SMPS Fort Worth Style All Their Own

The newest Chapter of SMPS, located in the Lone Star State of Texas in Fort Worth (seventeenth-largest city in the US and fifth largest City in Texas), is making members in the A/E/C industry stand up and take notice. Only ratified June 13th, the new Chapter has secured five Chapter Sponsors, a Media sponsor, several In-Kind and Association Partners and have created an extremely progressive website utilizing various forms of social media.

The Chapter is on fire with no signs of slowing down. SMPS Fort Worth includes an excited and accomplished Board of Professionals, formed with the help of the Chapter’s Nominating Committee including Pam Fry of Freese and Nichols and Vicki Huyge of Komatsu Architecture. President Rachel Vogel, Business Development Director for the Linbeck Group, brings with her the Vision and energy to lead the group through the creation of a highly successful and innovative Chapter. Ideas flowing and enthusiasm in abundance, the Board started paving the way for their unique brand of Fort Worth Style (their Chapter Tagline), eager to raise the bar and become a stand out organization. Their unique vision includes a commitment to Community Outreach both Philanthropic and Educational.

With the help of Communications Director, Rick Evans of JEA/ HydroTech Engineering & Surveying, they have developed their branding to stay within SMPS guidelines but also make their chapter unique. With the help of Secretary, Lindsey Kubes of Freese and Nichols, the Chapter is not only assisting the chapter with copywriting but documenting their historic rise.

Membership
With Membership a priority, SMPS Fort Worth has set out to Connect (their membership tagline) with potential members and immediately developed a Membership Recruitment Strategy based on “Ask Me About 50” – 50 being their goal for the number of members they plan to have by year end. Nolan Bradshaw of Komatsu Architecture has taken over as Membership Director and is working to recruit new members. As evidence of a successful start, the Chapter’s membership has grown by 40% in its first 90 days.

The Chapter made no haste in planning their first few membership events. The Fort Worth Style Monthly Networking Happy Hours kicked off in June with an attendance of over 50 people. The Fort Worth minor league baseball team, the Cats donated 30 of the 80 tickets sold to their First Site Tour and Baseball Game Event to help the Chapter raise funds for future events. Linbeck Group has also set up a tour for the Chapter of the newly built Fort Worth Museum of Science and History and the Chapter will be touring the brand new Dallas Cowboys Stadium in October.

As part of the Chapter’s Community Outreach, the Board has initiated an effort to create a host of student members and increase the awareness of the organization. The Adopt a Student Program, currently under development, will invlove sponsoring firms who will pay for the cost of a local University student’s membership and registration for six events throughout the year. This effort is being driven by the Chapater’s Special Committee on Community Outreach led by Susie Peden of Dunaway Associates.

Programs/Education/Philanthropy
The Chapter’s vision for Programs and Education to Learn, Lead, Grow, Achieve is led by Jennifer Yoder of Baird, Hampton and Brown – Programs, Education and Philanthropy Director and a 2009 Fort Worth Business Press 40 Under 40 recipient.  Her committee focuses on Marketing Domains of Practice; Audience; Philanthropy and Timely Content.

Webinars are offered every month based on addressing the Six Marketing Domains of Practice as defined by SMPS and a webinar library is being developed for the Chapter. Programs and Education events alternate and are developed to attract high level Principals and Business Development Professionals. The Chapter has selected four Fort Worth charities to donate portions of their program proceeds to each quarter to include: Ryan Family YMCA Step Up for Kids, Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Texas, Tarrant County Meals on Wheels and The Warm Place. They are also currently hosting a CPSM Study Group.

Kick Off Program
Nothing could be more timely than the Chapter’s first program held on July 28th: SMPS Fort Worth Stimulus Summit featuring the General Services Administration (GSA), North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) and the D/FW Minority Supplier Development Council.  One hundred fifteen (115) were in attendance hungry for information about the government’s intention to pour billions of dollars annually into infrastructure projects as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and how this will directly impact North Texas.

