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Education Program

Explore the schedule

Take a closer look at the education schedule for Amplify A|E|C 2026 and start mapping your conference experience. From pre-conference learning through the full program lineup, this preview highlights what’s planned across each day.

Session timing and placements are subject to change
All dates and times below are in Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)

9:00 – 10:30 AM

Fellows Forum 

  • This session is only for SMPS Fellows
1.5 CEUs

10:00 – 11:30 AM

Work Smarter, Win More: AI-Powered BD & Marketing in Vantagepoint

Sponsored by:


1.5 CEUs

11:00 AM – 1:30 PM

Business Development Forum

  • This is a separately ticketed event
2.5 CEUs

11:00 AM – 1:30 PM

Emerging Trends Roundtable 

  • This is a separately ticketed event

Powered by:

2.5 CEUs

12:00 – 1:00 PM

First Timer’s Experience

  • Julie Kost, FSMPS, CPSM | Russell Pollard, MBA

12:00 – 1:30 PM

OpenAsset + InDesign Workshop with Special Guest Julie Shaffer

1.5 CEUs
  • Julie Shaffer, FSMPS, CPSM | CJ Teeter

Sponsored by:

2:00 – 3:15 PM

MAINSTAGE EXPERIENCE

Opening Keynote: For The Culture |

  • Dr. Marcus Collins
1.25 CEUs

3:15 – 4:00 PM

NETWORKING BREAK

4:00 – 5:00 PM

BREAKOUTS
1 CEU

Authority, Culture, and You: Navigating Power Distance at Work

  • Janki N. DePalma, FSMPS, CPSM, LEED AP

B2C to AEC: Consumer Brand Habits Every AEC Marketer Should Adopt

  • Tim Asimos, CPSM

Data Mirrors Culture: Behind Every Metric is a Human

  • Courtney Kearney, CPSM

How Solo Marketers Scale Impact Without Scaling Staff: The Solo Marketer Grand Prix

  • Carissa Newton, MBA, PCM

Reading the Market: Economic Trends Shaping A/E/C

  • Macrina Wilkins

Resilience in Uncertain Times: C-Suite Perspectives

  • Chad Heimbigner | Russ Sanford, FSMPS, CPSM | Benjamin Sawa, FSMPS, CPSM, PMP | Marilynn Stratton, CPSM | Scott Wallington

5:30 – 7:00 PM

AMPLIFY A|E|C WELCOME RECEPTION

Sponsored by:

7:00 PM

DINNER ON YOUR OWN

7:30 – 8:30 AM

BREAKFAST
  • Breakfast provided

8:45 – 10:00 AM

MAINSTAGE EXPERIENCE
  • SMPS Foundation & Recognition Celebration

10:15 – 11:30 AM

WORKSHOPS/MLIVES
1.25 CEUs

CX Mini Bootcamp: Building Client Experience Leadership in AEC

  • Ryan Suydam

From Prompts to Systems: Building AI Tools That Actually Work

  • Kayla McCause, FSMPS, CPSM

Navigating Change in Short-List Interviews

  • Margaret Winch

Prove It: Tools and Formulas to Justify Proposal Resources

  • Alexa Ramsey, CP APMP | Dhoreena Ventura

The Art of Staying Chosen: Relationships That Outlasts the Pursuit

  • Peter A. De La Mora, CPSM | Sarah C. McGillicuddy | Lynn Murphy | Carrie Mandelin | Samir Patel, PE

The Pivotal Project Playbook: Turning a Big Win into Long-Term Brand Impact

  • Laura Ewan, FSMPS, CPSM | Melinda Hepp | Joel Hoekstra | Molly Lauck

11:30 AM – 12:00 PM

NETWORKING BREAK

12:00 – 1:15 PM

SMPS AWARDS LUNCHEON
  • Lunch provided

Sponsored by:

1:30 – 2:30 PM

BREAKOUTS
1 CEU

From Coverage to Credibility: Earned Media That Elevates AEC Firms

  • Stacey Crawshaw | Jason Simms

From Talent to Rainmaker: Scaling Business Development

  • Tim Klabunde, FSMPS, CPSM

How to Craft a Winning Proposal When You’re the Underdog

  • Wendy Simmons

Inside Out: Turning Employees into Your Most Powerful Marketing Tool

  • Erin Henderson

SMPS Foundation Emerging Trends Breakout Session

  • Sarah Kinard | Scott Butcher, FSMPS, CPSM | Barbara Stiles, FSMPS, CPSM

Powered by:

