The 2008 TFM (Today's Facility Manager) Show this past April provided a plethora of information for facility management professionals. For more information, and information on the upcoming show in November 2008, please visit Today's Facility Manager.

TORONTO, March 26 /CNW/ - According to a George Brown College survey released today at the 7th annual Technology in the City, four in five employers in the construction and engineering sectors put priority on recruiting staff with training and knowledge in environmentally sound practices, while nine in 10 students feel a company's environmental practices and policies will play a significant role in their decision to work for them. For more information, please visit CNW Group.

Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today introduced The Complete Streets Act of 2008, which would work to promote the design of streets that are safe for all of those using the street— including motorists, bus riders, bicyclists, and pedestrians, including people with disabilities. Between 1993 and 2003, nearly 52,000 pedestrians and more than 7,400 bicyclists were killed in road accidents; studies show that the designing streets with pedestrians in mind may reduce pedestrian risk by as much as 28 percent. Harkin was joined in this effort by Senator Tom Carper (D-DE). For more information, please read the Full Article.

The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) has proclaimed April 2008 as National Landscape Architecture Month. ASLA chapters across the country will celebrate with public outreach activities to help school-aged children and educators "Discover Careers in Landscape Architecture," the theme for 2008. The month encompasses Earth Day on April 22 and the birthday of Frederick Law Olmsted on April 26, who founded the American landscape architecture profession. For more information read the full article in Reed|ACP Construction Data.

The Association of Professional Engineers of Nova Scotia (APENS) has decided to adopt a new logo -- Engineers Nova Scotia -- and will use that name in its everyday dealings with the public and members. The association's official and legal name remains as it was, and members' stamps will remain the same.

Nova Scotia's move to simplify its identity follows a move last year by the national body -- the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers --which became Engineers Canada. For more information read the full article on Canadian Consulting Engineer.

Much like we can expect from the American people in next year’s election, the votes among the nation’s top interior designers and manufacturers are split when it comes to forecasting what will be “hot” in home decor in 2008.

The good news is that there’s no mudslinging or veto power. In fact, design bipartisanship is encouraged, as it results in a myriad of choices for today’s style- and value-conscious consumers. Read the full story in Savvy Decorating.

Oklahoma's Corporation Commission is looking at ways it might be able to encourage electrical customers to conserve power. Possibilities include everything from offering rebates to customers who buy more energy-efficient appliances to allowing utilities to charge higher electricity prices, based upon when the juice is used. Even smart meters designed to control how much electricity is used during certain periods of the day are a possibility. For more information, please visit NewsOk.com.

Looking at the big picture, design professionals may need to consider how states are pricing their electricity when designing a structure.

The American Society of Interior Designers’ Foundation and the U.S. Green Building Council have partnered on the development of best practice guidelines and targeted educational resources for sustainable residential remodeling projects. This program will increase understanding of sustainable renovation project practices and benefits among homeowners, residents, design professionals, product suppliers and service providers to build both demand and industry capacity.

AIESEC US, an international not for profit organization, has been connecting companies all over the world with the top early career talent in their industry for over 50 years. Through its international exchange programs, AIESEC US has been able to source and mobilize students and recent graduates from the top universities around the world. Whether your need is fast tracking new hires by providing them with international experiences, building your global talent pipeline or recruiting and mobilizing top talent to fulfill your company’s temporary needs, AIESEC US’s expertise in creating customized global talent solutions can be a valuable resource in attracting and retaining the world’s next generation of highly skilled individuals. For more information on AIESEC US and the services that we offer please visit our website at AIESEC or e-mail Ashlee M. Moore.

The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) is in active plans to establish a standardized industry wide rating system similar to the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). To read more of the article, please visit the lohasian.

No longer content with just the outdoor kitchen, homeowners will add entire great rooms outdoors this year according to a survey of leading members of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). On the commercial side, clients will focus on low maintenance landscapes, stormwater runoff, and earning LEED(R) certification. To read more of the article, visit centredaily.com.

ASHRAE has received accreditation for its education program from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). For more information, please visit Facility Blog or ASHRAE Learning Institute

As noted in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette the American Society of Landscape Architects is promoting a new rating system, the Sustainable Sites Initiative, to measure the sustainability of landscape design projects. The council is lending its support and eventually will adopt the program into its LEED system.

The ASLA is collaborating with the University of Texas at Austin's Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and the United States Botanic Garden on the initiative. It will be a few years before it's implemented: The rating system will be available in spring 2011; pilot projects testing it will begin in 2010 and evaluations will be made in 2012.

Click here for a survey put together from a group of MBA students from Portland State University in Portland, Oregon. The PSU student team is working alongside a jointly funded research project sponsored by the Ecoworks Foundation, Portland State University, and the City of Portland, Oregon. The overall mission of the project is to develop design tools that can be used to optimize the performance of green roofs; tools that are certainly lacking in the fast growing green roof industry. The data gathered from the survey will be instrumental in assessing the market potential for the final product.

The survey questions do not seek proprietary information, and the responses are returned via an internet based survey company. The students do not ask for, nor will receive personal information of any kind, including e-mail addresses. We appreciate your participation!

Great News! The Construction Specifications Institute is launching
a Registered Provider Program to ensure that you have fast, easy
access to continuing education content of the highest caliber. For more information, please visit CSI.

Mark your Calendars! Together, the AIA Cornerstone Partners and AIA/CES National are collaborating to offer a one time only Marketing Symposium. This two day event, June 5 & 6, 2007 will feature John Jantsch, author of Duct Tape Marketing – The World’s Most Practical Small Business Marketing Guide. On Tuesday, June 5th Mr. Jantsch will discuss “How to Create and Operate an Education Based Marketing System: Building conversations in place of campaigns” This symposium will teach marketers how to blend the latest technology, personal marketing strategies and new media to consistently generate high quality leads, nurture a logical guided sales approach and build stronger client relationships.

The book is given a 5 star rating on Amazon.com
On Wednesday, June 6th Thom Lowther, Senior Director of the AIA/ CES Program will bridge the marketing tips offered by Mr. Jantsch with AIA/CES guidelines and blended marketing approaches to the architectural educational settings that Cornerstone Partners and CES Passport Providers face regularly. Details will become available.

Address questions about the program to Thom Lowther.

Duct Tape Marketing Registration

Current articles dealing with continuing education for design professionals:

Proving Your Worth By Dave Jennings, CAE
ASAE Professional Development Forum Online, November 2001.
(Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Continuing Ed: Defining Professional Development
by Thom Lowther, Director, AIA/CES and William F. Dexter, Construction Risk Management, W.F. Dexter Co., San Luis Obispo, California.
As published in Consulting-Specifying Engineer Magazine (July, 2002)