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Business of Architecture Series: Succession Planning
Business of Architecture is intended to help AIA members and the greater Cleveland design community to enhance their business acumen through expert presentations or moderated panel discussion, interactive peer discussions, and the exchange of practical tools, all centered around topic-specific facets of the design practice.
Succession planning is vital to the long-term success and resilience of firms. This session explores how proactive planning secures leadership continuity, preserves institutional knowledge, and sustains firm culture through transitions. Panelists will discuss various strategies to identify and nurture future leaders, navigate ownership changes and financial transition, and ensure the firm’s legacy endures while adapting to new opportunities. Learn how to align leadership development with business and financial goals, overcome industry-specific challenges, and prepare your firm for a successful future.
EVENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Understand the Core Benefits of Succession Planning: Learn why succession planning is essential for leadership continuity, business stability, and client trust in architecture firms.
Explore Strategies for Leadership Development: Discover methods for identifying high-potential talent, fostering mentorship, and transferring institutional knowledge effectively.
Navigate Ownership and Leadership Transitions: Gain insights into financial, legal, and cultural considerations for smooth transitions and firm sustainability.
Prepare for Industry-Specific Challenges: Identify and address unique obstacles in the architecture field, such as long project timelines and the need to balance firm tradition with innovation.
EVENT DATE: Tuesday, February 25th, 2025
EVENT LOCATION:
VOCON
3142 Prospect Ave. Cleveland, 44115
EVENT TIME:
5:00 pm | Doors Open, Check-In, (light hors d'oeuvres, beer/wine)
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm | Panel Discussion (including Q&A)
6:30 pm - 7:00 pm | Group Round Table Discussion
EVENT TICKET PRICES:
$5 | AIA, AIA Assoc., NOMA, AIA Cleveland Allied Professional Members
$10 | Non-AIA Members
FREE | Students with valid student ID
PANELISTS:
Jill Van Auken Marous, RA
Founding Principal of JVAM Design, LLC
Founder of former Van Auken Akins Architect, LLC, now DVA
Aaron Hill, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Principal and Co-CEO at Bialosky
Jeremy Bowers, PE
President at Karpinski Engineering
Moderator:
Nora Hoxha, LEED AP, Assoc. AIA
Owner | Chief Creative Officer of Hoxha Design Studio
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2030 Network - 2025 Commercial Real Estate and Climate Action Forecast
Join three thought leaders and partners of the 2030 Districts Network to hear their views for the commercial real estate market and climate change actions in the coming year. 2030 Network Executive Director, Dave Low, will lead the discussion and open with remarks on Network plans for the year.
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Wellness in Design: Yoga & Wine
Close out February with some Yoga (and some wine!) at this month's Wellness in Design event (this time, on a Thursday!) Certified yoga instructor, Angela Sanders, will lead us through an hour of yoga, followed by networking time... complete with wine and snacks courtesy of our event sponsors.
All are welcome - and the cost to attend is only $5 - so sign up today!
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Lunch & Learn: Globally Inspired Kitchen Design that Impacts Sustainability, Safety, and Accessibility
This course will take a look at the global influences, including forward-thinking design ideas from abroad, that will impact the sustainability, safety, and accessibility of kitchens.
Learning objectives include examining global regional influences; identifying forward-thinking design influences from Europe; discussing innovated food storage options, cooking technologies, and connected appliances; and exploring several winning kitchen Design Contest spaces.
AIA Cleveland Historic Resources Committee Meeting
Our mission is to promote, advance and advocate for the preservation of Northeast Ohio’s architectural heritage among AIA members, allied organizations, and the public.
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Lunch & Learn: Power of Product Transparency & Sustainability - Understanding How to Use It for Optimal Green Build & Design
Material transparency is a growing initiative in the green and healthy building arena. You'll learn about healthy and sustainable materials, limitations of regulations, green building programs, and about material transparency.
Learning objectives include understanding product transparency initiatives that benefit the building segment; reviewing legislation surrounding chemical use; and assessing material transparency labels.
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AIA Ohio Advocacy Day
SAVE THE DATE!
AIA Ohio advocates for the profession of architecture - but we can't do it without you!
Hold Thursday, March 27, on your 2025 calendar for AIA Ohio Advocacy Day.
Registration will open in January - plan now to attend!
AIA Cleveland Historic Resources Committee Meeting
Our mission is to promote, advance and advocate for the preservation of Northeast Ohio’s architectural heritage among AIA members, allied organizations, and the public.
AIA Cleveland Historic Resources Committee Meeting
Our mission is to promote, advance and advocate for the preservation of Northeast Ohio’s architectural heritage among AIA members, allied organizations, and the public.
