Vinyl Institute Provides Sturdy Support for 2009 AIA Convention

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., April 17, 2009 – As a cornerstone sponsor of the American Institute of Architects for more than 10 years, The Vinyl Institute has been an avid supporter of AIA's efforts to promote excellence, innovation, and high standards in the nation's buildings and communities.

The Vinyl Institute continues to show strong support for architects and designers at AIA Expo 2009, being held at the Moscone Center, in San Francisco, from April 29 to May 2.  For all visitors to the VI booth who complete a brief form or leave a business card, The Vinyl Institute will make a $5-donation to AIA in their name.

In exhibit booth 902, The Vinyl Institute staff will promote the versatility, durability, and energy efficiency of vinyl products in the building and construction market, answer questions of booth visitors, and distribute information on the benefits of vinyl products.

As a CES Registered Provider exhibitor, The Vinyl Institute will also provide at its booth a 15-minute presentation of "Vinyl -- Material for Life," showing how to use vinyl to solve real design challenges and benefit others.  The presenter, Terry Murphy, LEED AP, is the association's Continuing Education Program Manager.  Those who attend the presentation can earn ¼ CEU credit, and the presentation will be given three times on each of the three show days.

And on May 1 from 7 to 9 p.m., The Vinyl Institute will host a wine and cheese reception at the Presidio in the Thoreau Center for Sustainability for AIA attendees.  The center has won awards for its innovative design and features art galleries for viewing at the reception.

AIA Expo 2009 will feature more than 800 exhibitors, 500 workshops, seminars, tours, and other educational sessions, and attract thousands of architects and designers from throughout the country and around the world. 

One of the presentations will be "Building with Balance:  A Greenpeace Co-Founder's Perspective" given by Dr. Patrick Moore, founder of Greenspirit Strategies, Ltd. a consultancy focusing on environmental policy and communications.  "Building with Balance," to be given Friday, May 1 from 6 to 7 p.m., will offer an innovative approach to sustainable design and materials selection and will identify advanced technologies, such as manufacturing and construction techniques that combine materials like wood and plastics, as a means of cost-effective sustainable design.
 
The conference begins on April 29, and the exposition opens on April 30.  For more information on the event, go to the AIA website.

The Vinyl Institute represents the leading manufacturers involved in the production of PVC vinyl in the United States, and promotes the value of PVC and vinyl products to society.  

For more information, contact:

Jeffrey B. Palmer
Director of Marketing & Communications
The Vinyl Institute

703.741.5669
jeff_palmer@plastics.org

Also go to: www.vinylindesign.com and www.vinylinfo.org.