2000 Striving for Excellence Awards

The Striving for Excellence Program embodies the mission of SMPS: to be the premier source for education and information for marketers of professional services in the built and natural environment. It recognizes excellence in chapter education programs and successful membership campaigns. The following award-winning chapter programs were recognized during the National Marketing Conference in Austin, TX.

First Prize: "The Business of Design Build-Your Next Step"
New York Chapter, Susan B. Kilgannon, President

The New York Chapter had three clearly stated goals for the program: 
1. to educate young A/E/C professionals in marketing, public relations, business development, and office administration
2. to form alliances with other industry organizations
3. to shrug the perception that marketing professionals in the A/E/C industry are just "overhead."

First Prize: "SMPS Regional Conference 2000-Spin Loyalty into Gold"
Twin Cities Chapter, Vicki K. Knutsen, President-Elect

In Summer 1999, a group of Past Presidents from the Twin Cities Chapter decided, with the chapter's approval, to host a regional conference to supplement and expand the educational and network opportunities of the local chapter and the National Marketing Conference. The program provided attendees with opportunities to explore regional marketing opportunities, network and develop regional team partners, access educational and skill-building programming, and take the CPSM examination locally.

In addition, the event allowed the Twin Cities Chapter to raise funds for the SMPS Foundation, establish a local education fund, and provide speaking and presentation opportunities for members working toward the Fellow designation.

Outstanding Certificate: "SPRING TRAINING: An Educational Workshop Series"
Florida Chapter, Joy Ashlock, President

The Florida Chapter's Spring Training Program was designed to support both chapter and National goals for education and professional development. The event provided chapter members a unique opportunity to improve their marketing and business development skills and created a comfortable atmosphere for beginning- and intermediate-level marketers to network with peers. By providing education covering the six domains of practice for marketing professional services, the program met National guidelines for chapter educational programming.

Outstanding Certificate: "A/E/C Marketing Fundamentals Program-Fall and Spring Sessions"
Washington, DC, Chapter, P. Martin Sharpless Jr., AIA, President

The Marketing Fundamentals Program for Marketing Coordinators was designed to promote professional and educational advancement of professional services marketers, provide junior-level marketers with basic marketing and technical skills, serve as a refresher on the basics for senior-level marketers and marketing managers, offer a marketing training program for the A/E/C community, and recruit highly qualified and well-known speakers whose credentials would lend credibility to the program and earn support from principals in our industry.

The judges for the 1999-2000 Striving for Excellence Awards were Dale A. Walker, CPSM, Bucher Willis & Ratliff Corp., Committee Chair; Karleen Belmont, FSMPS, KB Consultants; Kay C. Godwin, FSMPS, Marketing Avenues; and Sally Handley, Leslie E. Robertson Associates.