AIA Cleveland Historic Resources Committee Meeting
Our mission is to promote, advance and advocate for the preservation of Northeast Ohio’s architectural heritage among AIA members, allied organizations, and the public.
AIA Cleveland Historic Resources Committee Meeting
Our mission is to promote, advance and advocate for the preservation of Northeast Ohio’s architectural heritage among AIA members, allied organizations, and the public.
AIA Cleveland Historic Resources Committee Meeting
Our mission is to promote, advance and advocate for the preservation of Northeast Ohio’s architectural heritage among AIA members, allied organizations, and the public.
AIA Cleveland Historic Resources Committee Meeting
Our mission is to promote, advance and advocate for the preservation of Northeast Ohio’s architectural heritage among AIA members, allied organizations, and the public.
AIA Cleveland Historic Resources Committee Meeting
Our mission is to promote, advance and advocate for the preservation of Northeast Ohio’s architectural heritage among AIA members, allied organizations, and the public.
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Lunch & Learn: ASSA ABLOY Door Security Systems
This course provides an overview of swinging doors, frames, and architectural door hardware. It will cover standard industry nomenclature for hollow metal frames and doors and wood doors. It includes information on mechanical and electronic hardware specification and applications.
Credit:
1 LU
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Building Education Series 2025: How AI is Impacting the Built Environment
How will Al impact building design, construction and operations? Al is infiltrating every aspect of lite. We’ll discuss how it will - or already is - impacting the building industry. In this session we will discuss how it is already improving the design, construction and operation of commercial buildings.
2 continuing education credits for: BOMA, AEE, ASHRAE, AIA HSW, certificate of attendance available for self-reporting for Professional Engineers, LEED and others.
COST:
$15 for members of AIA, ASHRAE, 2030 Districts, Cleveland State University, Greater Cleveland Partnership, USGBC, City of Cleveland
$20 for non-members
Students attend for free
Zoom link will be sent once registration is complete.
This event is being held in person at 1111 Superior Ave, 4th floor conference room but Zoom is available is you're not able to attend in person. You'll find ticket options when registering.
Light breakfast will be offered starting at 7:30 AM
THANKS TO OUR PRESENTING SPONSOR NOPEC
AIA Cleveland Historic Resources Committee Meeting
Our mission is to promote, advance and advocate for the preservation of Northeast Ohio’s architectural heritage among AIA members, allied organizations, and the public.
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KSU CAED Career Fair After Hours
Meet up with students, professionals, and firm leaders for a totally casual meet-up at Bell Tower Brewing after the career fair!
All are welcome to attend!
(Yes, that includes students!)
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Wellness in Design: Tea & Tarot
Looking to see what this year may have in store for you? Join us for AIA Cleveland's first Wellness in Design event of the year "Tea + Tarot!" This event will feature a guided meditation led by yogi and fellow designer, Emily Leu, followed by the chance to pull some tarot cards intended to help you reflect on the past and envision the future. Snacks and drinks (courtesy of our event sponsors) to follow!
The cost to attend is a bargain at only $5... so why not treat yourself to some time for yourself early in the new year? All are welcome, so sign up today!
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Lunch & Learn: Accessible Design for Commercial Platform Lifts and LULA Elevators
This course provides a detailed review of Vertical Platform Lifts (VPLs) and Limited Use/Limited Application (LULA) Elevators for commercial use.
We will cover code application, specification, suitability of product type, the direct governance guidelines of ADA, ANSI and ASME, and site conditions required for a successful final installation.
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Leadership Workshop: Mastering Competing Priorities
AIA Cleveland and ULI Cleveland Chapters have partnered again to bring our members and the NEO Community a one-of-a-kind opportunity designed to equip you with the tools, knowledge, techniques, and insights needed to excel in your leadership role. This workshop introduces the polarity approach—an innovative method that helps navigate competing priorities of achieving long-term goals while handling immediate tasks or balancing self-care with team support. Through interactive group discussions and hands-on practice, you’ll learn how to use these methodologies and strategies to apply immediately to bring clarity to your decision-making processes.
We have invited Gail Froelicher, the CEO, Founder, and C-Suite Executive Coach of Kinetic Insights and Chair of Gestalt Institute of Cleveland Coaching Certification Program to guide us through this process.
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Green is Good: The Business Case for Sustainability
Designers and owners often seek to create value in their buildings through sustainable design, yet the implementation of sustainable strategies is often limited by decision making that prioritizes first cost. To encourage more strategic decision making, designers and construction teams must demonstrate the long-term economic, social, and environmental value that sustainable buildings can deliver. Featuring high-performing projects in Ohio, this presentation will explain how architects and engineers were able to explore evidence-based design strategies that draw from experience, execute sustainable designs that leverage data and quantify impact, and earn access to available diversified funding sources for their clients.
