All education sessions at Amplify A|E|C are CEU-eligible and attendees may earn up to 12 CEUs for attending the conference education sessions.
Mainstage Presenters
These high-impact presentations feature visionary speakers, industry trailblazers, and thought leaders who challenge the status quo, share transformative insights, and ignite new ideas.
Expect engaging keynotes, dynamic panels, and inspiring stories designed to equip AEC marketers and business developers with strategies to elevate their firms, drive innovation, and navigate the future with confidence.
Because I said I would | Alex Sheen
Because I said I would
Alex Sheen
Alex Sheen believes that every individual has the strength to become a person of their word. In this session, Alex shares his insights and actionable ways to become better at fulfilling commitments. He inspires others to become more accountable to their promises through compelling and real-life examples from the because I said I would movement.
Alex Sheen is the Founder of because I said I would, a social movement and nonprofit dedicated to bettering humanity through promises made and kept. Sparked by the loss of his father, Alex and his organization send “promise cards” to anyone anywhere in the world at no cost. Alex is someone who truly honors commitment. He once walked over 240 miles across the entire state of Ohio in 10 days to fulfill a promise. In just two years, because I said I would has sent over 9.81 million promise cards to over 153 different countries. The promises written on these cards have made headlines around the world. His charitable projects and awareness campaigns have been featured on ABC World News with Diane Sawyer, CNN, The Today Show, NPR, The Los Angeles Times and many other programs.
Navigating the Unknown: Leadership Lessons from Van Life | Kat Kibben
Navigating the Unknown: Leadership Lessons from Van Life
Kat Kibben
In today's fast-paced, ever-evolving work environment, leadership isn't just about driving outcomes—it's about guiding people through uncertainty, change, and growth. In this presentation, based on lessons from their book "This Was All an Accident", Kat Kibben will show you how the freeing and challenging experience of van life offers profound insights into leadership at every level. From navigating unplanned detours to finding balance in chaos, this session delves into real-world, actionable leadership principles that go beyond "doing" and instead focus on "being"—being present, adaptable, and empathetic as a teammate and people leader. Whether you're in the early stages of your career or a seasoned executive, the insights shared will challenge you to think differently about leadership, resilience, and how you lead with authenticity and compassion. Plus, you'll laugh every step of the way. Join Kat on this journey into the unknown, where leadership is about more than just strategy—it's about human connection and leading with heart.
Kat Kibben is an award-winning writer and renowned keynote speaker known for helping hiring teams write inclusive, unbiased job postings that help them hire the right person faster. They are a featured HR and recruiting expert, working with globally-known organizations like Zoom, Instacart, Zillow and more.
Breakouts
Traditional oral presentations/lecture style.
The ROI Effect: How Data-Driven Marketing Changes the Game | Julie Huval, FSMPS, CPSM
The ROI Effect: How Data-Driven Marketing Changes the Game
Julie Huval, FSMPS, CPSM
In today’s competitive landscape, measuring marketing’s return on investment (ROI) is no longer optional—it’s essential. But what metrics truly matter, and how do you translate data into meaningful insights that drive business growth? In this session, we’ll dive into the core of marketing ROI, cutting through the noise to focus on what you really need to measure and why it’s critical to your business.
We’ll explore the most impactful data points, how to measure them effectively, and how to align your marketing efforts with overall business objectives. Whether you’re struggling with fragmented data or unsure how to quantify your marketing’s impact, this session will equip you with the tools and strategies to make data-driven decisions with confidence. Let’s change the game by unlocking the true potential of your marketing ROI.
Measure Twice, Market Once: Maximize Insights to Win More Work | Rohan Jawali | Tim Asimos
Measure Twice, Market Once: Maximize Insights to Win More Work
Rohan Jawali
Tim Asimos
In the AEC industry, data has become essential for refining marketing strategies, enabling smarter decisions, and enhancing the client experience from pursuit to project completion. Tim Asimos of Client Savvy and Rohan Jawali of Joist AI will showcase how leveraging data and client insights, from past-pursuit analysis to project-based feedback, can give firms a competitive edge, transforming how they identify opportunities, respond to RFPs, and nurture client relationships.
