When I decided to attend Amplify A|E|C in Las Vegas this year, one of my biggest goals was simple: I wanted to get to know my fellow SMPS Colorado members better.

Technical expertise and IQ matter. Obviously. We want our architects, engineers, and contractors to know exactly what they’re doing.

But there’s another kind of intelligence that becomes increasingly important as you move into leadership: the ability to understand yourself, manage your emotions, and navigate everyone else’s.

My SMPS journey began with the Washington, D.C. chapter, where I participated in the mentor program early in my career. The experience helped me grow professionally, find my voice, and gain the confidence to advocate for myself.

When I moved to Los Angeles, joining the local SMPS chapter gave me an immediate connection to the A/E/C community. I once again participated in the mentor program, where I met professionals who would later become my coworkers at my next employer. I also joined the SMPS Los Angeles Social Media Committee to gain insights into committee work. SMPS provided more than professional development; it created relationships that directly shaped the next chapter of my career.

Thursday, September 10. Larimer Square. Mark it down.

My cat, Yeti Monster, has never attended an SMPS conference. She has never written a proposal, developed a marketing plan, sat through a networking event, or given a presentation in front of a room full of people.

And yet, she taught me one of the most important lessons I've learned about being brave: sometimes, you have to decide that you aren't going to be helpless anymore.

When I graduated from Clemson University in December 2020, I spent the next six months serving food at a local restaurant and applying for every job with the word marketing in the title. A classmate wasn't interested in the position, but they passed my résumé along to a family friend instead. That's how I found my way into the AEC industry as a Marketing Coordinator at a small architecture firm in Gastonia, North Carolina. 

At the time, I assumed career growth would come from working hard, keeping my head down, and gaining experience over time. I didn't realize that one decision, to volunteer for an SMPS committee, would completely change the trajectory of my career. I certainly had no idea that five years later, I would be leading the marketing department at my dream firm here in Colorado. 

Have you ever paid for a gym membership and realized it felt like throwing cash into a woodchipper because you rarely used it? Participating in a professional organization as a passive member can feel the same way. The greatest value of membership comes not just from belonging, but from actively participating.

Active membership can help you build relationships, shape chapter programs, develop leadership experience that may not be available at your firm, and become part of a larger professional community. Passive membership may feel easier, but it limits what you and your firm can gain from the organization. When firms see employees actively involved, they have more reason to cover dues, support event attendance, and recognize the value of credentials that can further your career.

When most conversations about AI and marketing start, they usually jump straight to content creation: "Write this proposal section", "Draft this email", "Create this social post." And yes, AI can help with all of that.

But in AEC marketing and business development, one of its biggest advantages is its ability to cut through the noise so there is more room to think strategically.

The SMPS Southwest Regional Conference is coming to Denver September 16–18, 2026, and it is shaping up to be a valuable few days for A/E/C marketers, business developers, and firm leaders.

This year’s conference theme is Uncharted, which feels fitting. So much of our work right now involves navigating change, from AI and data to pursuit strategy, storytelling, leadership, and how we show the value of marketing inside our firms. SWRC offers time to step away from the day-to-day, hear how others are approaching similar challenges, and bring fresh ideas back to your team.

In a world driven by convenience: automation tools, proposal boilerplates, and ever-tightening deadlines, an essential element of neuromarketing is quietly slipping through the cracks—human connection.

The built environment may be shaped by data, systems, and structures, but it’s still run by people. And people, at their core, want to work with those they know, like, and trust. As marketers in professional services, our role goes beyond simply submitting a polished proposal. We are responsible for conveying, clearly and convincingly, that our team is the right fit. The most effective way to do that? Add one intentional step to your process: find the connection.

As we move into summer, things sometimes feel a little lighter in the marketing world (I say this now, but don’t blame me if you get slammed). Summer construction work is in progress, inboxes slow down (slightly), and many teams shift into a different rhythm. But before we fully settle into that seasonal pace, June offers something even more valuable: a natural pause point.

The halfway mark of the year is one of the best opportunities we have to step back, evaluate, and reset our marketing and business development efforts with intention.

Artificial intelligence is no longer a “someday” conversation for the architecture, engineering, and construction industry. It is already showing up in the tools, workflows, and conversations shaping how AEC professionals work.