Our Presenters
Joshua Haney is a Principal and serves as the Global Architecture Leader at DLR Group, where he leads a studio of more than 600 design professionals. As a discipline leader, Josh is responsible for elevating the firm’s architecture practice and collaborating with professionals across all DLR Group locations to establish standards and ensure consistency across integrated design teams. Josh has experience leading a wide range of project types with a focus on cultural and performing arts institutions. Most recently, Josh managed DLR Group’s design of the CWRU Maltz Performing Arts Center project and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History Transformation project.
Coral Pais is a Principal and Senior High-Performance Designer with DLR Group and has worked on a range of project types including Higher Education, Cultural, Federal, and Healthcare. Coral is a member of the firm’s Climate + Environment Team and uses building performance simulation to help designers not only quantify energy savings but make decisions that are integrated, holistic and mindful of the triple bottom line. As an integrated design leader, Coral brings her expertise in engineering, data analytics and engagement to lead energy management planning projects for cities and large institutions to help them find practical pathways to decarbonize their portfolio, cost-effectively.
Hans Walter is a Senior Associate at DLR Group and has been a design leader on several complex, highly technical projects for nationally recognized healthcare institutions including the Cleveland Clinic, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, and the Mount Saini Health System. He is committed to designing environments that balance the technical demands of healing with the psychological needs of caring. Nationally, Hans serves as the director for the Design Awards Committee for the AIA Academy of Architecture for Health, and he contributes to the Career Path Committee with the American College of Healthcare Architects.
This session is sponsored by AIA Columbus COTE and AIA Cleveland.
January 9, 2025
12:00 -1:00 PM
Earn 1.0 LU|HSW
Zoom link will be sent out prior to the event via Ticketleap.
*Online Only*
AIA Members, Allied Members, and Sponsors: Free
Non-Members: $10
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Building Education Series 2025: New Technologies for the Built Environment
We're kicking off the new year with a great session. Our speakers will present innovative new technologies used to build and operate commercial buildings. We'll learn about inventive ultra low-power sensors and energy harvesting technology that do not require WiFi, cellular signals or the building's internal wiring. We'll also hear about cutting edge energy systems used in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Cleveland Museum of Natural History projects that allow for remarkable energy savings and reduced emissions. There are also advancements in the way contaminants are removed from boiler systems that require no chemicals, making the process safer and easier as well as more operationally efficient and cost effective. We're still working to confirm a speaker that will provide a case study of The Spiral building in Manhattan. This unique project incorporated groundbreaking architecture and a number of cutting-edge features such as American-made lightweight / high-strength steel, all contributing to the sustainable solutions of the project.
Speakers:
Mike Smith, WhiteSpace Technologies
Tom Sherman, Sustainable Energy Systems
Brian Kane, Osborn Engineering2 continuing education credits for: BOMA, AEE, ASHRAE, AIA HSW, certificate of attendance available for self reporting for Professional Engineers, LEED and others.
$15 for members of AIA, ASHRAE, 2030 Districts, Cleveland State University, Greater Cleveland Partnership, USGBC, City of Cleveland
$20 for non-members
Students attend for free
Zoom link will be sent once registration is complete.
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Celebration of Preservation - Call for Nominations
Celebration of Preservation Project Nominations
End Date: Sunday, January 5, 2025
How to nominate: Click the button below to fill out the appropriate nomination forms!
We are accepting nominations for the 2025 Celebration of Preservation! This year we will hold the awards program in March so be sure to get your nomination in by 5pm on January 5, 2025.
Each year, the Cleveland Restoration Society and AIA Cleveland recognize outstanding historic preservation projects from the region during our annual Awards Program. Projects are nominated by either their architect, owner, builder or the community and reviewed by a jury of historic preservation experts and AIA architects. We would love to see what projects you believe should be included in this year's program. Whether it is your own or someone else's, please fill out the form that is available on the CRS website. We hope to hear from you soon!
In addition to the general Preservation Awards, AIA Cleveland Historic Resources Committee and CRS feature two annual Celebration of Preservation new design awards recognizing AIA Cleveland chapter members:
· Award for Compatible Addition to a Historic Structure
· Award for Compatible New Building in a Historic District
These awards recognize built and unbuilt work from the past five years by an AIA Cleveland Chapter member (in current good standing and all membership levels)
The Award for a Compatible Addition to an Historic Structure recognizes alterations to a National Register property or a local landmark that creatively complies with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties. A structure eligible for the Award for Compatible New Building in an Historic District must reside in a local, state, or national landmark district and display the core architectural characteristics for which the district was designated, including materials, features, scale, proportion, massing, lot size, and floor-area ratio.