Attendees will learn how data-driven insights streamline the pursuit process, allowing firms to target the right opportunities, customize proposals, and deliver more personalized client interactions—regardless of your current use of technology. By embedding data into every phase, from initial outreach to project closeout, firms can position themselves as thought leaders while improving internal alignment and external client outcomes.
The session will also explore the role of AI and technology in delivering meaningful, tailored insights that address your firm’s specific needs. Tim and Rohan will discuss how these insights help firms go beyond basic metrics, enabling deeper understanding, faster decision-making, and more impactful client engagements. To illustrate these concepts, they will share a real-world case study, highlighting how an AEC firm transformed its approach to client experience and marketing through data-driven strategies.
Swipe Right: How to Be the Ultimate Pursuit Partner | Amy Cuddy, CPSM | Abby Harrington
Swipe Right: How to Be the Ultimate Pursuit Partner
Amy Cuddy, CPSM
Abby Harrington
Looking for "The One"? In the AEC industry, finding the perfect pursuit partner can feel like navigating the world of modern dating. Too often, we're thrown into blind dates and arranged marriages with teaming partners, hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.
In this dynamic session, two seasoned pursuit matchmakers (one design, one construction) will share their secrets to becoming the partner everyone wants to swipe right on. You'll discover:
- The art of managing partnership dynamics
- How to orchestrate large pursuit teams without the drama
- The hottest collaboration tools that'll make your pursuit relationship thrive
- Red flags to watch for and green flags to embrace
Don't let another pursuit end in heartbreak. Join us to learn how to become the partner that firms fight to team with!
BD Bites: 30 Snackable Strategies for BD Success | Samantha VanSchoick
BD Bites: 30 Snackable Strategies for BD Success
Samantha VanSchiock
Does business development "bite"? Not anymore! This high-energy session delivers 30 bite-sized, practical tips and tricks designed to elevate your BD game—whether you’re new to the field or a seasoned pro. From mastering your discovery questions and tracking campaign results to boosting your CRM adoption and crafting better elevator pitches, these strategies tackle real-world challenges with straightforward, actionable solutions. Led by an industry expert who has grown her organization's reach from two to eight states in three years, BD Bites offers insights into every stage of the process, including lead generation and qualification, relationship building and client development, event strategy and networking, team development and internal processes, and strategic growth and market expansion.
Come ready to learn, laugh, and leave with tools you can implement right away for instant impact. Attendees will be provided with multiple digital resources: a go/no-go rubric for events & conferences, a list of discovery questions that are helpful for business developers and for doer-sellers, and sample agendas for different styles of internal BD meetings.
Crush Your Proposal Goals | Dhoreena Ventura
Crush Your Proposal Goals
Dhoreena Ventura
In today’s A/E/C landscape, only 1 in 4 marketing teams (25%) say they can meet their proposal goals, while 64% submit proposals on the day of the deadline. This session will empower attendees to develop the skills and strategies needed to beat these odds and become an AEC success story. Backed by insights from the OpenAsset State of Proposals in A/E/C Marketing Report, you’ll learn how to streamline proposal processes, overcome inefficiencies, and leverage technologies like digital asset management to improve performance. Whether you’re new to the industry or a seasoned professional managing hundreds of proposals, this session provides actionable strategies to help you exceed your goals and drive business success.
Dhoreena will lead the audience through self-reflective exercises to dig deep into their own proposal processes and walk away with actionable strategies to overcome inefficiencies. This will be done with a group activity and allow for session attendees to work together on ways to better improve the proposal processes currently in place at their firms.
Embracing Rebellion: Engaging your Workforce Through Effective Communication | Matthew Danis, MBA, CPSM | Steve Anderson, PhD
Embracing Rebellion: Engaging your Workforce Through Effective Communication
Matthew Danis, MBA, CPSM
Numerous studies emphasize that engaged employees exhibit significantly higher productivity compared to their disengaged counterparts. Despite this, many leaders and managers struggle to foster employee engagement, often attributing the issue to the employees themselves. In this dynamic presentation, Steve Anderson, PhD, CEO of Integrated Leadership Systems, and Matthew Danis, MBA, CPSM, Vice President and Great Lakes Regional Manager of Shook Construction, will share their insights and experiences. Dr. Anderson will unveil strategies from his book Embracing Rebellion, which focuses on methods for cultivating workforce engagement and driving organizational advancement. With over two decades of experience advising organizations, he contends that instead of trying to overcome resistance, leaders should embrace and collaborate with it to achieve exceptional outcomes. Matthew Danis will illustrate how he and his team have successfully applied these principles in their organization, highlighting the significant impact on their workforce and overall success.
