Over the past decade, the metropolitan Phoenix area has experienced tremendous growth.  Along with that growth, the number of architects in the “Valley” has also surged.  In order to better serve its members and the community as a whole, the AIA Phoenix Metro Chapter initiated Chapter Sections.  The role of the Sections is to focus work in specific geographic regions in such areas as local politics, professional practice issues, media communication, education and community service.   The goals of the Phoenix Metro Section are to:

• Develop and strengthen relationships with City of Phoenix departments such as Development Services and Planning, among others, through two-way information exchange sessions
• Disseminate information about local area projects (including site visits), local firms, infrastructure issues, and other developments and activities relevant to the Section

Involving local architects in the Phoenix Metro Sections will naturally result in:

• A more focused sense of purpose in the community in which they live and/or work
• Increased networking with other architects in the Section, helping to achieve more meaningful relationships with other members
• Fostering a sense of belonging and local pride that will generate more membership interest, especially as architects feel they are making a difference
• A stronger public voice politically resulting from the specific involvement of architects at a more local level

We are still one chapter and will continue to come together for program meetings, lectures, architecture week and the state conference.  The benefits of the Section are the creation of more opportunities for our members to network with local colleagues, to build and sustain our local communities, to further participate in the chapter, including obtaining leadership positions, and to further grow in the profession overall.