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.
Another standout was the Emerging Trends research session, presented by the SMPS Foundation, which packed the room wall-to-wall. The research shed light on the evolving challenges and opportunities ahead for AEC firms, sparking lively discussion about where our industry is headed.
Personally, I was honored to join Josh Miles and Deidre Booth on a panel to discuss the growing role of podcasting in AEC marketing. It was an interactive conversation about how firms can use storytelling and voice to build stronger connections with clients and audiences. Another highlight from our Colorado chapter was our own Dana Williams’ engaging session on thriving as a solo marketer, which resonated with many of us wearing multiple hats in our firms.
The sponsor showcase was another highlight—introducing innovative tools and platforms like Joist.AI, WorkOrb, and OpenAsset, all offering fresh ways to streamline marketing and business development.
What made the experience even more meaningful was the presence of so many of our Colorado SMPS members. Networking at a national level, surrounded by great marketers and business developers, left me feeling motivated and connected.
And I wasn’t the only one who walked away inspired. Our SMPS Colorado scholarship winner, Baylee Bloesser (Marketing Proposal Coordinator at HCL Engineering & Surveying), shared her reflections:
“My biggest takeaway was how valuable it is to be part of a larger community of marketers, gaining new perspectives, building connections, and walking away with both inspiration and practical tools I can immediately apply. The Small Marketing Team Symposium stood out to me as especially impactful—it was interactive and gave us a space to share real challenges like AI, data, proposal management, and CRMs. And Alex Sheen’s keynote reminded me of the importance of following through on the promises we make every day in our work, to our clients, and to each other.”
Baylee also emphasized the importance of networking, finally meeting colleagues she had only known virtually, and how those in-person conversations will shape her career moving forward. As she put it, “The value of this scholarship lies not only in the education from sessions, but also in the relationships you build and the sense of belonging to a community of peers who understand your challenges.”
For both of us, SMPS Amplify was more than just a conference—it was a reminder of why we come together as a society: to share, to learn, to grow, and to celebrate the incredible work being done by marketers and business developers across the country (and Canada).