Collaboration + Connection: Encompassing Workplace Culture
Jeannine Alexander
Briana Carter, CPSM
Do you frequently collaborate with colleagues or project partners across time zones, regions, states, countries, and cultures? This panel features an interactive forum tackling the real-world applications of recognizing and respecting various cultures in the workplace. Attendees will discover ways to deepen employee engagement among distributed teams and empower colleagues to bring their full selves to work.
Members of the SMPS National DEI Committee who frequently collaborate across national and international offices will share perspective changing strategies that overcome differences in language, schedule, local governance, culture, and beyond. Attendees will return with the knowledge and passion to advocate for improved cultural considerations with their leadership to affect organizational policymaking that embodies the essence of “The Human Experience in Business.”
Learner outcomes/opportunities:
- Develop an understanding of how cultural differences can impact and influence a workplace
- Uncover technology and processes that can streamline and optimize team performance
- Discover and discuss ways to keep teammates engaged and collaborating
- Share ways to celebrate employees and recognize their individual contributions to the team
Influence is Power | Skot Waldron
Influence is Power
Skot Waldron
“Influence is Power” delves into the fundamental issues leaders face in today’s workplace. For new leaders, the challenge lies in establishing authority and gaining respect from team members who might be more experienced. This presentation provides techniques for building immediate credibility and leveraging the strengths of more seasoned team members. For those promoted from within, transitioning from peer to leader is fraught with difficulties, including managing relationships and setting boundaries without alienating former colleagues. The talk offers practical strategies for earning respect in these new roles and effectively navigating this delicate transition.
Another significant challenge is recognizing and correcting behaviors that undermine a leader’s influence. Often, leaders unintentionally diminish their impact through common pitfalls. “Influence is Power” identifies these pitfalls and provides corrective measures to build and sustain influence. By addressing these critical areas, the presentation equips leaders with the tools and knowledge to foster a positive work environment, drive engagement, and achieve organizational goals. The ultimate aim is to empower leaders to lead with confidence, clarity, and consistency, ensuring long-term success and a cohesive team dynamic.
Bridging the Gap: Transforming Technical Conversations into Client-Winning Collateral | Rebecca Swabey, P.Eng.
Bridging the Gap: Transforming Technical Conversations into Client-Winning Collateral
Rebecca Swabey, P.Eng.
Are you a marketing coordinator or business development leader looking to empower your engineering team with key business development skills? Join us for a hands-on presentation designed to help engineers bridge the gap between technical expertise and client relationship-building. In this session, you'll learn strategies, frameworks, and practical examples that will enable your engineers to deepen client connections and contribute directly to the firm’s long-term success.
Our topic addresses the daily challenges of AEC marketers by providing a practical framework—the “Three Cs” (Communicated Strategy, Continuous Conversation, Capturing Conversations)—to help bridge the gap between technical expertise and client engagement. Marketers will learn how to turn routine technical discussions into impactful client collateral, equipping engineers to strengthen client relationships and enhance business development efforts. This session combines high-level concepts with actionable strategies for creating client-centered proposals and positioning engineers as trusted advisors, offering tools and insights that go beyond basic online resources. By empowering marketers to foster a proactive, client-focused culture, this session ultimately helps them advance their careers while positioning their firms as competitive and forward-thinking partners in the market.
Practical Strategies for Unlocking Team Potential with Psychological Safety | Marne Maykowskyj, MSOD
Relationships & Influence/Business Development Practical Strategies for Unlocking Team Potential with Psychological Safety
Marne Maykowskyj, MSOD
The AEC industry has been built with the idea of work harder, longer; get it done faster; be louder mentality. Our people are exhausted, frustrated, and burned out. There is a better way to do business, one that removes fear and control and replaces it with authenticity and learning – fostering psychological safety. This approach produces better results. It increases innovation, improves performance, establishes connections, and nurtures engagement. Psychological safety is the magic ingredient that will transform your leadership style, change the way you see your team, and enable them to perform at their highest. In this highly interactive session, we will explore the power of fostering psychological safety—an essential leadership skill that is proven to drive innovation, engagement, and long-term success. When leaders prioritize psychological safety, they create environments where people feel safe to share ideas, take risks, and collaborate without fear of blame or failure. This shapes high-performing teams that are more innovative, creative, connected, and committed. This workshop is not theory—it is about practice. Walk away with actionable tools that you can implement immediately to transform your leadership style and foster a culture of psychological safety and transforming your teams, your organizations, and our industry.
