President’s Message: September 2024
The business relationships we make and nurture are the very foundation of who we are as marketers, business development professionals, and communicators. These relationships not only help us build business for our firms, but offer us personal support, encouragement, and care. The pandemic altered our world in so many ways, and the part of that world that continues to stay with us is our virtual world. This world has created, for many, a separation from the in-person world by offering a video screen barrier that, while helpful in giving us more time flexibility, has limited our in-person interactions and the building and tending of these foundational relationships.
Last term, our Membership Committee offered many networking in-person get togethers, but now it’s time to move into in-person Programs as well. Though we will still offer monthly free member MarketShares and fee-based virtual professional lunchtime learning sessions, we hope to find ways to also offer quarterly in-person Programs that will teach, inspire, connect, and refuel or restart those important business relationships that often can turn into life-long friendships.
I am fortunate to now serve as your 2024-25-year SMPS SFBAC Chapter President, following the great work done by your now Immediate Past President Justin Nagy, our Board of Directors, and over 50 volunteers. As we transition into the new term, we are committed to looking for ways to elevate the member experience and renew your industry relationships.
To that end, I have two main goals to accomplish, and with our strong Board, energetic volunteer base, and Chapter members looking to add more value to their membership, I’m confident that together we can make these goals a reality.
Goal 1. Opportunities to Learn and Connect – In Person
We already have some great in-person Programs on the 2024 calendar, with others being planned for 2025:
- Wednesday, September 25, we’ll have an informative (and fun) after-work Program on Networking Tips, Tricks and Traps. Members can bring a firm colleague for only $25!
- Thursday, November 7, in partnership the ACEC Bay Bridge Chapter, we will be presenting a breakfast panel discussion entitled: Beyond Buzzwords: Sustainability in Transportation
In addition, the Membership Committee will be continuing our in-person Regional Meetups in October throughout the Bay Area (stay tuned!), as well as organizing our Holiday Lunch on Friday, December 6 (Save the Date!).
Goal 2. Engaging our Senior Members
We want to get our highly experienced senior members more involved in leading and organizing some of our in-person Educational Programs, as well as getting more involved with leading other Chapter initiatives. If you’ve got a great idea to share and want to showcase your expertise to our members in a future in-person Program, I hope you’ll let us know by filling out our upcoming Call for Speakers application. Stay tuned for details about how to apply in next week’s newsletter. Your involvement overall can help you and your firm get more recognition and exposure in the A/E/C industry and our members.
Onward!
Hildegard Dodd
Business Development Director
Wilson Ihrig
[email protected]
President, SMPS San Francisco Bay Area Chapter