AIA Cleveland and CRS also give out the AIA Cleveland Chapter Craftsmanship Award to a building contractor or specialist who demonstrates exemplary restoration or rehabilitation skills in a finished product.
Entries will be received by the Cleveland Restoration Society as part of its Celebration of Preservation Awards Program. Deadline is January 5th.
AIA Cleveland Entry Forms, and other details, may be found on CRS's page, by clicking the same link featured above. Full entry details are available upon request from Margaret Lann (mlann@clevelandrestoration.org)
We look forward to celebrating your work in March 2025!
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AIA Cleveland Community Outreach Committee Meeting
We engage communities, inspire teamwork, and create positive change. Our work brings us together with the public to explore how design solutions can improve the quality of everyone’s lives.
To learn more about Community Outreach and to RSVP to the meeting, connect with the committee at these emails:
jamesdcowanjr@gmail.com
bkweller@bialosky.com
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Yoga & Cococa
Get ready for the ho-ho-holiday with some light exercise, warm drinks, and new friends at this month’s Wellness in Design event, Yoga & Cocoa!
Yogi and designer, Emily Leu, will be leading us through an hour of all-levels yoga sprinkled with some holiday cheer & poses. Afterwards, we will enjoy some hot chocolate, cookies, and some snacks as we wind down for the upcoming holidays. We encourage you to be as festive as you want… especially by wearing some of your most favorite holiday attire and sweaters!
All are welcome at this event series (including non-members), so bring a friend and sign up today! Registration for all this fun is only $5 so what are you waiting for?!
A special thanks to our event sponsors:
MGS Global Group
Lighting Dynamics
APG Office Furnishings
REGISTRATION:
All attendees: $5
A calendar invite will be sent to you when you register with more information.
Young Architects & Associate Members (YAAM) Committee Meeting
We are a committee dedicated to bridging the gap between passion and practice in the built environment; embracing advocates, students & emerging professionals.
All AIA members welcome!
AIA Cleveland Executive Committee Board Meeting
Monthly AIA Cleveland Executive Committee of the Board Meeting
AIA WIA+ Committee Meeting
WIA+ Committee (Formerly Women in Architecture) aspires to educate, advocate, and empower on matters of:
1. Gender equity in our profession.
2. Visibility and influence of women architects and designers.
3. Leadership and mentorship of all members.
Please RSVP your attendance to nhoxha13@gmail.com
We will continue to have our monthly committee meetings as a hybrid.
In-person Meeting: Bowen’s Office.
(Park in spots marked for The Hive guests)
AIA Cleveland Historic Resources Committee Holiday Gathering
Our mission is to promote, advance and advocate for the preservation of Northeast Ohio’s architectural heritage among AIA members, allied organizations, and the public.
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Holiday Mixer
RESCHEDULED!
Celebrate the end of the year with AIA Cleveland at this year’s Holiday Mixer get-together! This casual event will feature good food, seasonal beverages, and just a little mischief in the form of some reindeer games! Let’s toast to a year of new friends, new projects, and a strong architectural community!
Feeling extra festive? Wear your ugliest holiday sweater!
This event is sold out.
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AIA Cleveland Design Awards 2024
The AIA Cleveland Design Awards Committee is pleased to announce our venue and keynote speaker for the 2024 Awards Ceremony!
Starting with the venue, we are extremely excited to be hosting our event in Hotel Cleveland (former Renaissance Hotel) located on Public Square. This space will serve as a wonderful backdrop for our evening’s events. We are looking forward to being one of the largest groups to first experience this newly renovated venue!
In addition, we are pleased to announce that our 2024 Jury Chair and Keynote speaker is Steve Dumez, FAIA from the award-winning firm Eskew Dumez Ripple+.
For more information:
https://www.aiacleveland.com/designawards
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AIA Cleveland Community Outreach Committee Meeting
We engage communities, inspire teamwork, and create positive change. Our work brings us together with the public to explore how design solutions can improve the quality of everyone’s lives.
To learn more about Community Outreach and to RSVP to the meeting, connect with the committee at these emails:
jamesdcowanjr@gmail.com
bkweller@bialosky.com
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Wellness in Design: Yoga & Wine
Squeeze in some light exercise before all that turkey at this month’s Wellness in Design event! Yoga instructor, Angela Sanders, will lead the group through an hour of all-levels yoga before we celebrate the season of giving with snacks and drinks, courtesy of our event sponsors.
