Tue, Nov 10, 2026
Chapter Meeting: ENERGY CODE COMPLIANCE: C303, R303 & Rule 460 Who Does What?
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Provide a community to collaborate, communicate, educate and network for the advancement of the design and construction industry.

New Member News

Posted: Wed, Sep 09, 2026

Meet new member Rachel Carlson, CSI-S. Rachel is a 4th year architecture student at the University of Tennessee with a minor in Urban Studies. She currently works on campus as an Office Assistant for University Housing, manning the front desk in a residence hall and managing administrative issues. She plans to complete her studies in Knoxville and return to Chicago where she will pursue registration and eventually have her own architectural firm. 

She is a student member of the CSI Knoxville chapter and serves as the President of the CSI Student Collaboration at UTK. “This is the student organization that is affiliated with the local chapter. Together we plan events for students like construction site visits, office tours, and other real-world experiences that students don’t always get to see. “I look forward to getting more students involved and spreading the word about CSI”.

When asked about how she learned about CSI, she explained,” I first heard about CSI in spring of 2025 from Geoffrey Cavalier, who was a guest at an AIAS meeting sharing some information about architecture licensure. He mentioned CSI and some of the valuable experiences he got from being a part of it, and after the meeting I inquired further. It seemed like a great opportunity, and he told me that they were trying to get more students involved at the time. I was hoping to get connected with some mentors in my field and learn some of the things I wouldn’t be getting in school.” 

Growing up near Chicago had a strong influence on her pursuit of architecture. She explained how her interest in architecture began. “In high school I took a few engineering classes as electives and really enjoyed them. By the time my senior year rolled around, I had taken all the engineering courses, and I was looking for something else that would pique my interest. There was an introduction to architecture course that my teacher recommended, and during the class, I realized that was what I wanted to pursue. It had all the parts of engineering I liked, the technical skills and working with a team, and it had the creative design side. After further consideration, I realized that I have always was inclined towards architecture since I was a kid playing with Lego. Visiting Chicago so much as a kid played a role as well. This all clicked and suddenly it felt like I was on exactly the right path. I have only felt more validated in that decision as time goes on”.

Rachel loves hiking and the outdoors and found Knoxville was a very attractive option when researching universities.  She also loves cats and has a feline companion named Michael.  Other loves include museums, historic homes and travel. She recently spent the summer in Helsinki, Finland for a semester abroad. Rachel said, “I had never traveled outside of the country before and that was an incredible experience both in and outside of the classroom.” 

Please introduce yourself to Rachel at your first opportunity and explain what part you play in our design and construction industry. You will all be richer for the encounter.

 

 

 


CSI 2026 Awards Banquet @ TopGolf

Posted: Sat, Sep 05, 2026

CSI Awards Banquet @Top Golf

Posted: Sat, Sep 05, 2026

CSI Knoxville Awards Banquet

Date: Tuesday, September 15th

Time: 6:00–9:00 PM

Dinner and Awards at 6 PM

Golf to follow at 7:30 PM

Location: Topgolf Knoxville -

11400 Outlet Dr, Knoxville, TN 37932

Join us for our annual CSI Knoxville Awards Banquet as we celebrate our chapter’s achievements from the past year! We’re mixing it up this time and heading to Topgolf Knoxville for an evening of recognition, dinner, and fun!

After the awards ceremony, we’ll stick around to enjoy some golf and time together. The banquet is open to all CSI Knoxville members plus one guest.

Both dinner and golf provided courtesy of CSI Knoxville. 

"Smokehouse BBQ" 

Dinner Menu: 

  • Sliced Brisket with BBQ Sauce
  • Grilled Chicken Breast with BBQ Sauce
  • Cheddar Mac 'n Cheese
  • Buttered Green Beans with Peppers & Onions
  • Jalapeño Cornbread with Honey Butter
  • House Salad with Balsamic & Ranch Dressing
  • Coleslaw
  • Fountain Soda, Iced Tea, Coffee & Water

So that we may reserve enough lanes with TopGolf, we will need an accurate count in advance of golfers as well as dinner guests; Please use the link below to let us know if you and your guest will be attending dinner, indicating if you and/or your guest will be staying to play TopGolf after. 

RSVP REQUIRED - REGISTER HERE


Gulf States Region Conference in Knoxville this Summer

Posted: Wed, Mar 25, 2026

The CSI Gulf States Region Conference will be held in Knoxville at the Crowne Plaza Hotel July 8 - 11, 2026. The conference steering committee is crafting the programming around a Team Building theme, with major Key Note speakers from our local university's award winning teams. Conference registration is open with early bird prices expiring June 1.

SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION

Sponsorships are now available. Follow this link for information. INFO

Purchase a Sponsorship HERE.

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

Download the schedule of events HERE.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

Early Bird Registration Open Now!

HOTEL REGISTRATION

CSI Room Block now OPEN.

Knoxville is thrilled to announce that our own Children's Hospital has been renamed the Dolly Parton Children's Hospital. Learn more about this new partnership and consider making a donation to support their wonderful work!

The Steering Committee meets bi-weekly on Wednesday's after office hours either online or face to face at MHM's new offices. There are many opportunities for local chapter members and their spouses to join the Steering Committee Team and take on small tasks to help pull this effort together. Contact Aaron Miller, Chair, to join the team.

Watch this column for up to date news on exciting events that will be included in this conference.


ETN Building Products Show - March 3

Posted: Thu, Feb 12, 2026

The East Tennessee Building Seminar & Product Show will be held on March 3, 2026 at the Jackson Terminal, 213 W. Jackson Ave. The continuing education seminar is titled Teambuilding | The Next Generation of Leaders in Design & Construction from 2:30 - 4 PM. The Product Show will open at 4 PM with over 40 manufacturers and exhibitors. The 2026 show is SOLD OUT!

Heavy hors d'oeurvres and beverages will be served.

These events are free to design & construction professionals and students.


2026 Meal Tickets Available

Posted: Fri, Dec 12, 2025

The CSI dues no longer include the cost of monthly meals. For a limited time you can purchase a meal ticket for $140. This will cover all of your meals for 2026! Instead of paying $20 at the door every month, buy yours today and take advantage of the savings! (A $20 savings). Purchase Here

A reservation for each meeting is still required in order to provide the caterer with a correct head count.

As always, students and first time guests are always free!


Meal Reservations

Reserve and pay for meals

Register


Anniversaries

JOINED THIS MONTH

  • 1 year ago Jeanne Curtis
  • 11 months ago Andy Eisner
  • 11 months ago Lelah Greenwood
  • 11 months ago Danielle Mathews Hemsley

The Speck

Knoxville Chapter's Award Winning Newsletter

Latest Edition: THE SPECK - OCTOBER 2026

View Now

Join CSI or Renew Now

Join CSI or Renew Now!


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