On August 20, 2019, The Construction Channel featured an interview from Build Business, the SMPS annual conference, with SMPS CEO, Michael V. Geary, CAE, about the value and importance of marketers and business developers in building and sustaining business for A/E/C firms. The following is an excerpt:
Marketing is an integral profession that represents numerous industries, like the design-build space, and plays a key role in building and sustaining business for professional service firms. The Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) sees marketing as, “a process in determining your firm’s niche and capitalizing on your strengths to create awareness of your firm, inform how your clients feel and think about your firm, and distinguish your services from the competition.” With all of this in mind, The Construction Channel had the opportunity to meet with Michael Geary, CEO, of The Society for Marketing Professional Services, at their annual Build Business conference, held in Washington, DC this year from July 31–August 2. Founded 46 years ago at an AIA convention in St. Louis, SMPS is the only organization dedicated to creating business opportunities and providing quality marketing services specifically for architecture, engineering and construction companies.
This year saw more than 1,000 people in attendance. Attending Build Business for the first time as an outsider was a little intimidating because the caliber of sharp, smart, savvy professionals can seem overwhelming. But everyone I met was extremely cordial and kind to a first timer. I left the conference believing that it was possible to “transform business through marketing leadership.” After all, this is something SMPS is known for and advocates for as their vision statement.
The photo is courtesy of Kevin Roche Photography.
