.

WHO: More than 500 NOMA members, affiliates and students are expected, including architects, interior designers, planners, and construction and real estate professionals. NOMA membership boasts 22 chapters nationwide and numerous outstanding professionals and firms.

WHERE: The Westin Book Cadillac Hotel, 1114 Washington Boulevard, Detroit, Michigan 48226

WHEN: 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily, Thursday, October 18 through Saturday, October 20, 2012

COMMUNITY SERVICE LEGACY PROJECT: NOMA has designed and will build modular display units that WARM Training Center will use to share their educational programs with Detroiters. WARM Training Center is an organization that promotes the development of resource efficient, affordable, healthy homes and communities through education, training and technical assistance. Volunteers and partners are welcome to participate Wednesday, October 17, 2012. See more on http://pinterest.com/noma2012/community-service-legacy-project/

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS: Monica Ponce de Leon, dean of the Taubman College of Architecture + Urban Planning at the University of Michigan will present "Minority Opinion" as the Luncheon keynote speaker on Friday, October 19th.

At the Saturday, October 20th Awards Banquet, keynote speaker Karen Hudson, will present her grandfather's work, "The Life & Works of Paul R. Williams." Born in 1894, Mr. Williams was a Los Angeles-based African American architect who designed homes for numerous celebrities, including Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, and Lon Chaney.

SPECIAL EVENTS: Thursday evening, October 18th at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, MI, the Detroit Chapter of NOMA hosts a panel discussion on Detroit Urban Planning. Scheduled panelist are: Sue Mosey, president of Midtown Detroit, Inc.; Toni Griffin, consultant to the Detroit Works Project; Faye Nelson, President & CEO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy; and George W. Jackson, Jr., President & CEO of the Detroit Economic Growth Corp.

The perennial Bros Arts Ball, which will take place in the beautiful rotunda of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit on Friday, October 19th, promises an evening of fun, networking and museum exploration. NOMA founders will open the event with a discussion of the organization’s origins and importance to architects and others who are concerned with the built environment.

The closing Banquet and Awards ceremony on Saturday at the host hotel will introduce newly elected leadership and present Professional Design Awards, Chapter and Member of the Year Awards, and the Founder’s Award.

SEMINARS: The Conference features over 60 workshops and seminars with continuing education system learning units (CES) available from the American Institute of Architects.  Presentation topics include: diversity; the city of Detroit; students and emerging professionals; design; sustainability; real estate development; technology; and professional practice. A complete schedule is available at http://noma.net

STUDENT DESIGN COMPETITION: “Urban [space] US12... Idea Center” seeks ideas for the invigoration and infusion of community-led design and economic development in Southwest Detroit. Design teams from NOMA Student chapters across the U.S. studied historical site conditions and the current social, cultural, economic, and physical space conditions found in this unique community, as well as the entrepreneurial spirit of the community's citizens. Teams will present their designs and models Saturday, October 20th, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm at the host hotel with successful planning and design solutions addressing how the city and neighborhood can optimally leverage Michigan Avenue’s Corktown District. The Competition brief can be downloaded at http://noma.net/EventsPrograms/events_2012conference.aspx.

DETROIT TOURS: Available as seminar options or as separate walking and bus adventures, attendees can explore metro Detroit’s stunning architecture: Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills; homes designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright; downtown Detroit theaters; Lafayette Park, and more.

SPONSORS AND EXHIBITORS: Lawrence Technological University, Gensler, Taubman
College of Architecture + Urban Planning at the University of Michigan, The American Institute  of Architects, Bedrock Real Estate Services, Wayne County Community College District, and many other local and national companies and organizations are sponsors of this year’s Conference.



SOCIAL MEDIA: Connect with the NOMA Conference conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest at /NOMA2012 and follow conversation using the hashtag #NOMA2012.




ABOUT NOMA NATIONAL - The National Organization of Minority Architects’ (NOMA) mission is to champion diversity within the design professions by promoting the excellence, community engagement, and professional development of its members.

ABOUT NOMA DETROIT - The National Organization of Minority Architects was founded in 1971 as a means to foster communications among minority architects and to fight discriminatory practices used by public sector and private clients. Founded in 2006, the Detroit chapter hosts activities that highlight the architecture profession, the needs of the community, and provides solutions that will insure a healthy living and working environment.


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Karen A. Davis | Building Industry Resources
TechTown 440 Burroughs No. 66 | Detroit, MI 48202 | 248.210.3750 www.buildingsource.net 


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