Embracing Change to Achieve Your Goals | Jennifer Nix McGerald, CPSM
Embracing Change to Achieve Your Goals
Jennifer Nix McGerald, CPSM
In a constantly evolving world, understanding how to navigate change is crucial for both individuals and organizations. This presentation explores the Prosci ADKAR Model, a widely recognized framework for managing change, alongside David Bowie's iconic song "Changes," which captures the essence of transformation and adaptation.
We will begin by navigating through the ADKAR Model's five elements—awareness, desire, knowledge, ability, and reinforcement—highlighting how each stage facilitates successful change management. The model emphasizes the human side of change, making it relevant in today’s fast-paced environment and demonstrating how change management is more than a communications plan.
Redefining AEC Success: Insights from the State of AEC Marketing Report | Derek Ries
Redefining AEC Success: Insights from the State of AEC Marketing Report
Derek Ries
Today’s AEC landscape is prompting leaders at every level—CEOs, principals, directors of marketing, directors of business development, and innovation champions alike—to rethink their approach to marketing, proposals, and bids. Drawing on findings from OpenAsset’s State of AEC Marketing Report, which compiles survey data from over 900 AEC professionals, this session reveals how firms today use data-driven strategies to overcome resource constraints, enhance team efficiency, and ultimately win more business.
You’ll discover how forward-thinking companies are reducing manual proposal processes, integrating AI tools to streamline project collaboration, and adopting digital content management solutions that free up time for high-impact work. Whether you’re working to alleviate bottlenecks in team efficiency, aiming for higher operational gains, or exploring new technologies to support your staff, you’ll learn actionable methods to accelerate your firm’s success.
Join us for real-world examples of how integrating marketing, technology, and strategy can deliver tangible ROI. By focusing on fresh insights and proven tactics, you’ll walk away ready to transform your firm’s marketing and proposal outcomes—regardless of your role or area of expertise.
About Derek Ries
Derek Ries has spent over a decade driving strategic marketing initiatives with a focus on operations at B2B tech firms. As CMO at OpenAsset, he helps AEC organizations blend cutting-edge technology—such as AI and digital asset management—with robust marketing processes that support everyone from the C-suite to technical teams. With a passion for real-world solutions, Derek bridges the gap between leadership objectives and day-to-day project demands, enabling firms to optimize efficiency, ROI, and overall market impact.
Crisis Ready: Effective Crisis Management Strategies for the AEC Industry | Kelly Sternberg, FSMPS, CPSM | Eric Fish
Crisis Ready: Effective Crisis Management Strategies for the AEC Industry
Eric Fish
Kelly Sternberg, FSMPS, CPSM
Discover proven techniques and best practices for navigating crises, from jobsite safety issues to brand reputation challenges. Learn how to build effective crisis management tools for your firm, create clarity around crisis response, and learn how to lead with confidence during high-stakes crisis management scenarios with 'Crisis Ready: Effective Crisis Management Strategies for the AEC Industry.'
This session is designed to:
- Empower professionals with information so they can help firm leadership move through a wide-variety of crisis situations.
- Understanding and examples of the tools needed in order to feel prepared while facing a crisis.
- Proactive and reactive strategies for managing crisis.
Campfires
An informal take on the traditional lecture, these sessions start with a 15-20-minute presentation from a speaker then shift to facilitated roundtable discussions allowing attendees to ask and answer questions, listen to different perspectives, and share experiences.
