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An American Institute of Architects Portland committee has initiated a monthly networking series for architecture students and new architects that will be hosted by Portland firms.

Yost Grube Hall Architecture hosted the first AIA Portland Emerging Professionals Happy Hour Series event last month, said Lucas Gray, associate director of the AIA Portland board. GBD Architects will host this month’s event on Feb. 20, from 5 to 7:30 p.m., at 1120 N.W. Couch St.

AIA Portland in the past hosted similar happy hour events for young architects at restaurants or bars, but they didn’t present enough networking opportunities, Gray said.

“It ended up being a lot of unemployed architects talking to other unemployed architects,” he said.

The hope, Gray said, is that as Portland architecture firms host these gatherings, principals and other senior staffers will be available to network with attendees.

“The idea is, particularly with the economy improving, hopefully more jobs are opening up,” he said. “It gets students and young architects to think about what type of firm they want to work at. The idea is to get a feel for each firm and how they work.”

AIA Portland is seeking more design firms to host the networking events, Gray said. People interested can email him at [email protected].

“Our goal is to get every firm in Portland to host one of these,” he said.