We often think of Architecture as a profession within a vacuum, an idyllic world in which design is left to the imagination of the Architect and the possibilities of success are endless… so long as one finds a client. For as great as an Architects work is, or could be, without a client to realize those abilities with, an Architects work often goes unrealized and unappreciated. In a profession built on the visual and the tactile, the ability to verbally translate ideas and abilities serves as both the facilitator and denier. All Architecture school students have gone through the critique process, but presenting to someone within academia is wildly different than making a pitch to a potential client.
AIA New York is hosting an workshop for perfecting the architectural pitch in two minutes or less. The power of a two-minute elevator pitch lies in cutting your mission and values down to the essentials, capturing a client’s interest to make them want to know more about you and hopefully hire you.
Every day, architecture firm principals, marketing directors, and business development managers are busy selling their firms’ abilities to prospective clients and review agencies. Those who are skilled at articulating their firm’s strengths set themselves apart from the competition, attracting new clients and ensuring repeat business. If you are able to express your firm’s value in a two-minute value proposition or “elevator pitch,” you will turn marginal contacts into potential clients, while effectively promoting your firm’s design abilities.
This event will be a hands-on workshop designed to help participants develop an effective elevator pitch. Attendees will work in teams of five and will develop pitches based on a case study. A panel of an experienced client and senior marketing professionals will judge the pitches. Prizes will be awarded for the best pitch, as voted on by audience members.
The power of a two-minute elevator pitch lies in distilling your mission and values to the essentials, capturing a client’s interest enough that they will want to know more about you.
When: Monday, July 11, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Where: Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Pl., New York, NY 10012
Cost: Free for members; $10 for non-members
Judges:
John D. Puglisi, Assistant Vice President, Facilities Operations, Fordham University Frances Gretes, Director of Business Development, Robert A.M. Stern Architects, and President, Gretes Research Services Tami Hausman, President, Hausman LLC Richard Staub, President, Richard Staub Marketing Services
