This year’s SMPS conference served up a blend of leadership insights and collaborative energy.
At Dragonfly Editorial, we know that great content starts with great conversations, and this year’s SMPS Amplify A|E|C conference delivered plenty of them.
From Aug. 6-8 in Columbus, Ohio, our team joined hundreds of marketers, business developers, project managers, and creative minds from across the architecture, engineering, and construction industry to exchange ideas, learn from thought leaders, and explore what’s next for the profession.
A warm welcome and early wins
The energy at SMPS was high from the very first event. Dragonfly Business Development Associate, Malika Wyche, attended the newcomers’ orientation, saying it was an icebreaker more than a mere introduction.
Meme-making exercises had everyone collaborating and laughing together, setting the tone for a conference filled with genuine connections. Wyche says the group of newcomers even scored a group video “ussie” with Marci D. Thompson, CEO of SMPS, and that when she ran into the ever-energetic Damion Morris in the elevator, he was warm and enthusiastic, which was an energy that carried through the event.
Learning from leaders
One standout session came from leadership coach Skot Waldron, who walked attendees through his 4C’s Influence Model: Character, Chemistry, Competency, and Credibility. His framework gave attendees an actionable way to build trust within teams, leaving clients, colleagues, and collaborators alike with a clear idea of how to put those principles into practice.
The final keynote came from Jeni Britton, founder of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. Her take on “flavor” as a blend of experiences, creativity, and storytelling resonated deeply with attendees. In content creation, just like in ice cream-making, flavor matters — it’s what you gather, what you do with it, and the stories you tell.
Conversations that count and why we’ll be back
At the Dragonfly table, our “stet” stickers sparked more than just smiles. They became conversation starters about editing, writing, and the role of AI in proposal creation. We connected with small but mighty teams looking for training support, and even had one attendee hand us a proposal request right on the spot, which our team turned around that same day.
We left with new friends, fresh ideas, and a renewed appreciation for the enthusiasm and professionalism in the SMPS community. Amplify A|E|C isn’t just well-run; it’s a celebration of a community that truly enjoys the work they do. And that’s a flavor we can’t wait to savor again next year.
Were you at Amplify A|E|C? Connect with us to share your takeaways, or explore our Training page to catch one of our webinars.
