The AIA conference kicks off tomorrow at the Miami Beach Convention Center. More than 20,000 people are expected to attend this year's event.

I arrived in Miami this afternoon (from New York) and headed to South Beach, where I'll be staying for the next few days. The McGraw-Hill team is shacking up at the Gansevoort Hotel, a relatively short walk from the expo center.

I spent the afternoon checking out sites near the hotel. Below are a few images. Tomorrow, the action begins!

The view from my hotel room
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The hyper-designed David Barton Gym located next to the hotel
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Lobby of the gym.It costs $50 a day to work out here (no, I didn't stay).
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Escalator leading to the gym
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A patio at the W Hotel just up the street
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In case you were wondering, that's artificial grass
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The "Plunge" rooftop bar at the Gansevoort Hotel
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Just what every bar needs: an outdoor lap pool!
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It's the slow season in Miami, as you can tell from the empty chairs
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A gorgeous view from the roof.No tar balls here. Miami is on the east side of Florida; it doesn't border the Gulf of Mexico,where the oil spill is poisoning the water.
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McGraw-Hill employees strategizing for the AIA convention. Visit us at booth #1903
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All photos © Jenna M. McKnight