The Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) Colorado is pleased to celebrate the achievements of Colorado’s top architecture/engineering/construction (A/E/C) firms and industry professionals at the chapter’s annual Marketing Excellence Awards (MEAs) event, this year taking place on Thursday, May 18 at Social Capitol in Arvada. This milestone yearly event enables the chapter to honor and recognize excellence and achievements in marketing, business development and communications by professional A/E/C firms and individuals servicing clients throughout the State of Colorado.
This year’s Committee Chair for the event, Gwyndolyn Anderson, AIA LEEP AP BD/C of Studio Red Architects, expressed that while this event is special every year, this year is particularly exciting due to the enhanced participation and true feeling of getting back into full swing coming out of the pandemic. “We are so happy to be able to have this event every year as a way to honor our marketing and business development industry professionals. This year we have had record-setting participation with our submissions and the sheer number of firms who have contributed to the chapter, with the awards, and within our industry along the way. Our branding and venue give a nod to a fun and different theme for our event, having an art deco vibe within the sophisticated atmosphere of the Social Capital venue. We are very much looking forward to this enjoyable night!”
A key benefit of the MEAs results in the inspiration and industry benchmarking that the exhibiting firms provide within the marketing space. Additionally, the event is a great opportunity to connect with peers, gain industry insights and ideas, and stay connected within the vibrant A/E/C Colorado community. “Our industry is constantly changing and evolving, and this event is one way to stay engaged and up to date on our market and how firms are presenting themselves to clients and within the community,” said Anderson.
This year, the awards portion of the evening will be hosted by Barbara Jackson, a nationally recognized speaker known for her passion and energy while delivering industry-challenging topics. “Barbara has served as a guide and leader to Colorado’s marketing and business development AEC industry professionals,” Anderson explained. “We are enthusiastic about her participation in our event and the engagement factor that she will bring.”
This year’s awards drew a record-setting 60 entries over 21 categories including Advertising, Brand Awareness Campaign, Crisis Management and Communications, Direct-Mail Campaign, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Communications, Holiday Piece, Internal Communications, Newsletter/Publication, Project Pursuit Marketing, Promotional Campaign, Recruitment and Retention Communications, Social Media, Special Event, Trade Show Marketing, Video, Website, and, last but not least, just added this year, a Pro Bono category.
First-place entries for all categories are also considered for the Best of Show Award, in which the judges discuss and determine which submission best exemplifies A/E/C marketing excellence within Colorado for 2023. There is also a People’s Choice Award that is voted on by the attendees.
Additional awards include Marketer of the Year, Business Developer of the Year, Chapter Member of the Year, and Firm Leader of the Year, each of which encompass individuals who have been nominated by industry peers and evaluated based on individual contributions, successes, and merit exemplified within each’s respective roles.
The MEAs meticulous judges for this year’s awards include:
- Adam Kilbourne, FSMPS, CPSM – President at Tec Inc. Engineering & Design
- Barbara Shuck, FSMPS, CPSM – Owner of Everest Marketing Services
- Brenda Taylor, IOM – Programs Director of AIA Colorado
- JoAnn Moffett, SPHR, CPSM – Principal/Business Manager at Cunningham Engineering
- Julia Meade, CPSM – Director of Marketing and Business Development at Brinkley Sargent Wiginton Architects
- Melanie Meeks, CPSM – Partner at Meeks Marketing
- Karen O. Courtney, AIA, FSMPS, CPSM – a retired industry veteran and former national president of SMPS National
- Matt Connor, CPSM – Head Coach at Coach Connor Consulting
- Nancy Usrey, FSMPS, CPSM – Strategic Pursuit Director at HNTB
While registration is still currently open, this event has repeatedly sold out in past years. If you are planning on attending, don’t wait to register!
For more information, or to purchase tickets, CLICK HERE.