Registration is only $5 & is open to everyone (even if you aren’t an AIA member). Bring a friend and make new ones - we hope to see you there!
A special thanks to our event sponsors:
MGS Global Group
Lighting Dynamics
APG Office Furnishings
Young Architects & Associate Members (YAAM) Committee Meeting
We are a committee dedicated to bridging the gap between passion and practice in the built environment; embracing advocates, students & emerging professionals.
All AIA members welcome!
Lunch & Learn: Precast Concrete Solutions - Parking Structures
Attendees will learn about and discuss:
Introduction of precast concrete parking structure benefits, sustainability and components.
Will show the simplicity of precast connections.
Present precast design issues & considerations including opportunities for LEED qualification.
Demonstrate the economic and sustainable benefits of precast concrete throughout the project.
Credit:
1 HSW CEU
AIA Cleveland Executive Committee Board Meeting
Monthly AIA Cleveland Executive Committee of the Board Meeting
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From Cleveland to Coastland
This weekday evening session is a joint initiative of the local chapters four professional design organizations in Cleveland – American Institute of Architects, American Planning Association, American Society of Landscape Architects and the Urban Land Institute. It is titled “From Cleveland to Coastland,” capturing the excitement, multiple plans and development projects in Cleveland as we reposition our future as a dual waterfront city.
The event will be held on Thursday, November 14th from 4:00pm – 6:30pm at the Cleveland Foundation’s HQ in Midtown. The formal program will run for one hour, from 4:30-5:30pm with a welcome and presentations on the history of Cleveland’s downtown and waterfront development, followed by a panel discussion of design, planning and development professionals leading work in downtown and along the waterfronts. A networking reception will follow (5:30-6:30pm) where industry professionals are encouraged to meet and learn from allied professionals in architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning and real estate development.
This event in Fall 2024 is envisioned as the first in a series of continuing education opportunities that will continue through 2025 that focus on the redevelopment of Cleveland’s waterfronts. We are excited to introduce the work to our collective audience in the first event this fall with a deep dive (pun intended) into the rich history of Cleveland’s river and lakefront and current re-imagining of our city’s relationship to the water and associated improvements in downtown.
Learning Objectives:
Participants will:
Learn the history of urban planning, ecology and development in Downtown Cleveland and along its two primary waterfronts, the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie.
Explore, identify and describe current planning, real estate development, architectural and economic development tools, initiatives and projects underway in Downtown Cleveland and along its two primary waterfronts, the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie, as presented by industry experts.
Interpret and analyze opportunities for re-imaging the public realm of Downtown Cleveland and its two primary waterfronts, the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie.
Be prepared to propose professional observations while physically exploring Downtown Cleveland and its primary waterfronts in the second and third session in the “From Cleveland to Coastland” series.
Agenda
4:00 pm - Doors Open
4:30 pm - Program Begins
5:30 pm - Networking Social Hour
Registration
Members of ULI, AIA, and APA can register utilizing the discounted "Member" rate.
Questions? Concerns? Email Cleveland@uli.org
1 AIA, APA, ASLA, and Real Estate CEU pending.
AIA WIA+ Committee Meeting
WIA+ Committee (Formerly Women in Architecture) aspires to educate, advocate, and empower on matters of:
1. Gender equity in our profession.
2. Visibility and influence of women architects and designers.
3. Leadership and mentorship of all members.
Please RSVP your attendance to nhoxha13@gmail.com
We will continue to have our monthly committee meetings as a hybrid.
In-person Meeting: Bowen’s Office.
(Park in spots marked for The Hive guests)
AIA Cleveland Historic Resources Committee Meeting
Our mission is to promote, advance and advocate for the preservation of Northeast Ohio’s architectural heritage among AIA members, allied organizations, and the public.
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Lunch & Learn: Improving Quality & Success in Metal Building Design & Construction
This program provides architects with an overview of how the AC472 and AC478 accreditations for metal building design, fabrication and construction can be used to complement the building process. It will provide an in depth look at what is included in the accreditation process and why it is important for the safety and quality of the building. This program will outline why accreditation is important and can benefit the architect.
Speakers:
Greg West – Vice President, Accreditation Program Development Group, IAS
Walter Mershon - Technical Assessor, IAS
Laura Uraine - Senior Specialist, Accreditation Program Development Group, IAS
Dan Halme - Owner, Halme Builders
Learning Objectives:
Learn about the growth and trends for metal building systems.
Learn about the only two accreditation programs that are helping design professionals identify qualified metal building manufacturers and assemblers.
Learn when to specify accredited companies that design, manufacture and erect metal building systems.
Learn how to identify and locate accredited contractors and manufacturers.
1 LU CES