The event was moderated by the Fort Worth Business Press Group Publisher and covered by their reporter. Panelists included George Prochaska, Greater Southwest Regional Commissioner for Federal Acquisition Service GSA; Charlie Hart, P.E., Director, Property Development / Design and Construction for the Greater Southwest Region of the GSA; Christie Jestis, Program Manager for the NCTCOG; and Margo Posey, President of the D/FW MSDC. A coup for the Chapter, this was only the 2nd time the GSA was publicly authorized to speak in regards to the ARRA.

Program sponsors were treated to a special Private Breakfast with the speakers along with being able to submit questions for the panel. One sponsor also contributed gifts for all attendees, Panelists and Moderator, making this truly a first class event.

What was truly exciting and very well received by attendees, panelists and the Business Press was a very special segment of the program where the Chapter donated a check for $1,000 of it’s proceeds to the Ryan Family YMCA Step Up for Kids making them a Roundtable Sponsor. As a non-profit organization, the Step Up for Kids Annual Campaign is a vital component of the YMCA’s ability to serve those most in need of quality, affordable programs and financial assistance. Through numerous diverse programs, the YMCA is living its mission by putting Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

Future Programs
The Programs, Education and Philanthropy committee is also in the planning stages of their 2009 / 2010 events to include several Roundtable Programs including a Green Event, a State of the Economy Event, and a six week Training at night series which will cover each of the six marketing domains of practice. In addition they are planning an SMPS Member Forum to brainstorm with industry professionals to help determine 2010 events.

Fiscal Responsibility
Fiscal responsibility is a large concern in today’s economic times. Earl Klinger, SMPS National Vice President, Finance & Administration is using SMPS Fort Worth as a test case for a new Quickbooks program template he is developing.   Once complete, he will rollout SMPS Fort Worth as an example of the resulting product for all Chapters of SMPS. In the absence of a Treasurer, President Elect, Cindy Sears-Clemmons, CPSM of Jacobs Engineering is currently creating the Initial Chapter Budget. The Chapter has been able to not only establish a website, hold several events and donate to charity, but will also be debt free and have a reserve fund within its first quarter.

With a Board Retreat taking place September 25th and 26th including a representative from SMPS National and a Strengths Training Coach, keep an eye on this Chapter as it becomes one of SMPS’ Rising Stars.

SMPS Fort Worth Board:
Rachel Vogel, President – Linbeck Group
rvogel@linbeck.com
Cindy Sears-Clemmons, CPSM, President Elect – Jacobs Engineering Group
Cindy.Sears-Clemmons@jacobs.com
Lindsey Kubes, Secretary – Freese and Nichols, Inc.
ljk@freese.com
Tracy Ellen Smith, Treasurer – Creative Design Resources, Inc.
tracy@cdrtexas.com
Jennifer Yoder, Programs/Education/Philanthropy Director – Baird, Hampton & Brown
jyoder@bhbinc.com
Joan U’ilani Meeks, Sponsorship Director – Sustainable Products
joanmeeks@rocketmail.com
Nolan Bradshaw, Membership Director – Komatsu Architecture
NBradshaw@komatsu-inc.com
Rick Evans, Communications Director – JEA/Hydrotech Engineering & Surveying
revans@jea-hydro.com

SMPS Fort Worth. A Style All Our Own.

Welcome to SMPS Fort Worth! We are a community of marketing and business development professionals working in the architecture, engineering and construction (A/E/C) industry. As you know, Fort Worth has a style and attitude all its own, and our new chapter will reflect the Fort Worth way of doing business.

On this site, you can stay up-to-date on educational events, professional development, leadership opportunities, marketing resources and networking – all to boost your career and build strong relationships with others in your industry.

SMPS Fort Worth Networking / Happy Hour Launch Party HUGE Success

We want to thank all who attended the SMPS Fort Worth Networking / Happy Hour Launch Party at Blue Mesa Grill. It was a great success with over 50 people in attendence. Many new relationships were formed and we are getting closer to our goal of 50 members by the end of the year. We look forward to seeing even more of you at future events. Keep checking the website for updates!