Bentley Offers AIA-Registered BIM Seminars During AIA National Convention.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

AIA Expo 2003

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 1, 2003

The American Institute of Architects and Bentley Systems, Incorporated, today announced that special sessions of Bentley's building information modeling (BIM) executive seminars will be hosted at the AIA National Convention in San Diego from May 8-10. Convention attendees can participate in a seminar about BIM, the next evolution of CAD for the building industry, by coming to the Bentley booth, no. 2436, during AIA Expo2003.

"Building information modeling clearly increases productivity and business opportunity for architects," said James Dinegar, AIA Chief Operating Officer. "It also allows the entire building team of architects, engineers, contractors and owners to work together more effectively. The AIA is committed to keeping our members informed about the latest developments in architectural practice and providing forums for their professional development."

In Bentley's one-hour seminar, building professionals can learn how to incorporate BIM into their practice and start gaining immediate benefits. AIA members will receive one AIA Continuing Education Learning Unit for attending. Response has been overwhelmingly positive from the hundreds of building professionals who have already attended seminars in more than 25 cities across the globe.

"Bentley users have created projects from the conventional to the most inspiring in the world, and we applaud the work being done by these leading firms using our BIM technology," said Brad Workman, Vice President of Bentley Building. "We are pleased to offer AIA members this unique opportunity to learn more about BIM and how it can elevate the capabilities and quality of their practices."

BIM seminars will continue throughout 2003 at Bentley and AIA facilities in a variety of cities. Additional seminar dates, venues, and registration, along with a white paper detailing Bentley's vision of BIM and a recap of the BIM debate between Bentley and Autodesk, are available at www.bentley.com/bim. Attendees of the Bentley International User Conference in Baltimore can participate in a seminar on BIM technologies on Wednesday, May 21, at 8:15 a.m.

About BIM

Bentley is a market leader in building information modeling (BIM). A superset of CAD, BIM captures essential building concepts and information beyond drawings and provides a managed environment for building projects and operations. Bentley's BIM solution encompasses 20 enabling BIM technologies, is based on the proven and scalable MicroStation(R) platform, and offers a unique ramp to BIM so users can run mixed projects and realize BIM via evolution versus revolution.

About the AIA

Since 1857, the AIA has represented the professional interests of America's architects. As AIA members, nearly 70,000 licensed architects and allied professionals express their commitment to excellence in design and livability in our nation's buildings and cities. Members adhere to a code of ethics and professional conduct that assures the client, the public, and colleagues of an AIA-member architect's dedication to the highest standards in professional practice.

This year, more than 17,000 architects will gather at the AIA Annual Convention and Expo, titled "Design Matters! Poetry and Proof," taking place May 8-10 in San Diego.

For more information, call 1-800-AIA-3837 or visit us on the Web at www.aia.org.

About Bentley

Bentley Systems, Incorporated, a global software vendor founded in 1984, provides software solutions to create, manage, and publish architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) content. Bentley enables leading AEC firms and owners to design, build, and operate facilities, industrial plants, roadways, and other essential infrastructure assets. Bentley delivers integrated building design, plant design, civil engineering, and geospatial solutions for transportation, process and discrete manufacturing, government and public works, building, and utilities.

Bentley's 2002 revenues reached $230 million. Bentley software plays a mission-critical role in over two-thirds of the work of the Engineering News-Record Top 500 Design Firms.

For more information, call 1-800-BENTLEY or visit us on the Web at www.bentley.com.

Bentley, the "B" logo and MicroStation are registered trademarks of Bentley Systems, Incorporated or Bentley Software, Inc. Other brands and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.