As part of a graduate research project through the University of Oklahoma, my research group surveyed professionals across the AEC industry with the help and support of the SMPS Colorado Board and other amazing members of the local AEC community. The goal was to better understand how employees are using AI, what they need from leadership, and what communication strategies may help organizations adopt AI more effectively.

Since The MICHELIN Guide first arrived in Denver in 2023, over 30 restaurants around town have received some level of recognition across the Guide’s 5 tiers, whether it be a Star, a Green Star, a Bib Gourmand, or a Selected restaurant. If you’re looking for your next spot for a night out, a place to bring out-of-town guests, or a great meal for a client meeting, here’s three of my favorite Denver’s MICHELIN restaurants that fit the bill. 

 Mezcaleria Alma | One Star 

How to Create Memorable Networking Experiences

You attend a networking event, happy hour, or client gathering with a stack of business cards in hand, but weeks later those connections rarely turn into meaningful relationships. The issue is not effort. It is follow-through.

In 2026, the construction industry has shifted its focus to data centers and the infrastructure needed to support them. Meanwhile, sustainable building materials like mass timber continue to remain a hot topic. The question is: how do we handle the pressure to build sustainably while also constructing some of the most energy-intensive projects in history?

The Use of Mass Timber

The 2026 SMPS Colorado Marketing Excellence Awards (MEAs) celebrated the marketers and business developers shaping the future of the A/E/C industry—from large, collaborative teams to remarkable teams of one. More than a recognition of outstanding work, this year’s MEAs served as a powerful reminder of the influence, creativity, and leadership that marketing and business development professionals bring to their firms and to the industry as a whole.

On May 14, marketers, business developers, firm leaders, and industry partners from across Colorado gathered at Balistreri Vineyards for an evening dedicated to honoring excellence. Set against the warmth and character of the venue, the gala brought together professionals from every stage of their careers to recognize the creativity, strategy, passion, and people pushing the A/E/C industry forward.

What unfolded was more than an awards ceremony. It became an evening centered on stories, relationships, bold ideas, and innovators. A celebration not just of finished deliverables, but of the thoughtfulness, collaboration, and purpose behind the work.

Showcasing the Power of Strategic Marketing
From thoughtful campaigns and compelling brand storytelling to internal communications and community impact initiatives, this year’s submissions reflected the extraordinary depth of talent within Colorado’s A/E/C community. The projects recognized throughout the evening showcased more than creativity alone; they demonstrated measurable results, cross disciplinary collaboration, and a deep understanding of how intentional marketing drives business growth.

Across categories, entries illustrated how strong marketing elevates firms; helping organizations clarify who they are, strengthen internal culture, connect authentically with clients, and position themselves for long term success. Whether produced by large teams or by professionals wearing multiple hats, the work honored at the MEAs highlighted the evolving role of marketers and business developers as strategic leaders and trusted advisors within their firms.

Sprout’s Social Media Image Size Guide 

Always up-to-date guide to social media image sizes. In social media, visual content isn’t just king—it’s the whole kingdom, often shaping the first and most memorable impression of your brand. While creating compelling images and videos is essential, using the right tools to resize and optimize them for each platform ensures your content looks its best everywhere.

Ever wonder where your invoices are hiding after you register for an event? Please follow the following steps to see all of your profile information.

1. Navigate to www.smpscolorado.org
2. Navigate to Membership | Member Area (non-members too!)

Proposal work is a big part of what many of us do and often one of the most demanding. Tight deadlines, multiple collaborators, endless compliance checks…you know the drill.

That’s why we’re excited to share a new SMPS Colorado member benefit made possible through an in-kind sponsorship with Proposal Engine, a Colorado-based company focused on supporting A/E/C marketers.

Navigating a career in AEC marketing can often feel like being a small fish in an enormous pond of subject matter experts. Many AEC marketers find themselves working on lean teams of only a few people, or sometimes as the sole marketing professional at their firm. Meanwhile, colleagues in technical roles may have clearly defined promotion tracks and long-term career paths laid out in front of them. This contrast can make it difficult to understand where you fit, how to grow, and what the next rung on the ladder looks like for marketing professionals in the industry.

This is where SMPS becomes an invaluable support system, and the Marketers Take Flight podcast serves as a convenient, on-the-go companion for professional growth. Acting as both encouragement and guidance, the podcast offers listeners reassurance that they are not alone in navigating the challenges of AEC marketing. It provides insight into how others have faced similar uncertainties and successfully carved out fulfilling career paths.