The Power of SMPS

SMPS is a community of marketing and business development

professionals working to secure profitable business relationships

for their A/E/C companies.

Through networking, business intelligence, and research, SMPS

members gain a competitive advantage in positioning their firms

successfully in the marketplace.

SMPS offers members professional development, leadership

opportunities, and marketing resources to advance their careers.

What is SMPS?

SMPS is the ONLY

national organization

dedicated to building

business in the A/E/C

industry.

“When I find a new lead in the morning, I will know

enough about the project by the end of the day,

largely from information from SMPS members.”

—Peter Kienle, FSMPS, CPSM

Kienle Communications

Created in 1973 by a small

group of professional

services firm leaders

Recognized the need

to sharpen business

development skills,

pool resources, and

work together to create

business opportunities

Our History

Represents 6,000 marketing and business development

professionals from architectural, engineering, planning, interior

design, construction, and related specialty consulting firms

Benefits from the support of 3,250+ design and building firms

Encompasses 80% of the firms in the Engineering News–Record

Top 500 design and engineering firms plus the leading

400 contractors

SMPS Today

Premier professional services firms

recognize SMPS as their most trusted

resource for building business and

achieving success.

Vision

To advocate for, educate, and connect

leaders in the building industry.

Mission

SMPS enhances the ability of its members:

to advance their careers

to secure profitable work for their firms

to create positive client relationships

2013–14 Strategic Initiatives

Advancing the Profession

1. Content—increasing SMPS’s educational offerings

and packaging them for use by members and firms.

2. Research—providing information and thought

leadership to make SMPS’s members more

successful.

3. Outreach—bolstering SMPS’s alliances with peer

organizations such as AIA, ACEC, and AGC, as well

as reaching out to members’ firms to make sure

we’re meeting their needs.

4. Chapter services—finding ways to centralize tasks

and information to make our chapter leaders’ lives

easier.

Q. Why is membership in SMPS

valuable to an A/E/C professional?

A. Membership connects you to:

networking opportunities

leadership opportunities

professional development

access to the journal Marketer and

other targeted research and publications

the opportunity to earn professional

credentials via the Certified Professional

Services Marketer Program

Q. What does your membership

do for your company?

A. Involvement in SMPS creates

business opportunities for

design and building companies.

International and regional contacts facilitate teaming

opportunities, business referrals, and knowledge of A/E/C

business practices, trends, and successes.

Professional development opportunities for business

developers, marketers, and technical staff members include

training and leadership programs and venues for speaking and

writing on A/E/C topics.

Involvement in SMPS

Opportunities to develop contacts and relationships in

the greater A/E/C industry create a greater sense of

community and engage emerging leaders.

Programs and conferences to create connections among

participants lead directly to business opportunities with

clients and teaming partners.

Involvement in SMPS

Educate owners and

principals about the

importance of

marketing

Provide members who

want to self-advocate

with the tools and

knowledge to do so

Advocate

AIA

CWA

AGC

IIDA

ACEC

CMAA

AIC

DBIA

ULI

ASA

SAME

LMA

AAM

NAWIC

Strategic Alliances: Associations

McGraw-Hill Construction

Deltek

BNi

FMI

Strategic Alliances: Professional Groups

Domains of Practice for

Professional Services Marketers

In 1997, SMPS conducted an analysis of professional services marketing

to articulate and document the profession’s knowledge and skill sets.

The knowledge and skill sets are classified under six Domains of Practice:

Market Research

Marketing Planning

Client and Business Development

Proposals/SOQs

Promotional Activity

Information, Resource, and Organizational Management

Domains of Practice for

Professional Services Marketers

Use the Domains to audit your marketing program!

Available at www.smps.org/Certification

The Domains of Practice = The foundation of the Certified

Professional Services Marketer (CPSM) Program

Practice analysis conducted Summer 2013

Will update the profession’s knowledge and skill sets

Blueprints

Blueprints: Guides for Marketing and

Business Development Departments in

the A/E/C Industry

An advocacy and career planning tool

developed by a member task force,

this interactive PDF contains:

model marketing/BD departments

job descriptions

a self-assessment tool

interview questions for job candidates

Blueprints

Benefit for individuals: Is structured to

shepherd you through your career path

Benefit for firms: Can be used in planning

an effective marketing structure for your

business and in recruiting and retaining

employees

Accessible free of charge to members at

www.smps.org/Blueprints

Recognition Programs

Features include

Personalized dashboard of your information and groups when

you log in

Detailed member profiles

Marketing Resource Center: a library of samples, tools, articles,

information on professional services marketing and business

development

List serve discussions within groups

Calendar

Blogging tool

MySMPS: http://my.smps.org

Members-only benefit | Apps available

Weld Coxe Marketing Achievement Award

Recognizes an individual whose achieve-

ments and lasting contributions to the field

of professional services marketing are

exemplary.

Entry Deadline: May 2014

Fellows Program

Recognizes active CPSMs who have been

members for 10+ years and made substantial

contributions to the Society and the industry.

Entry Deadline: March 31, 2014

Recognition Programs

Chapter President of the Year

Recognizes outstanding leadership at the

chapter level.

Entry Deadline: May 2014

Striving for Excellence

Recognizes chapters for innovation

in management and superior

service to members.

