2023 CLS Class Photo
CLS 2023
For more than 20 years, SMPS HQ has hosted an annual symposium for incoming chapter presidents. This premier program focuses on developing the leadership skills of chapter leaders and ensuring an awareness of the services and programs available to all SMPS chapters by SMPS HQ.
The 2023 Chapter Leader Symposium (CLS) was held for presidents-elect (PEs) in Washington, D.C., from April 26-28.
CLS 2023 Committee
CLS COMMITTEE CHAIR
Gabe Lett, FSMPS, CPSM
Senior Marketing Specialist
Allgeier Martin & Associates
CLS COMMITTEE CHAIR
Shannon Stewart, CPSM
Marketing & Business Development Manager
Design West Engineering
CLS COMMITTEE INCOMING CHAIR
Keelin Cox, CPSM, ENV SP
Owner
Adiuvo Marketing
CLS COMMITTEE INCOMING CHAIR
Valerie Puchades, CPSM
Marketing Specialist
CVG
SMPS President-Elect, Board Representative
Dana Lancour, FSMPS, CPSM
Vice President, Branding + Communications
Barton Malow Holdings
CLS Emcee
Stacy Stout, FSMPS, CPSM
Founding Principal
BRANDiac Strategies
Pre-CLS Cohorts
Cohort Leader: Fawn Radmanich, FSMPS, CPSM (SMPS Los Angeles), Marketing Strategist, PCL Construction
SMPS Arizona
SMPS Colorado
SMPS Oregon
SMPS San Francisco
SMPS Seattle
Cohort Leader: Laura Ewan, CPSM (SMPS Washington, DC), Director of Marketing + Communications, Senior Associate, Hickok Cole
SMPS Boston
SMPS Chicago
SMPS New York
SMPS North Texas
SMPS Washington, DC
Cohort Leader: Valerie Puchades, CPSM (SMPS Boston), Marketing Specialist, Charrette Venture Group
SMPS Atlanta
SMPS Austin
SMPS Central Florida
SMPS Houston
SMPS Research Triangle
Cohort Leader: Tim Klabunde, FSMPS, CPSM (SMPS Virginia), Principal, Director of Marketing, Timmons Group
SMPS Indiana
SMPS Maryland
SMPS Nashville
SMPS Philadelphia
SMPS St. Louis
Cohort Leader: Deirdre Gilmore, FSMPS, CPSM (SMPS Arizona), President + Lead Strategist, TankGirl Marketing
SMPS Columbus
SMPS Kansas City
SMPS San Antonio
SMPS Twin Cities
SMPS Virginia
Cohort Leader: Brandy Little, FSMPS, CPSM, ACC (SMPS Los Angeles), CEO, Brand DNA Advisors
SMPS New Mexico
SMPS Orange County
SMPS Sacramento
SMPS San Diego
SMPS Utah
Cohort Leader: Ree Miskimon, CPSM (SMPS Maryland), Director of Business Development & Marketing, Cube Root Corp
SMPS Central Pennsylvania
SMPS Charlotte
SMPS Connecticut
SMPS Pittsburgh
SMPS Upstate New York
Cohort Leader: Donna Corlew, FSMPS, CPSM (SMPS Nashville), Chief WIT Officer, C*Connect
SMPS Greater Cincinnati
SMPS Oklahoma
SMPS Southeast Louisiana
SMPS Southeast Michigan
SMPS Wisconsin
Cohort Leader: Keelin Cox, ENV SP, CPSM (SMPS Orange County), Owner, Adiuvo Marketing
SMPS Alaska
SMPS Hawaii
SMPS Inland Empire
SMPS Las Vegas
SMPS Los Angeles
SMPS Northeast Ohio
SMPS Ontario
SMPS Palmetto
SMPS South Florida
SMPS Tampa Bay
Cohort Leader: Gabe Lett, FSMPS, CPSM (SMPS Ozarks), Senior Marketing Specialist, Allgeier Martin & Associates
SMPS Emerald Coast (developing)
SMPS Kentucky
SMPS North Florida
SMPS Northern New England
SMPS West Michigan (developing)
Cohort Leader: Shannon Stewart, CPSM (SMPS Inland Empire), Marketing & Business Development Manager, Design West Engineering
SMPS Alabama
SMPS Idaho
SMPS Nebraska
SMPS Ozarks
SMPS Wichita
CLS Pre-Programming Events
This is a business. Let’s learn the essentials.
