Architect 2020: Members’ Work & Trade Exhibition

Tuesday, 8 October 2019 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Architects 2020 website being launched by SLIA President Archt. Veranjan Kurukulasuriya (right), while SLIA Vice President, Architects 2020 Exhibition Committee Chairman Archt. Rohana Bandara Herath looks on – Pic by Ruwan Walpola

Architect 2020 was ceremonially launched on 1 October at the Balmoral, Hotel Kingsbury Colombo with the participation of the previous year’s patrons – stallholders, sponsors along with a host of special invitees and members of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (SLIA). As in the recent past, an interesting item on the agenda was the ‘Auctioning of prominent stalls’ with stallholders vying for the most sought-after stalls located in the most promising locations. The winners were felicitated and awarded tokens of appreciation for their adventurous spirit.

Following the welcome address by SLIA Vice President and Chairman Exhibition Committee Archt. Rohana Bandara Herath, and a speech by SLIA President Archt. Veranjan Kurukulasuriya, the evening’s proceedings advanced to the presentation of the new stall layouts of Architect 2020 which has 313 trade stalls on offer and 124 members display panels to showcase the exquisite projects undertaken by members of SLIA. Thereafter focus was on the process of online stall reservations.

Architect 2020 will aim at increasing public awareness, access, and interaction, making it more attractive to the building trade. It will provide the general public many opportunities to interact with architects, among them the opportunity of a one-on-one free consultancy service with a panel of architects for guidance and direction for all construction-related problems encountered by them.

In addition, a Members Forum will provide educative sessions encompassing the various aspects of the profession of architecture throughout the four-day duration of the exhibition. Schoolchildren will also be facilitated a day at the exhibition as an educational experience, to enhance their knowledge.

Architect 2020 will be inaugurated on Wednesday 19 February 2020 followed up by the National Conference the following day. The ceremonial opening of the Exhibition is on 19 February and it will be open to the general public for four days: 20-23 February 2020 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

This Annual Architect’s Exhibition has also evolved into the most desired platform for the public to access the latest products and services made available by the construction industry. Architect 2019 the most recent trade exhibition featured 158 companies occupying 270 stalls exhibiting the latest products on offer by the industry. During its duration of four days, more than 65,000 individuals visited the exhibition to the entire satisfaction of stallholders for the enthusiasm displayed by visitors and the new business opportunities gained by participating at this mega exhibition.

As an added feature, the consecutive participation of stallholders over many years was also duly appreciated and recognised for their patronage and awarded tokens of appreciation.

The dynamic organising committee proved their commitment in ensuring the grandeur of Architect 2020 with a colourful launching ceremony, amid an array of top-level management of the trade.