Marketing for One: Cooking up Success as a Solo Marketer | Dana Williams
Marketing for One: Cooking up Success as a Solo Marketer
Dana Williams
Running a marketing department of one in the A/E/C industry can feel like managing a bustling kitchen alone—juggling multiple tasks while keeping everything from burning. This session is designed for solo marketers looking to thrive without sacrificing their sanity. We'll explore how to prioritize high-impact activities, use AI and automation as your sous-chef, and manage expectations from leadership. Learn practical techniques to avoid burnout, focus on what truly drives results, and create a marketing strategy that aligns with your firm’s goals—all while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Expect actionable tips, engaging insights, and a fresh, food-themed perspective to help you navigate the complexities of solo marketing with confidence.
Perfect for any marketer who wants to be both effective and efficient, this session is your recipe for sustainable success.
Small Marketing Team Symposium: You Are Not Alone! | Amy Cuddy, CPSM
Small Marketing Team Symposium: You Are Not Alone!
Amy Cuddy, CPSM
Small-team marketers unite! Join in an intimate discussion among small AEC marketing teams to share common experiences, challenges, and triumphs as you navigate the unique landscape of marketing, communications, and BD in our industry.
You as the attendees will help guide the conversation by taking an interactive live survey on discussion topics and we will chart our path together in roundtable discussion and large group dialogue. Find your people, the answer to your current issue, and the solution to your next problem as we come together as a large powerhouse team in a fun, dynamic room full of ideas and solutions.
Today, let’s create our nationwide network for small marketing teams!
Igniting the Vital Spark: Authentic Leadership Development | Marcia Alvarado, PE
Igniting the Vital Spark: Authentic Leadership Development
Marcia Alvarado, PE
Authentic vitality cultivates passion, self-awareness, and the ability to innovate from one's true self. As we develop the next generation of leaders, this mindset is crucial. Technical mastery alone is insufficient - we must nurture the human elements that drive long-term success.
By integrating authentic vitality into succession planning, we empower young professionals to explore their unique stories and tap into their innate drive. They learn to embrace their whole selves, build emotional intelligence, and relate authentically across diverse teams. An environment fostering such self-discovery allows emerging talent to fully actualize their potential.
The benefits reverberate through the entire organization. Employees stay engaged. Innovation thrives as professionals feel safe to bring their authentic brilliance. Top talent is attracted and retained by a culture prioritizing human development alongside hard skills.
By making authentic vitality a cornerstone of your succession strategy, SMPS can blaze a trail for a new era of excellence. One where human skills harmonize with technical mastery, and professionals live their unique potential to the fullest.
Empowered Teams, Inclusive Culture: How to Build a Workplace That Works | Kat Kibben
Empowered Teams, Inclusive Culture: How to build a workplace that works
Katrina "Kat" Kibben
Building an inclusive and positive workplace culture isn’t just about policies—it’s about daily interactions, leadership behavior at every level, and creating a sense of belonging for all employees. In this interactive roundtable discussion, we’ll talk about real-world challenges and strategies for fostering an environment where people feel valued, heard, and empowered to do their best work. This session is designed for people who want to make work a place where anyone can thrive.
Expect a solutions-driven discussion on how allyship, when grounded in fairness, access, inclusion, and representation, can become a powerful force for creating successful workplaces.
M-Lives
Traditional oral presentations/lecture style.
Putting the "O-H" in Your Video Podcast | Josh Miles | Emily Lawrence, CDMP | Deirdre Booth, FSMPS, CPSM
Putting the "O-H" in Your Video Podcast
Josh Miles
Emily Lawrence, CDMP
Dirdre Booth, FSMPS, CPSM
Think you've missed out on launching your firm's podcast? It turns out, podcasting is an incredible strategic marketing opportunity that keeps on growing—with nearly 550 Million listeners around the world. AND the medium continues to evolve.
Whether you're considering hosting a live show or video podcast for growing your firm's visibility, or an in-house audio podcast to develop your team, you're not too late! This panel will share the latest trends and tips they've had for launching and growing their own shows to expand their reach.
Session moderator, Josh Miles is a frequent podcast guest, and has been hosting his own shows for nearly a decade—Obsessed Show, PSM Show, The Josh and Torrey Show, the Bold Brand Podcast, and even interviewing Seth Godin!
This session will tell you everything you need to know to get your show ready—from strategy and planning, to gear and video options. Don't miss your chance to create a show that will make your audience say OH!
Josh Miles, Emily Lawrence, and Deirdre Booth (and we'd be open to adding one more guest) will be on the panel. We'd love to include Danielle Gray, but we understand conference logistics will be her primary focus!
