SMPS Membership: A Network of Possibilities
By Jillian Grabenstein and Melissa Glickman
Are you looking for a network of marketing and business development experts? Are you interested in professional development and volunteer opportunities? The Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) is the answer! Become a member of the SMPS San Francisco Bay Area Chapter (SFBAC) and experience the variety of benefits our members have access to, including:
- Networking opportunities with clients, industry professionals, and your peers (locally and nationally)
- Continuing education programs, training, career enhancement, and recognition
- Access to a premier source of industry-related news and information
- Electronic communications including The Shortlist, our quarterly newsletter
- A subscription to Marketer magazine, the Society’s bi-monthly publication that offers timely marketing articles and the latest business development techniques
- Access to the SMPS membership directory and marketing resource center on MySMPS
- Discounted rates for all SMPS programs, social events, and the national and regional conferences
- Volunteer opportunities to serve on a committee with your peers and potential clients
- Sponsorship opportunities to expose and market your firm to the entire chapter
Member Exclusive Events
We have numerous social functions that contribute to expanding your network and personal
growth. Our chapter has adapted to the COVID-19 climate with our educational and social
events hosted virtually, which allows us to offer the majority of these events at no additional
cost to our members! Some of these events include:
- Motivational Mondays
- Quarterly Happy Hours
- Wellness Workshop
- Volunteer Appreciation Event
- CPSM Virtual Study Group
- Market Shares
You can stay up to date on free member events by regularly checking our calendar here.
Volunteer Benefits
Becoming a volunteer provides great opportunities to network with the entire SMPS membership on a personal and professional level. Volunteering also helps grow the chapter and contribute to its ongoing success. As a volunteer, you will learn new skills, engage in high-value networking, and receive recognition as a chapter leader by members throughout the organization. There are six committees available to volunteer with, including:
• Programs
• Communications
• Membership
• Sponsorship
• Outreach & Development
• Founder’s Awards
We regularly update our Volunteer Opportunities page, so make sure to keep checking to see what roles might be the right fit for you!
Here is some feedback we have received about membership in SMPS SFBAC:
“What I really enjoy most about the SMPS SF Chapter is you can carve your own path – and you have nearly 300 members encouraging you along the way. If you are interested in volunteering to lead a specific event or initiative, you have the full support of your fellow members and Chapter Board of Directors. There has never been a time during my membership where I was denied a volunteer or committee opportunity because I didn’t have prior experience – that’s not what SMPS is about. SMPS gives members the opportunity to try new things, knowledge share, and learn new skills along the way with zero judgement – all while helping transform their businesses through marketing leadership.
SMPS is your own professional and personal journey. It’s all about where you want to take it, you get back what you put into it. With the support of the Chapter, within four years I have grown from being a Chapter member to a committee volunteer, the 2019 Volunteer of the Year, a member of the Board as a Membership Committee Co-Director, and most recently, an Executive Board member as the Chapter’s 2020/21 Treasurer. I am extremely grateful for the leadership opportunities SMPS has given me and especially the relationships and friendships I have made. Wherever you want to take your SMPS journey, just remember, the possibilities are
endless.”
--Christina Benedict, Treasurer
“I initially joined the Membership Committee, thinking that it would be a good way to meet other SMPS members. Since then, I have been able to help with the planning and coordination of several Holiday Parties, the Wellness Event, and Annual Business Meeting. It’s great to see all the facets of the organization that the membership committee touches and knowing who to reach out to or what events are upcoming and being able to share that with my firm colleagues. Of the many benefits of being a committee member, I’ve been encouraged to be more active in the organization and have gotten to know my peers in the industry better.”
--Aislinn Rocamora, Membership Committee Volunteer
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us. Thank you for your interest in and support of the SMPS SFBAC!
