The 30,000-circulation magazine has been mailed to 24,000 homes with appraised values of $600,000 plus and to approximately 5,000 owners of residential lots with an appraised value of $150,000 plus. Approximately 1,000 copies are distributed to the ARA sponsors, with some distributed in hotels and golf clubhouses.
Hutchison notes that the group plans to add editorial in the next issue helpful to the owners, members and sponsors such as information on the members and their work, narratives on how the design process might work, information on architectural styles and updated construction methods.
The group schedules regular networking events, hosted by its sponsors every six to eight weeks. The inaugural event was at Hinkley’s Lighting Factory in Scottsdale Feb. 10, and the next will be at Cyber Sound, also in Scottsdale, Wednesday, April 6. In addition, the member architects gather to discuss ARA business every six to eight weeks in between networking events.
The networking events, posted at www.ArizonaResidentialArchitects.com, are open to ARA sponsors. “We’re looking for builders, designers, landscape architects and vendors that have a great reputation and offer exceptional service to their clients,” Tsontakis says.
The events provide camaraderie as well as a better understanding of what other industry members can provide, he explains. “It’s so much easier if we already know a future collaborator than meeting them on a job site for the first time. And, we all want to be acquainted with the best in the business so that we can feel secure in our recommendations to clients.”
Tsontakis has already seen some referrals through the book, and other members have also received overtures from potential clients who have seen the publication or heard about the group. Miller, for instance, just sealed a new home design contract after he showed the owner the ARA publication.
“The association of ARA architects has raised my confidence in my ability to create lasting projects,” he says, “and when my new client saw my representation in the ARA magazine, it added to his opinion of my work — and possibly helped in securing the new work.”
For information on the ARA or becoming a sponsor, contact Tsontakis, 480.874.2288, or e-mail him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The new ARA Web site is www.ArizonaResidentialArchitects.com.
