Trade Mission to Brazil by Architects, Commerce Department Begins Monday

WASHINGTON (October 3, 2013) –The International Trade Administration and the American Institute of Architects will open a four-day Architecture Services Trade Mission to Brazil Oct. 7 that will introduce U.S. firms to Brazil’s rapidly expanding market for architectural services as it prepares to host the FIFA World Cup in 2014, the Summer Olympics in 2016, as well as other opportunities. The mission to Rio de Janeiro and Recife, Brazil, includes representatives from leading small or medium-sized U.S. architectural services companies that provide state-of-the-art and world class designs. Targeted sectors holding high potential for U.S architectural firms include master planning, regional and neighborhood design, as well as architecture for sports facilities, ports, hospitals, health care facilities, airports and other transportation infrastructure, mixed-use projects and green-building design services. “American architects are pre-eminent in the world, and their talent and expertise are in high demand in many fast-growing global markets like Brazil,” said AIA President Mickey Jacob, FAIA. “The AIA is looking to partner with Brazilian architects on needed projects—whether related to the ‘mega-projects’ of the Olympics or World Cup or on larger infrastructure and planning projects that Brazil needs as a growing economic power.” Jacob, who is travelling to Brazil as part of the trade mission, added, “To that end, the AIA will be meeting with local and national architecture associations, regional government groups and the national licensing organization to better understand how to work in the vibrant Brazilian culture.” The Brazil trade mission is the second such mission undertaken by the AIA in the past year. A trade mission to India took place about a year ago. Further questions about the trade mission should be directed to Jessica Salmoiraghi, the AIA’s director of federal relations, at 202-626-7398, email: Jessicasalmoiraghi@aia.org