Entry Deadline: May 2014

Award winners honored during

Build Business and

in the Marketer Awards Issue

Details at www.smps.org/awards

Recognition Programs

Marketing Communications Awards

2013 Best of Show Award:

Giving by Design

GGLO, Seattle

1st Place, Holiday Category

Recognize the individuals and teams who create outstanding,

results-oriented communication vehicles for A/E/C firms

The only awards competition that highlights the critical role and

immense value marketing professionals bring to the design and

building industry

200+ entries received in 20+ categories and evaluated by industry

practitioners, clients, and media and peer association leaders

Winners receive immediate national media attention, industrywide

recognition, and expanded networking opportunities

Discounted Early-Bird Entry Deadline: March 3, 2014

Details at www.smps.org/mca

Marketing Communications Awards

Identify and chronicle the knowledge,

skills, and abilities required for

success at all levels in professional

services marketing and business

development

Provide best-of-class educational

opportunities for all levels of SMPS

members and A/E/C employers

Educate

Certified Professional Services Marketers (CPSMs)

are recognized as having the experience and

knowledge to generate profitable business in the

architectural, engineering, and construction

marketplace.

Current Number of CPSMs: 800+

Certified Professional Services Marketer

Candidates for this program:

meet educational and experience requirements

pass a rigorous written examination

pledge to abide by the CPSM Code of Ethics

Certified Professional Services Marketer

Validates the individual’s mastery of and ability to apply critical

knowledge in an industry that values certification

Illustrates the individual’s professionalism and commitment

to excellence

Supports career advancement and life-long learning

Enhances the credibility of the profession and the industry

Contact SMPS Headquarters to request more information about

preparing for and scheduling an exam.

The Value of Certification

Educational Programs

Annual Conference

Build Business

Brings together leading experts, practitioners, marketers,

and business developers

30 powerful learning sessions

2 provocative keynote presentations

Plenty of networking opportunities to learn from peers and

make priceless business contacts

Details and registration at www.buildbusiness.org

Annual Conference

SMPS University

Leadership Advancement Program

In partnership with the University of Maryland’s

Smith School of Business

A four-day, graduate-level curriculum designed for A/E/C

marketers and business developers

Examine critical business management concepts:

research and development, client development, finance,

human resources, leadership, and marketing

Gain a clearer understanding of how marketing impacts

a company's performance and contribute in new ways to

your firm’s profitability

Earn 25 CEUs for SMPS’s CPSM Program or

25 LUs from AIA

Details and registration at ww.smps.org/smps_university

The Basics of Business Development

in the A/E/C Marketplace

After attending this program,

you will be able to:

generate leads that end in sales

for your firm

prepare for a networking event

and work a room

connect with different personality styles

use BD strategy to build profitable

business for your firm

Details and registration at www.smps.org/bdbasics

Topics include best practices, trends, special interests, and how-to’s

in professional services marketing and business development

Expert speakers with extensive industry knowledge

Offered monthly for 90 minutes

Affordable training option for firms and chapters: Registration fee is

per site; coworkers or peers can sit in at no additional cost

Programs are recorded and available for purchase

Details and registration at www.smps.org/webinars

Webinars

SMPS’s quality educational programs can be brought in house to train your

firm’s employees in your offices cost effectively and conveniently

Creates an environment in which your employees can learn, solve problems,

and strategize as a team

Taught by practicing industry professionals

Call the SMPS Education Team for information on available programs

Details at www.smps.org/inhouse

Corporate In-House Training

A not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization established by

the Society

Served by a volunteer Board of Trustees composed of

distinguished professionals

Promotes recognition of professional services marketing

as an essential element of the A/E/C business model

Provides research, information, and tools to help

marketers achieve effective results

Access research at www.smpsfoundation.org

Funded entirely by voluntary, tax-deductible contributions

from individual, corporate, and chapter donors

SMPS Foundation

Share with the A/E/C industry and other stakeholders

the value and successes that members achieve through

their interaction with the Society and each other

Identify all available ways SMPS could connect members

Create and enhance opportunities for members at all levels

to communicate and network

Connect

Annual Conference

Certification

Chapter President of the Year

Chapter Striving for Excellence

Fellows

Society Committees

Marketer Editorial Team

Marketing Achievement Award

Marketing Communications Awards

Past Presidents Advisory Council

Technology

Connect with peers from coast to coast.

Chapters

56 chapters connect

local marketers and

business developers

and their firms to the

regional network to

explore business

opportunities.

Chapters

SMPS supports local chapters by providing:

continent-wide connections to other chapter leaders through the

annual Chapter Presidents’ Leadership Symposium (PLS), MySMPS,

and leadership reunions at the annual conference

advice, information, and best practices via listserves on MySMPS,

quarterly conference calls, and the Striving for Excellence Awards

program

training for local leaders through the Chapter Presidents’ Leadership

Symposium and Chapter Leaders’ Forums

support to and guidance for planning regional conferences

Chapters

SMPS Headquarters supports

local chapters by providing:

opportunities to connect with

the SMPS Board of Directors

to tap into their leadership

experiences, insights, and

activities

a dedicated Headquarters Staff

who supports every chapter’s

development

SMPS Headquarters

Q. How can you get the most value

from your SMPS membership?

Get involved and engaged!

Attend chapter, regional, and Society events to build your network

Pursue professional development opportunities to expand your

knowledge and the value you bring to your team

Participate in the MySMPS

community online to explore ideas

and solutions to marketing/BD

and management challenges

Prepare and sit for the CPSM exam

to earn the certification and to

demonstrate your commitment to

ongoing professional development

Get Involved!

Write for association and industry publications to share your

expertise and gain exposure for your company

Volunteer for local and Society committees to hone your

leadership skills and strengthen the relationships in your

network

Mentor other members to give back to the profession

Follow SMPS on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, and

Pinterest to continue networking online with professionals

around the globe

Get Involved!

“Marketing today is much more of a team sport,

and today’s competitor could be tomorrow’s

venture partner.” —Carla Thompson, FSMPS

Mulvanny/G2 Architecture