The Power of the CMO: Driving Growth, Change, and Innovation | Julie Witecki, CPSM, APMP, LEED AP | Amanda Bohnert, CPSM | Stacy Robben, MHA, CPSM, FSMPS, LEED AP
The Importance of the CMO
Julie Witecki
Stacy Robben, MHA, CPSM, FSMPS, LEED AP
Amanda Bohnert, CPSM
The session will explore the critical role of the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) in the A/E/C industry, highlighting the challenges of decentralized marketing and business development efforts and underscoring the need for a unified strategic leadership role to drive revenue, relationships, and reputation. We will reflect on the SMPS Blueprints 3.0 framework for integrating marketing and business development, elevating these roles to professional disciplines and the CMO leadership position. We will dive into the trends driving the role's needs, which include account-based marketing and customer experience. We will discuss the career path to become a CMO with three case studies, emphasizing the importance of advanced education, extensive experience, and leadership skills.
The Road to Chief: Successfully Navigating the Twists + Turns | Marilynn Stratton, CPSM, Vanessa Yust, CPSM, Robin Broder Gibson, CPSM, Sheri Johnson | Panel moderator: Frank Lippert, FSMPS, CPSM
Marketing’s Role in Private Equity and M&A: Navigating Growth, Change, and Opportunity | Jamie Claire Kiser
Workshops
These 75-minute sessions provide attendees with an immersive learning experience that will leave them with a specific skill and a deeper understanding of the subject matter. These labs are designed around current challenges attendees are experiencing.
The Power of Client Care Programs for Sustainable Growth | Sarah Hoff | Rebecca Lavezzary
The Power of Client Care Programs for Sustainable Growth
Sarah Hoff
Rebecca Lavezzary
In the evolving landscape of the AEC industry, fostering lasting client relationships remains essential for sustainable growth. This session will explore the transformative role of strategic account and client care programs, illustrating how they can elevate your firm from a service provider to a trusted partner.
While modern tools like AI and CRM systems offer invaluable support in enhancing client engagement, the foundation of quality relationship building is timeless: understanding client needs, delivering exceptional service, and maintaining open communication. By integrating data-driven insights with these enduring principles, firms can proactively address client expectations and foster loyalty.
Join us to discover actionable strategies for implementing effective client care programs that drive long-term relationships and differentiate your firm in a competitive market. Leave with a roadmap to cultivate enduring connections, enhance client satisfaction, and achieve lasting business success.
Differentiating Your Differentiators: Igniting the Power of Persuasive Presentations | Jenifer Bertz | Diane Rutledge
Differentiating Your Differentiators: Igniting the Power of Persuasive Presantations
Jenifer Bertz
Diane Rutledge
In this high-energy, hands-on workshop, marketing professionals will elevate their skills in highlighting their firm's key differentiators through the trifecta of Compelling Storytelling, Visually Striking Presentations, and Powerful Delivery Techniques. Participants will master the art of instantly engaging their audience with narratives that forge emotional connections and propel decision-makers towards YES!
To truly distinguish your firm from the competition and sway key stakeholders, you need to do more than just answer the questions. This session will go deep into transforming standard proposal elements into a uniquely tailored, visually captivating presentation.
The Baker's Dozen: Leading Marketing/BD Teams Through 13 Key Challenges | Barbara Shuck, FSMPS, CPSM | Craig Park, FSMPS, Assoc AIA
Mastering the Art of Two-Way Mentorship
Barbara Shuck, FSMPS, CPSM
Craig Park, FSMPS, Assoc AIA
AEC marketing is not for the faint-hearted. It’s deadline-driven and demanding. Marketing and BD professionals often face unique challenges—ranging from burnout and uncertainty to collaboration with technical teams and navigating digital transformation. This session, led by industry experts Barbara Shuck and Craig Park, introduces a “Baker’s Dozen” of leadership best practices tailored to overcome 13 critical challenges in AEC marketing. Drawing on insights from The Architecture of Vision, participants will learn to lead with Inspiration, Innovation, and Integrity. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies for each challenge, empowering them to build resilient, motivated, high-performing teams that thrive amidst industry demands.
