Registration is now open for the 2008 Traditional Building Exhibition and Conference at Chicago’s historic Navy Pier, September 18-20, 2008. Attendees can choose from over 65 educational seminars, workshops, tours and special events and earn up to 18 continuing education credits within five unique tracks, most of which qualify for Health Safety Welfare credits. The conference tracks: Residential Practice, Sustainability, New Construction, Traditional Trades, and Preservation in Practice are designed to help organize your learning experience.

The AIA Historic Resources Committee works with the conference staff to select and sponsor topics that are of special interest to HRC members; including, Thursday afternoon Keynote Address: Building in a Time of Global Warming: Principles of Architecture and Urbanism for the 21st Century by Notre Dame, Dean of Architecture, Michael Lykoudis, AIA. Join Dean Lykoudis as he addresses how the principles of traditional architecture and urbanism provide the foundation of sustainability. Other HRC–sponsored sessions include: Assessing Energy Performance in Historic Buildings, Mid-Century Modern Commercial Resources, Vintage Skyscrapers: An Economic Case for Rehabilitating, Lean & Green: A Master Class on Early 20th Century Planning Principles, and Mark Schara, AIA, from the National Park Service will highlight the 75th anniversary of the Historic American Buildings Survey in an hour-long retrospective, plus many more.

The Traditional Building Exhibition and Conference is a unique opportunity for architects, planners, developers and building owners to gather together in a forum that explores the profitability and sustainability of traditional building. Spend three days exploring how the impact of responsible preservation work helps local, national and global economies in today’s challenging times. Learn how well coordinated project teams of architects, developers, planners, and building owners utilize both high technology and centuries-old craftsmanship to maintain, restore and rehabilitate historic structures. Find out how new construction, too, is reinterpreting older forms. Experience how skillful designers are creating the “new old” house and adding artful, sympathetic additions to landmark structures. Or how new affordable housing can be created to mesh with the vernacular styles of earlier eras. Understand, too, why inherently "green" qualities of urban planning are critical in our work today and in the future.

Another highlight of the Traditional Building Exhibition and Conference is the Exhibit Hall, where you will find over 125 manufacturers and professional firms specializing in historic preservation, rehabilitation or new construction based on historic styles. Discover hundreds of hard to find products you can’t find anywhere else. Also, see first-hand fascinating, interactive demonstrations by master artisans and tradesmen in the LIVE demonstration area. Gain new appreciation for centuries-old crafts and source the specialized expertise you need to complete your projects.

For more information, or to register online please visit www.traditionalbuildingshow.com or call toll free 1-866-566-7840.