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.

Mentorship is one of those words that everyone agrees is important, yet its true impact is often underestimated until you experience it firsthand. In our industry, where relationships, strategy, confidence, and timing matter just as much as technical skill, mentorship can be the difference between feeling stuck and feeling empowered.

There’s nothing quite like spending an evening surrounded by stunning mountain views, AEC friends, and a tower of giraffes (yes, that’s really what a group of giraffes is called). This fall, SMPS Colorado headed to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo for a behind‑the‑scenes look at one of the most exciting construction projects in the Pikes Peak Region: a $40 million expansion of the giraffe exhibit.

Someone recently told me, “You either hate to lose or love to win.”

I sat with that for a while. Eventually, I decided—I love to win. Losing isn’t great, but when I searched for evidence, I thought of my bedroom wall display of medals from races I’ve finished, Finisher Medals. They hang from a piece of driftwood I found on a beach in Hawaii. With a little Pinterest inspiration, I added nails across the face, perfect for hanging medals, even the ones every finisher receives.

As SMPS Colorado continues to grow and connect A/E/C professionals across the state, our sponsors make everything we do possible— from educational programs and leadership workshops to networking events and chapter celebrations.

Each year, sponsorship helps us elevate the visibility of Colorado’s marketing and business development community while providing firms with valuable opportunities to connect, learn, and lead.

As the air turns crisp and the mountains glow golden, there’s no better time to hit the trails in Colorado. Whether you’re chasing those iconic yellow aspens close to Denver or heading deeper into the Rockies for more rugged terrain, we’ve gathered a list of some of the state’s best fall hikes complete with views that will make you stop in your tracks. Lace up your boots, pack your layers, and let’s go leaf-peeping!

1. Maroon Bells & Crater Lake Trail 

It's the “Going for Gold” themed title of Jaime Clark Miles’ 2026 SMPS Pacific Regional Conference presentation, a dynamic session intended to guide attendees through a strategic framework for transforming underutilized internal content—like project write-ups, case studies, and event recaps—into high-impact media campaigns that elevate firm visibility and industry leadership.

If you’re still waiting to “see how AI shakes out,” here’s your sign: it already shook. The tools aren’t inching forward by generations; they’re sprinting in short, brutal cycles while your to-do list proliferates and your goals compound. At SMPS AEC.AI Fall 2025 in Denver, Christopher Penn didn’t sell magic (though his magic trick prompt did draw some “oooohs” from the audience); he put us to work—real workflows, real decisions, less theory—sometimes confirming instincts, sometimes flipping the table, always pushing us to ship instead of admire the problem.

And he stuck the landing: AI isn’t your rival; it’s the most eager, overly helpful, occasionally forgetful intern you’ll ever manage. Brilliant once directed, chaotic when left to wander. Treat it like a teammate that can carry weight, not a mind reader, and you stop fearing the shadow and start managing the output.

Networking isn’t just about showing up to events or exchanging business cards. It is about making meaningful connections that last. While your skills and personality matter most, the materials you bring with you can reinforce your professional brand and help others remember you long after the conversation ends.

At the beginning of August, I had the opportunity to attend SMPS Amplify, our national conference, hosted in Columbus, Ohio. As my first time experiencing Amplify, I was struck by the energy, inspiration, and sense of community that filled every room. From powerful keynotes to practical breakout sessions, the conference delivered not just ideas, but tools and connections I will most certainly remember as I get back to the daily grind of work life.

One of the most memorable moments came from the MainStage keynote by Alex Sheen, founder of Because I Said I Would. Sparked by the loss of his father, Alex began sending Promise Cards around the world at no cost, inspiring millions to honor their commitments. His presentation was heartwarming, humorous, and deeply motivating all at once. Each of us walked away with our own Promise Card as a tangible reminder of the commitments we make to ourselves, our teams, and our communities.

With the recent news that Christopher Nolan is bringing us a big budget adaptation of The Odyssey next year, it’s high time to pick up a copy of Homer’s masterpiece, especially if your last read was a forced slog back in high school.

And while there’s plenty to recommend The Odyssey to the general reader, what is there to recommend it to the AEC marketer?

