Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS): Connecting Communities Through Collaboration

By Katie Batill-Bigler CPSMMarketing Director, Patel, Greene and Associates, LLC

In an industry where success is predicated on winning the most prestigious projects, the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) stands out as a catalyst for collaboration and shared success. Florida’s SMPS chapters serve as proverbial “common ground” where engineering firms and their staff can come together— not as competitors, but as partners in the pursuit of best practices and collective achievement.

By fostering meaningful connections among marketing and business development (BD) professionals, SMPS empowers its members and leadership to grow professionally, cultivate valuable relationships, and drive forward groundbreaking infrastructure initiatives like neighborhood parks, statewide trail systems, broadband networks, and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program.

A Common Ground For Collective Success

One of SMPS’s core strengths is its ability to connect marketing and BD professionals across the industry. These connections are not just about expanding business opportunities; they are about building lasting relationships that drive professional development and career growth. Through its various programs and networking events, SMPS provides a platform for professionals to share insights, exchange best practices and support one another in achieving business goals. By coming together in a spirit of cooperation, members can leverage each other’s strengths to elevate their own practices.

SMPS hosts events across Florida serving consultants and clients alike in market sectors ranging from healthcare and transportation to education and water/wastewater. At the same time, workshops, seminars and panels, tailored specifically for marketing and BD staff, allow members to engage with peers, learn from industry leaders and develop essential skills. Producing dynamic proposals, providing valuable coaching for interviews and presentations, as well as managing teams, are all strengths that can be gained and leveraged by participating in SMPS programs.

The Reconnecting Communities Pilot Grant Program

The Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program (RCP) aims to address community connectivity challenges by “improving access to daily needs such as jobs, education, healthcare, food, nature and recreation, and foster equitable development and restoration, and provide technical assistance to further these goals.” Applications for the latest round of funding are due Sept. 30, and up to $607 million is available to fund projects through FY 2026. Last year, three Florida projects were awarded funding:

• A Jacksonville Transportation Authority Emerald Trail extension project, which aims to reconnect disadvantaged neighborhoods divided by Interstate 95 by building a 15mile bike and pedestrian trail with a linear park system.

• A Broward MPO project examining the feasibility of tunneling roads under the Florida East Coast Railroad, enhancing safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists while connecting a disadvantaged area to key amenities across the railroad.

• A comprehensive planning project by the Miccosukee Tribe seeks to develop a transportation network that enhances connectivity, safety and equity while addressing barriers, reducing environmental impacts and boosting economic growth.

Achieving the goals of programs like the RCP requires collaboration between engineers, planners, architects, contractors and government agencies. SMPS and its members facilitate these partnerships by bringing together diverse stakeholders, ensuring that the various expertise needed for complex projects are aligned and working towards a common objective—delivering innovative projects that meet clients’ goals and their communities’ needs.

Through its extensive network and deep industry knowledge, SMPS is uniquely positioned to help drive the success of the RCP and similar initiatives.

Bringing Focus To The Impact Of Engineering

Beyond BD and marketing professionals, much of SMPS’s membership is made up of communications specialists. These individuals are fundamental in capturing the technical effort and innovation behind every infrastructure project that encourages communities to come together as well as the ultimate successes of these projects.

It is critical that firms have dedicated talent to highlight the impact these projects have—providing safe spaces to gather with friends and family, enabling easier access to public transportation, connecting underprivileged children and elders with educational and healthcare resources via the Internet—so that the public takes notice, recognizes the benefits to our society, and supports future policy and funding for future enhancement projects.

Join The Movement For Collaborative Success

As the AEC industry evolves, the importance of collaboration and shared achievements grows more evident. SPMS offers a unique opportunity to be part of a vibrant community dedicated to connecting professionals, advancing industry initiatives and fostering collective achievement.

Whether you are a marketing professional, a BD specialist, or a firm seeking to enhance your business practices, SMPS provides the resources, network and support needed to thrive. By joining SMPS, you become part of a movement that values collaboration, innovation and community success.