Anita L. Smith, who’s manager of advancement and recognition at SMPS, recently chatted with her HQ colleagues about several SMPS programs. During the conversation, Anita shared her thoughts (and enthusiasm!) about these honors and how they’re a great way to celebrate achievements and contributions of members and their firms.
What inspired SMPS to create the Emerging Leader, Business Developer, and Marketing Innovation Firm awards? SMPS was inspired to create these awards because we wanted to highlight the people and teams who are really moving the industry forward. These awards are all about recognizing fresh ideas and the hard work behind successful client relationships and elevating those who are redefining what marketing and business development can look like in the AEC world. It’s a way to celebrate professionals who think differently and help push our industry in new directions.
How do they help individuals and firms showcase their achievements? These awards give marketers, business developers, and firms a real platform to show off the great work they’re doing. Whether it’s someone growing into a strong leader, a business developer building exceptional client relationships, or a firm trying bold new marketing ideas, the awards help shine a spotlight on those accomplishments. They make it easier for others in the industry to see what you’re doing well and give you something meaningful to celebrate and share with your team and clients.
What professional opportunities might follow from being recognized? Being recognized can open a lot of doors and lead to new clients noticing your work, giving you more visibility within the industry. It can even spark collaborations you might not have expected. For individuals, it can help with career growth, like being considered for bigger roles, speaking opportunities, or even leadership positions. For firms, it can boost reputation, attract talent, and strengthen credibility when pursuing new projects. Overall, it puts you on the radar in a really positive way.
Why is it valuable to enter, even if you may not get honored with an award? Even if you don’t get honored, it’s a chance to reflect, celebrate your team’s efforts, and showcase your achievements. The process itself can be a really useful tool for you and your team. It encourages everyone to reflect on what they’ve accomplished, highlights the strengths and successes of different team members, and helps identify areas where you’re excelling. Even just working together to prepare an entry can boost collaboration, spark new ideas, and give everyone a shared sense of pride in the work you’re doing. It turns the application into more than just a submission; it becomes a way to celebrate and strengthen the team itself.
How can recognition inspire others to push creative and strategic boundaries? When people see their peers being celebrated, it creates a healthy pull towards excellence. And it shows that creativity and strong strategy are valued and rewarded. Recognition also builds confidence where people feel safe taking smart risks because they know their contributions won’t go unnoticed. Ultimately, it elevates the entire community by setting new benchmarks and inspiring others to stretch beyond what they thought they could do.
Why is it important to celebrate and showcase achievements through these awards or awards in general? It’s important to celebrate and showcase achievements because recognition reinforces the activities and standards we want to see more of. It also validates the hard work people often do behind the scenes. By showcasing achievements, we’re not just celebrating individuals and firms, we’re setting benchmarks that move the entire industry forward.
What kind of impact can recognition, in general, have on a firm’s business development or marketing efforts? It demonstrates to clients and prospects that the firm excels in building relationships, understanding market needs, and driving strategic growth. This kind of recognition helps the firm stand out and build trust, making it easier to attract opportunities, strengthen credibility, and differentiate the firm in the market.
Can you share examples of how winning or being recognized could open new opportunities for individuals or teams? Several SMPS members and Fellows have spoken publicly about how recognition in the Society helped elevate their careers and leadership roles. Vanessa Yust (FSMPS, CPSM), chief marketing officer at her firm, shared in a member spotlight how SMPS involvement and recognition shaped her career trajectory from early days in the industry to executive leadership. She said the community and recognition helped her feel welcomed, grow with purpose, and ultimately elevate her voice and role internally and across the industry.
If you have any questions about the SMPS awards and recognition programs, please reach out to Anita at anita@smps.org.
