President's Message - February 2024
Dear members,
I am happy to share that the Topaz Awards will be returning to San Francisco this year! On June 13, 2024, we’ll bring together members from across our region to celebrate excellence in A/E/C marketing and business development at the Commonwealth Club of California.
The 2024 Topaz Awards represent two significant “firsts” for our chapter. This will be the first year that we will collaborate with SMPS Sacramento to make this a true showcase of Northern California A/E/C marketing excellence. We know that many of you also have team members in the Sacramento area, and we’re excited to join together with our fellow chapter to feature examples of the SMPS vision - business transformed through marketing leadership - made real. In addition, we’re adding a new category to the People Awards for Business Developer of the Year to honor the individual achievement and contribution of a member to their firm’s business development, leadership, and sales success.
The 2024 Topaz Awards call for entries will open next week and submittals will be due by April 15. Don’t miss this opportunity to earn recognition for yourself, your colleagues, and your firm.
Now perhaps you’re thinking: how can I make my entry stand out and impress the judges? Good news! We’re hosting a virtual education program on March 6 where a panel of awards program veterans (including the 2023 Topaz Awards Marketer of the Year winner) will reveal their tips and tricks for maximizing your odds of success with awards competitions.
Speaking of major events, I hope you’re as excited as I am that SMPS is bringing the A/E/C.AI™ Summit to us out West: save the dates for May 22-23 in Los Angeles. This event will feature marquee speakers and a two-day format that allows attendees to dig deeper into the marketing business development opportunities presented by AI technologies, and their implications. Keep an eye on the SMPS website for updates.
Meanwhile, I look forward to connecting with local members at our North Bay Happy Hour on February 22. This completes the first of our three planned regional networking event series. The next round will kick off in April (dates to be announced soon) with a breakfast format as we continue to experiment with different ways to engage members that offer something for everyone.
Finally, I want to recognize and thank our chapter’s annual sponsors, whose support makes the programs, events, and experiences we offer you possible. We’re honored to have these firms as supporters of our professional community and mission. Sponsorship opportunities are still available, so if you’d like to see your firm demonstrate its commitment to sustainable business growth and lifelong learning, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Justin Nagy, CPSM
President, SMPS San Francisco Bay Area Chapter
Marketing Director at Stok