Tech Download: What’s New, What Matters, What’s Next

  • Nikhil Almeida

2:30 – 3:00 PM

NETWORKING BREAK

3:00 – 4:00 PM

BREAKOUTS
1 CEU

Accelerating Firm Potential with Private Equity: The Marketer’s Role

  • Wayne McCutcheon

BD Breakdown: Building Strategy, Metrics, and Culture for Growth

  • Bonnie Shepherd

Decoding the Deal: What Today’s AEC Buyers Really Want

  • Karl Feldman

From Cost Center to Revenue Driver: Future-Proofing Proposals with AI

  • Frank Lazaro

From Crisis to Credibility: Navigating a Media Storm with Integrity

  • Katie Weber

From Marketing Function to Growth Leadership: A Pathway to Business Transformation

  • Russell Sanford, FSMPS, CPSM

4:15 – 5:15 PM

ROUNDTABLES
1 CEU

Fireside Chat: The Questions You Wish You Could Ask AEC Leaders

  • Erin Drake, CPSM | Craig S. Galati, FSMPS, CPSM | Wally Hise, FSMPS, CPSM | Sarah Nolan Hoff

From Chance to Choice: Building Authentic Networks that Drive Results

  • Shannon Stewart, CPSM | Kristin Studabaker, CPSM

The Culture Gap: Aligning Values, Behaviors & Teams During Change

  • John Belgeri | Jerry Gennaria

Culture Jackpot: Building Your Full House

  • Briana Carter, CPSM | Katherine Robinette, CPSM

Trendjacking the Moment: TSwift, the Louvre Heist & A/E/C Marketing

  • Deirdre M. Booth, FSMPS, CPSM | Emilie Austin

Unlocking Fast Starters, Last Minuters, and Everyone In Between

  • Skot Waldron

5:30 – 7:30 PM

DINNER ON YOUR OWN

7:30 – 10:00 PM

THEMED NETWORKING EXPERIENCE

7:30 – 8:30 AM

BREAKFAST
  • Breakfast provided

8:30 – 9:30 AM

MAINSTAGE EXPERIENCE
1 CEU

MAX Mainstage: The Long Game

  • Leah Boltz, FSMPS, CPSM | Craig Galati, FAIA, FSMPS, CPSM | Chris Martinez

9:30 – 10:00 AM

NETWORKING BREAK

10:00 – 11:15 AM

WORKSHOPS/MLIVES
1.25 CEUs

Level-Up Your Leadership: Building Your Business Acumen

  • Kevin Hebblethwaite, FSMPS | Adam B. Kilbourne, FSMPS, CPSM

From Resistance to Readiness: Building Culture that Thrives Through Change

  • GinaRenee Autrey | Edward Benes, PE, Esq | Abigail Harrington | Rohan Jawali

Get Found (and Cited) by AI: The Website + Content Workshop

  • Josh Hanosh

High Stakes, Smart Moves: Elevating Your Win Rate with AI

  • Kristin Kautz, FSMPS, CPSM | Troy Parkinson

Path to Chief: Leadership Journeys in Marketing and Business Development

  • Kristin Worley Beamer | Ben Bain, CPSM | Beth Ganoe, CPSM | Devon Kurcina, CPSM | Marissa Tasho

Beyond Check-The-Box: Leading Color Reviews that Make a Difference

  • Courtney Messick, CPSM | Stephanie Murdoch, CPSM

11:15 AM – 12:00 PM

NETWORKING BREAK

12:00 – 1:00 PM

BREAKOUTS
1 CEU

AI Isn’t Replacing You: But It Is Rewriting Your Job

  • Carissa Newton, MBA, PCM

Building a High-Velocity Growth Engine in AEC

  • Kathryn Auerbach

Did Video Kill the Photo Star?

  • Tyler Chartier | Josh Miles

From Participation to Performance: Structuring Technical Teams for BD Results

  • Anthony Roppa

Who are you? Lessons in Personal Branding

  • Frank Lippert, FSMPS, CPSM | Gabe Lett, FSMPS, CPSM, LPC | Ivy Cook, Hon. AIA LA | Krystle English, FSMPS, CPSM, PCM, CF CL APMP | Sally Clark, CPSM, CF APMP

What Gets Picked and What Doesn’t: Inside SMPS Program Selection

  • GinaRenee Autrey | Ida Cheinman | Keelin Cox, CPSM, ENV SP | Clare Kelly, MS, CPSM

1:15 – 2:30 PM

MAINSTAGE EXPERIENCE
1.25 CEUs

Closing Keynote: Make it Count: How to Prepare for the Moments that Change Everything

  • Jon Carmichael