Brand Sprint & Go-to-Market Workshop | Tom Silva | Tony Kempa
Brand Sprint & Go-to-Market Workshop
Tony Kempa
Tom Silva
The AEC sector is expected to reach $10.5 trillion this year. Experts expect it to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.2% between now and 2026. Despite its extraordinary success, the industry has always struggled with branding and it go-to-market strategy because of two fundamental issues -- time and resources. There are 700,000 companies in the AEC space but 80% have less than 10 workers, meaning the industry is still dominated by small to medium sized businesses with few resources to spend on brand. Additionally, according to SMPS' 2024 report, 75%. of firms have Seller/Doers running their marketing and business development. Plus, marketing staff are engaged with bottom-of-funnel activities (RFPs, bids) vs. top-of-funnel initiatives (brand building, go-to-market strategies). This means, most firms simply cannot commit the time to build strategic operations for the marketing. What they need is the shortest path to a minimum viable brand. Over the last year, Silva Brand has developed a new framework called the Brand Positioning Sprint that is designed to help companies achieve a Minimum Viable Brand. This is a turnaround program that gives AEC companies the critical brand insights they need to confidently go-to-market to drive customer engagement, purchases, and retention.
Slaying Zombies: How Workplace Engagement Impacts Your Brand | Jerry Gennaria | Will Percy
Slaying Zombies: How Workplace Engagement Impacts Your Brand
Jerry Gennaria
For a staggeringly high number of companies, the workplace isn’t working. Rampant disengagement, toxic social dynamics, ‘quiet quitting,’ shrinking profitability … they’re not just signs of the times, they’re signs that workplace culture needs attention — a paradigm shift.
While nine out of ten business leaders acknowledge a significant connection between workplace engagement and company success, few organizations know where to start in building a culture that fosters engagement. For today’s marketer, charged with building and maintaining a brand, this presents a unique challenge – the direct connection between workplace engagement, team member behavior, and brand experience.
In this workshop, we want to explore one essential, radical idea: Everyone deserves to be happy at work—from the C-suite to the summer interns. And the simple truth is this: Happier employees are more productive AND more likely to deliver on your firm’s desired brand experience.
We believe it's time to slay outdated mindsets once and for all and revolutionize the way we think about employee and client experience. With a no-nonsense approach and a wealth of evidence to back it up, Dr. Will Percy and Jerry Gennaria take a deep dive into the links between employee engagement, coaching, and brand experience.
Sketchnoting for Team and Client Conversations
Cathy Hutchison, CPSM
For professionals in the AEC industry, the ability to communicate complex ideas quickly and clearly is essential, especially in team and client meetings. Sketchnoting, a form of visual note-taking, allows you to synthesize information on the fly and create easy-to-understand visuals that promote clarity, deeper engagement, and better collaboration. This workshop will introduce you to the fundamentals of sketchnoting and how to use it as a powerful tool to enhance both team discussions and client interactions.
Whether you're brainstorming solutions as a group or facilitating a meeting, sketchnoting is a way to capture conversations in a visual way in real-time that resonates with others—leading to improved comprehension and more productive conversations.
This hands-on session is designed for professionals across industries and experience levels who want to enhance their communication skills with clients and colleagues. No artistic experience is necessary; all you need is a willingness to try something new and the desire to communicate more effectively.
Breaking Through: Overcoming Competition and Thriving Together in the Workplace | Jennifer Sukalo
Breaking Through: Overcoming Competition and Thriving Together in the Workplace
Jennifer Sukalo
This session offers an engaging exploration into the dynamics of workplace competition. In it, we’ll identify the root causes of unhealthy rivalry and provide actionable strategies to cultivate a culture where we uplift, support, and challenge each other to continue to grow and develop. By addressing underlying fears, we can break free from unhealthy competition and create an environment where every individual can flourish. Designed to inspire change, this session serves as a guide for building more productive, fulfilling, and thriving workplace cultures in the A/E/C industry.
Before we can become exceptional leaders of others, we must first become extraordinary leaders of ourselves. A/E/C marketers will leave this session buzzing with energy and inspiration, ready to transform their workplaces into hubs of growth and success. Equipped with a keen understanding of self-leadership and practical strategies, they are passionate about cultivating a productive and rewarding workplace culture at their A/E/C firm. This enhanced atmosphere will not only boost talent retention but also drive the overall success of the organization.