The Society has expectations of chapter presidents, and it’s important for all chapter officers to become familiar with various legal, governance, financial, tax, and insurance issues that pertain to chapter operations. In advance of the 2023 Chapter Leadership Symposium, we invited all chapter presidents-elect to participate in the following five programs designed to complement content to be presented at CLS 2023.
SMPS 2022-23 Volunteer Orientation (On-Demand)
Chapter volunteers have been integral to the Society’s success, and SMPS HQ is here to help all volunteers thrive and succeed in their roles.
This program, conducted in September 2022 for all volunteers, provides an exclusive informational orientation. Access this content to gain an understanding of SMPS, what’s expected from you as a chapter volunteer, and receive an overview of the many tools and resources provided by SMPS HQ and leveraged by our 1,000+ chapter volunteers.
This is a business. Let’s learn the essentials.
All About SMPS Chapter Governance | January 26, 2023 (On-Demand)
All chapter officers and directors must be familiar and aware of all chapter essential corporate documents so that they become familiar with the rules by which the chapter is required to operate. Additionally, officers and directors are legally expected to adhere to certain standards of conduct with respect to the operation of the chapter.
Join SMPS Deputy CEO Tina Myers, CAE for an introduction/review and Q&A of the following important matters:
- articles of incorporation
- bylaws
- affiliation agreement
- duties and conduct of board of directors
- and more!
This is a business. Let’s learn the essentials. Program will be recorded and made available on-demand.
Chapter Leader Meetup: All About SMPS Chapter Finance | February 21, 2023, 3 p.m. ET
All chapter officers and directors must be familiar with and aware of chapter financial management practices and the administrative functions of running an SMPS chapter.
Join SMPS Chief Financial Officer & DEI Advocate Antonio Payne, CAE for an introduction/review and Q&A of the following important matters:
- taxes and deadlines
- budget considerations
- Billhighway smart practices
- and more!
This is a business. Let’s learn the essentials. All chapter presidents, presidents-elect, treasurers, and finance committee members are encouraged to attend this program. Program will be recorded and made available on-demand.
Lead Your Chapter Like a Business | March 28, 2023, 3 p.m. ET
Running a chapter is like running a business. Join your CLS peers on March 28, 2023, at 3 p.m. ET for a panel discussion to hear from experienced SMPS chapter leaders. They’ll share how they leveraged smart and innovative business practices to successfully manage their chapter.
Making the Most of CLS 2023 | April 18, 2023, 3 p.m. ET
We’ll provide an overview of what to expect and how to make the most of your in-person CLS experience.
We’ll cover:
- Which events are happening at CLS (including the reception, meals, sessions, etc.)
- How to maximize your experience (with advice from past attendees)
- An open Q&A to answer your questions now, as well as questions/common discussions from previous cohort meetings
- How to take information you’ll learn at CLS back to you chapter team
“Attending CLS 2022 was one of the best experiences in my professional career to date. Representing a newer chapter, I wanted to absorb as much as possible to be a resource when I returned home for the rest of our board and membership. In a short time frame, I learned many valuable resources from experts in their fields and met amazing future chapter leaders from across the country to make an immediate network of fellow presidents-elect! My chapter and my firm will benefit for years to come because of my opportunity to attend CLS as a result of the diverse information shared. I can’t thank the SMPS HQ team and volunteers enough for providing this experience and hope all incoming presidents can have the same experience as I did!” –Duncan Robertson, SMPS Idaho president-elect, Business Development & Marketing Manager, Tamarack Grove
“I left Chapter Leadership Symposium (CLS) energized and confident that the SMPS Board of Directors, SMPS Headquarters Staff, past presidents, and other volunteers are committed to and rooting for my Chapter’s success. I met other presidents-elect and heard from several experts that I can now call on for support and guidance. I am excited to begin my board year and only wish I could attend CLS every year!” — Erika Booker, SMPS Central Florida president-elect, Marketing and Communications Director, Barge Design Solutions, Inc.
Questions? Contact Natalie Gozzard, M.Ed., SMPS HQ Vice President, Component Relations at natalie@smps.org
Stay tuned for more information about CLS 2024
SMPS Thanks Our Chapter Leader Program Sponsors
