AIA Approves Initial Tropical Plants to Deliver Continuing Education

RIVERWOODS, Ill – Initial Tropical Plants, the largest provider of interior landscaping, design installation and maintenance services in the world, has announced that the company has been approved by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) as a Continuing Education Systems (CES) Registered Provider to deliver continuing education to architects. Initial Tropical Plants’ AIA program is being offered throughout the United States and Canada. 

“The American Institute of Architects is a community of 75,000 licensed architects and associated professionals who are dedicated to transforming visions into realities each and every day,” said Jeff Mariola, president, Initial Tropical Plants. “The artful integration of plants into residential and commercial spaces provides significant aesthetic and health benefits. We’re proud to help these talented professionals learn how to best add ‘greenery’ to their aesthetic visions.”

The AIA CES Program is in addition to Initial’s partnership with the Building Owners & Managers Association, announced in August, to offer interior plantscaping education to that organization’s members through its Building Owners & Managers Institute (BOMI). “We’ve received consideration interest, to date, for both the AIA and BOMA programs,” Mariola told Lawn & Landscape. “We expect even more activity later this year and next year. Because we’re in our holiday season, we haven’t yet begun marketing into either organization.”

Mariola says he expects those marketing efforts to begin in December and January for first-quarter seminars. The training will be available online through www.initialplants.com, as well as www.plants-in-buildings.com. On-site classes are also available. “All training for the on-site classes will be provided by the local Initial Tropical Plants branch manager and a design consultant,” Mariola says, adding that each class will last about one hour.

“The AIA plays an active role in the continuing education of its members,” said Andrea Raggambi, CES Manager for the AIA. “We strive to provide valued opportunities for AIA members to maximize their professional skills through effective learning partnerships.” AIA members must earn 18 continuing education hours annually to remain in good standing. Initial's interior plantscaping education option will help broaden the awareness of this service segment, benefitting the interior landscape industry as a whole.

Initial Tropical Plants is available to conduct on-site seminars immediately. The online program will commence June 2006. For further information on the seminars in North America, please contact Mike Purcell at Initial Tropical Plants who can be reached at AIA@initialplants.com.