Bullets are acceptable, sub-bullets rarely are. Below is a basic example of transforming four hierarchy levels as bullet points into a clearer layout.

Pictured: Isaiah Harrell

Nearly half a decade, a whole lot of learning, and a community I never knew I needed.

In 2022, I joined the SMPS Colorado Communications Committee as a fairly shy marketer still trying to find her place in the AEC industry.

My goals were pretty simple: learn more about the industry, meet some people, and hopefully get a little more comfortable walking into networking events where I barely knew anyone.

In the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry, the way we approach marketing must reflect a fundamental truth: our business is built on relationships, not transactions. We aren’t selling a product off a shelf—we’re earning trust, solving complex challenges, and delivering value over time. That means marketing in the AEC world isn’t about quick wins or flashy slogans. It’s about consistent, strategic storytelling that builds credibility, fosters connection, and leads to long-term client loyalty.

To maximize the impact of a marketing campaign in this unique environment, AEC marketers must approach each initiative with clarity, intention, and a deep understanding of both metrics and meaning. Here’s how to craft campaigns that resonate—measurably and memorably.

SMPS Colorado is seeing increased interest in sponsorship, and we’re excited about the opportunities ahead for 2027. Sponsorship is a great way to support the local marketing and business development community while building meaningful connections with the people and firms shaping the AEC industry.

Getting involved early gives you more time to make the most of your sponsorship. You can plan ahead, explore the opportunities that best fit your goals, and take part in SMPS programs and events throughout the year. Whether you’re looking to raise your firm’s brand awareness, connect with potential clients and partners, or support professional development within our AEC marketing and BD community, there are so many options to help you and your firm get involved.

I joined my firm over 11 years ago, new to the AEC industry and tasked with proposal and admin support. I knew nothing about marketing and selling professional services and spent my first few years learning as much as I could from the people I worked with. I learned about civil engineering and surveying, land development and entitlement processes, the typical life cycle of a project, contract language, and what our project managers thought made a good proposal.

Once I had exhausted my internal resources, I started to look outside of my firm for ways to improve my proposals and help tackle marketing tasks. It took me a while, but I eventually found SMPS and discovered a whole world of resources built specifically for the AEC industry. I started to attend virtual seminars, read articles, and quizzed other marketers to build a picture of best practices. Although I was learning a lot, I still felt something was missing. The information I picked up was focused on task execution which was helpful, but I wanted more.

November has a way of reminding us to slow down and appreciate the people, experiences, and opportunities that make our lives richer. As I reflect on my 10 years with SMPS, I realize just how much this organization has given me. What started as a transferred membership when I joined a previous company has turned into a journey that has shaped my career and the person and professional I am today.

I'll be honest: I hadn't even heard of SMPS before joining. Looking back, I wish I had discovered it much earlier in my career! Over the past decade, I've learned, grown, found my people, and discovered a passion for business development that I might not have found otherwise.

When I decided to attend Amplify A|E|C in Las Vegas this year, one of my biggest goals was simple: I wanted to get to know my fellow SMPS Colorado members better.

Technical expertise and IQ matter. Obviously. We want our architects, engineers, and contractors to know exactly what they’re doing.

But there’s another kind of intelligence that becomes increasingly important as you move into leadership: the ability to understand yourself, manage your emotions, and navigate everyone else’s.

My SMPS journey began with the Washington, D.C. chapter, where I participated in the mentor program early in my career. The experience helped me grow professionally, find my voice, and gain the confidence to advocate for myself.

When I moved to Los Angeles, joining the local SMPS chapter gave me an immediate connection to the A/E/C community. I once again participated in the mentor program, where I met professionals who would later become my coworkers at my next employer. I also joined the SMPS Los Angeles Social Media Committee to gain insights into committee work. SMPS provided more than professional development; it created relationships that directly shaped the next chapter of my career.

Thursday, September 10. Larimer Square. Mark it down.

My cat, Yeti Monster, has never attended an SMPS conference. She has never written a proposal, developed a marketing plan, sat through a networking event, or given a presentation in front of a room full of people.

And yet, she taught me one of the most important lessons I've learned about being brave: sometimes, you have to decide that you aren't going to be helpless anymore.

When I graduated from Clemson University in December 2020, I spent the next six months serving food at a local restaurant and applying for every job with the word marketing in the title. A classmate wasn't interested in the position, but they passed my résumé along to a family friend instead. That's how I found my way into the AEC industry as a Marketing Coordinator at a small architecture firm in Gastonia, North Carolina. 

At the time, I assumed career growth would come from working hard, keeping my head down, and gaining experience over time. I didn't realize that one decision, to volunteer for an SMPS committee, would completely change the trajectory of my career. I certainly had no idea that five years later, I would be leading the marketing department at my dream firm here in Colorado. 

Have you ever paid for a gym membership and realized it felt like throwing cash into a woodchipper because you rarely used it? Participating in a professional organization as a passive member can feel the same way. The greatest value of membership comes not just from belonging, but from actively participating.

Active membership can help you build relationships, shape chapter programs, develop leadership experience that may not be available at your firm, and become part of a larger professional community. Passive membership may feel easier, but it limits what you and your firm can gain from the organization. When firms see employees actively involved, they have more reason to cover dues, support event attendance, and recognize the value of credentials that can further your career.

When most conversations about AI and marketing start, they usually jump straight to content creation: "Write this proposal section", "Draft this email", "Create this social post." And yes, AI can help with all of that.

But in AEC marketing and business development, one of its biggest advantages is its ability to cut through the noise so there is more room to think strategically.

The SMPS Southwest Regional Conference is coming to Denver September 16–18, 2026, and it is shaping up to be a valuable few days for A/E/C marketers, business developers, and firm leaders.

This year’s conference theme is Uncharted, which feels fitting. So much of our work right now involves navigating change, from AI and data to pursuit strategy, storytelling, leadership, and how we show the value of marketing inside our firms. SWRC offers time to step away from the day-to-day, hear how others are approaching similar challenges, and bring fresh ideas back to your team.

In a world driven by convenience: automation tools, proposal boilerplates, and ever-tightening deadlines, an essential element of neuromarketing is quietly slipping through the cracks—human connection.

The built environment may be shaped by data, systems, and structures, but it’s still run by people. And people, at their core, want to work with those they know, like, and trust. As marketers in professional services, our role goes beyond simply submitting a polished proposal. We are responsible for conveying, clearly and convincingly, that our team is the right fit. The most effective way to do that? Add one intentional step to your process: find the connection.

As we move into summer, things sometimes feel a little lighter in the marketing world (I say this now, but don’t blame me if you get slammed). Summer construction work is in progress, inboxes slow down (slightly), and many teams shift into a different rhythm. But before we fully settle into that seasonal pace, June offers something even more valuable: a natural pause point.

The halfway mark of the year is one of the best opportunities we have to step back, evaluate, and reset our marketing and business development efforts with intention.

Artificial intelligence is no longer a “someday” conversation for the architecture, engineering, and construction industry. It is already showing up in the tools, workflows, and conversations shaping how AEC professionals work.

As part of a graduate research project through the University of Oklahoma, my research group surveyed professionals across the AEC industry with the help and support of the SMPS Colorado Board and other amazing members of the local AEC community. The goal was to better understand how employees are using AI, what they need from leadership, and what communication strategies may help organizations adopt AI more effectively.