The convention, which began Thursday and ends Saturday, is expected to pump at least $21.4 million into the local economy.
The AIA picked Denver as its site in 1994.This marks the first time since 1966 that Denver hosted the AIA.
''Any convention site is chosen on a number of factors, such as quality of facilities, the convention sites, hotels and restaurants and amenities for all of the architects,'' AIA spokesman Mike Janes tells GlobeSt.com. ''Certainly, for qualify of life and livability quotient, Denver was high on the scale. We also try to achieve some regional balance."
By coincidence, Denver architect John Anderson is this year's AIA president.
''I don't think that was even on most people's radar screen when we chose Denver,'' Janes says.
Final attendance won't be tallied until after the convention is over. Last year's convention attracted a record 19,000, says AIA spokesman Phil Simon, who isn't ruling out that Denver could draw even more. ''We're very helpful the record can be broken again,'' he adds.
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