Winning the Room: Interview Coaching That Connects

Shortlist interviews are high‑stakes moments where your strategy, story, and team come down to one shot, and in this episode Damion Morris and Deirdre Booth unpack how to show up and deliver—focusing less on perfect decks and more on mindset, chemistry, culture, and preparation as leadership. Expect practical tactics for coaching and team building, building psychological safety for technical staff, avoiding slide dependence, nailing the make‑or‑break Q&A, and recovering when things go sideways—useful whether you’re leading pursuits or stepping into your first interview. Read more

As proposal professionals, we know that anything that saves time is worth its weight in gold. And as a proposal designer, I live in Adobe InDesign. It’s my favorite of Adobe’s software suite, and it’s packed with tools and tricks that can make the proposal designing process go much faster. Here are three that I find myself using on just about every proposal.

Grid of Frames

I was recently listening to a Brené Brown podcast featuring an interview with Abby Wambach. Abby is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, FIFA World Cup champion, and the highest all-time international goal scorer for any soccer player, regardless of gender. After retiring from professional sports, Abby discovered a new passion for public speaking, leadership development, and social advocacy. I was so inspired by the podcast that I had to purchase Abby’s book that they were discussing – Wolfpack.

In her book Wolfpack, Abby shares the leadership lessons she learned throughout her career and encourages readers to embrace their strengths by showing up as their most authentic selves. Although the book is geared towards women, the leadership traits she discusses are applicable to any reader. She challenges outdated cultural norms and redefines leadership in a way that is inclusive, empowering, and accessible to all.

A while back, I hit a wall. Not a dramatic, crash and burn type of burnout. It was quieter, more deceptive. I was still delivering, still showing up, still checking the boxes, but I had completely lost my spark. The creative energy, the strategic edge, the little “oomph” in my day, the part of me that loved this work.

So, I stepped back. I said “no” more often. I deleted apps and silenced notifications. I started doing less.

SMPS Colorado hosted its annual Marketing Excellence Awards on May 22^nd at the beautiful Balistreri Vineyards. This signature event celebrates the outstanding achievements of Colorado’s top AEC firms and marketing professionals across a range of categories. The evening was emceed by the ever-energizing Lisa White, who added a meaningful touch by encouraging attendees to seek out, create, and share joy every day.

Help us congratulate this year’s winners!

A few weeks ago, I took a trip down to Manitou Springs to do the Manitou Incline—a 2,744-step hike that covers less than a mile of horizontal distance, making it famously steep. The average grade is 45%, with some sections reaching as high as 68%. By the time you reach the top, you’ve climbed more than 2,000 feet in elevation.

I had never heard of this hike before I did it. When I got invited to go, I looked it up and thought it sounded “fun.” That may have been  an ignorant thought.

InDesign Templates for AEC Proposals

Customizable templates for RFPs, SOQs, resumes, etc. “Not a great writer? Can’t afford a pro? On a tight deadline? No problem. Just fire up your Proposal Kit, pick a layout, enter your company, client, and project details—and let the AI Writer do the heavy lifting. In minutes, you’ll have a first draft ready to edit.”

Tucked into the vibrant heart of Denver’s RiNo Arts District, Corsica Wine Bar  is a compelling new addition to the city's dining scene, and a true celebration of Mediterranean flavors—both on the plate and in the glass.

At Corsica, wine isn’t just a beverage—it’s a condiment, an essential pairing that enhances every bite. The 200+ bottle wine list, curated by award-winning duo Emily Nevin-Giannini and Gretchen Thomas (of Barcelona Wine Bar fame), is a treasure trove of European selections, with a focus on rare, farmer-crafted wines from Corsica and beyond. Impressively, three-quarters of the list is priced under $75, making exceptional wine remarkably approachable.

The 2025 Strike Gold Conference in Park City, Utah, felt like just that-striking gold with a pivotal professional experience. Approaching my sixth year in AEC marketing, the conference provided an overview of the broader industry landscape in 2025. I gained insights from professionals who deeply understand the unique challenges and opportunities in our industry. 

From the intricacies of data visualization, marketing strategy, neuromarketing, and streamlining Word to InDesign to the nuances of team and time management, the regional conference served as a powerful connector in the A/E/C industry. We were all there as AEC marketers, united in our roles, whether we were content strategists, pursuit managers, social media innovators, or technical communicators. Our firms, ranging in size, spanned the Mountain States & Southwest. Throughout the two days, we cultivated a powerful sense of shared perspective, sparking numerous ideas for new tools, and allowing an avenue for insights from people who truly understand what it means to be an AEC marketer. It was inspiring to learn from marketers who continue to push the envelope on creativity and resourcefulness.