Here Comes the Wave: PRC 2022 Recap!
Here Comes the Wave: PRC 2022 Recap!
By Mahalakshmi Balachandran
I’m a huge fan of the SMPS Pacific Regional Conference (PRC) ever since I first attended the 2018 conference in Napa, hosted by SMPS SFBAC. Two long years after the last PRC, the in-person conference kicked off on Wednesday afternoon, January 19th, 2022, adhering to COVID protocols. Here are some quick highlights from the eventful three days.
Echoing Brené Brown in the Opening Keynote, Donna Corlew, FSMPS, CPSM, and Frank Lippert, FSMPS, CPSM, shared their stories and how to build and treasure trusted “Marble Jar Friends.” Donna and Frank handed over packs of marbles for everyone to find a marble jar friend at the conference – someone with whom we allowed ourselves to be vulnerable and build a deeper connection and trust.
“It turns out that trust is in fact earned in the smallest of moments. It is earned not through heroic deeds, or even highly visible actions, but through paying attention, listening, and gestures of genuine care and connection.” – Brené Brown
Lt. Col (ret) Patricia Murray detailed her seven-step process to reach our potential as confident, respected, and authentic leaders.
“Connecting is the currency of business development.” – Patricia Murray
The topics at the breakout sessions extended from marketing, proposal writing, and business development, to leadership and management. I returned with a journal filled with refreshing words of inspiration to make me a better business developer. Below I mention a few of my takeaways -
- “Perform an analysis, research the geography, figure out where the prospective play, construct a marcom plan, identify future work to understand a new market to grow business.” – Deidre Booth-Gilmore
- Be intentional with business development practices. – Melanie Meeks, CPSM
- Presence Champions – Those who elevate the people around them.
Servant Heroes – A hero of the leader’s story, regardless of authority. – Dean Hyers
And how could I miss this: the “par-tee” and networking at Flatstick Pub on Thursday.
We bid adieu to 2022 PRC at the Friday Farewell Mixer with farm-to-table appetizers and signature cocktails. It takes a village to put together an event of this scale. I appreciate the efforts of all the volunteers and sponsors that joined together to make this a success.
If you haven’t already heard, the PRC is in sunny San Diego in 2023! Let’s catch the Wave soon.
Other SFBAC attendees provided their key takeaways from the experience:
Cathy Kohatsu
Proposal Manager, Swinerton
- Efficiency, effectiveness, and empathy are critical to getting the content you need from others. – Kate Robinette, CPSM
- Ask elevating questions to gain clarity, pay attention to group dynamics, and be mindful of tone. – Fawn Radmanich, FSMPS, CPSM
- Keep your readers in mind when preparing a submittal; what will keep them engaged? Avoid company speak = blah x 3. – Allison Tivnon
- Win theme = weave features and benefits throughout the submittal. Address what makes your firm stand out and avoid relying on your firm’s slogan. – Keelin Cox, CPSM, ENV SP
- Alignment between Marketing and HR is key to a firm’s success. – Heather Polivka
Ginger Kelly
Vice President, Marketing, RIM Architects
As I said to my team, it was so important to be in the right place at the right time. I ran into many connections during breaks and coffee refills. Those connections were so valuable as we got undivided attention.
From the sessions I was truly inspired by the “marbles.” We filled many jars throughout the days, such as when someone pulled their chair over and let someone fit in.
The volunteers were so invaluable. I was so impressed with how Sacramento had so much support!!
Jillian Grabenstein, CPSM, ENV SP
Senior Strategic Pursuits Coordinator, Harris & Associates
It was so nice to finally have a conference in person! Not only was it great to see everyone’s faces NOT on a computer screen, but the speakers and sessions provided a lot of needed motivation as we still navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. I’m especially going to practice being more vulnerable in my personal and professional life thanks to Wednesday’s opening session by Donna Corlew and Frank Lippert.
Matt Carvell
Marketing Manager, The Collective
Overall, I thought it was a fantastic event to meet new people, get acquainted with others whom I had only met on Zoom, and learn actionable insights for marketing. Most of all, it was an inspiring environment where I could feed off the positive energy of other Marketers/BDs. Having a positive employee experience leads to a better customer experience. If employees are happy with working at a company, it will translate to a better client service. Other things I learned:
- Hosting bid/project debriefs are gut-wrenching, but helpful for learning. I noted an actionable outline for running debriefs.
- Company differentiators should be unique. Lots of companies lead with “we are an award-winning, service-first organization…”.
- To meet deadlines, set “no meeting meetings” (ex. “X deliverable is due to Y person”) that serve as reminders for people to send things.
- Creating Go/No-Go decisions on projects can help a company allocate resources effectively and improve win rate. I noted various questions to ask to evaluate a go/no-go decision.
Most memorable quote: “What a group does with its billable time determines its income for the year. What it does with its non-billable time determines its future.”
If you missed the event or any of the sessions, SMPS Sacramento Chapter has organized the PRC Recap on February 22, 2022, to walk you virtually through the experience and topics covered. You can register here!
Mahalakshmi Balachandran is a Senior Associate at McCullough Landscape Architecture, a group of curious dreamers influencing space by a mindful practice that merges context and creative passion with grit, soul, and style. Maha has been a member of the SMPS since 2017. She currently volunteers with the Membership Committee and co-chairs the Buddy Program.
