In June, SMPS hosted its Regional Conferences Leadership Summit, our first in-person gathering of regional leaders since formally incorporating regional corporations in 2021. It was more than a meeting; it was a milestone.
Over two powerful days, more than a dozen leaders came together with SMPS HQ staff and Society leaders to listen, learn, and co-create the future of our regional conferences. We explored challenges, shared emerging practices, and aligned around a vision of consistency, impact, and excellence.
We were guided by thought leadership from SMPS Society President, Dr. Paula Raymond Stamp, MBA, FSMPS, CPSM, and past Society President, Chris Rickman, FSMPS, CPSM, who spoke about the why behind our work and the power of collaboration in shaping impactful experiences. SMPS HQ also shared the many resources available to regional leaders to support planning, programming, and volunteer engagement.
From brand cohesion and budgeting to speaker logistics and city selection, the summit offered a behind-the-scenes look at how we can elevate the member experience across all regions. Guest speaker Patty O’Dell of Marriott International also joined us to share insights on the future of meetings and events.
Did You Know? In 2026, SMPS will support seven regional conferences across the U.S.:
- Southern Regional Conference (SRC) – January 28–30, 2026
- Southeast Regional Conference (SERC) – March 17–19, 2026
- Pacific Regional Conference (PRC) – March 18–20, 2026
- Northeast Regional Conference (NERC) – March 30–April 1, 2026
- Missouri Valley Regional Conference (MVRC) – April 8–10, 2026
- Heartland Regional Conference (HRC) – September 30–October 2, 2026
- Southwest Regional Conference (SWRC) – September/October 2026
Stay in the know by visiting our website’s regional conference page.
This summit will now be an annual touchpoint to ensure all conferences and volunteers have the tools, support, and connections they need to thrive.
Because we’re OneSMPS, and we’re not SMPS without you.
