Become a Speaker
Share Your Expertise
SMPS Maryland brings together A/E/C marketers, business developers, firm leaders, clients, consultants, and industry partners to learn from one another and strengthen our profession.
We are always looking for engaging speakers, panelists, moderators, facilitators, and subject matter experts who can bring fresh ideas, practical experience, and meaningful perspectives to our members.
Whether you have a proven strategy to share, a compelling case study, lessons learned from the field, an emerging trend worth exploring, or a client perspective our members need to hear, we want to hear from you.
We are especially interested in programs that leave attendees with practical ideas, useful tools, and insights they can put to work immediately.
Speaking Opportunities
There are many ways to share your expertise with SMPS Maryland throughout the year.
Virtual Education Sessions
Lead an engaging educational program from anywhere. Virtual sessions are ideal for focused topics, practical skill-building, case studies, emerging trends, and professional-development programs that can reach members across Maryland and beyond.
In-Person Workshops
Take the learning deeper through an interactive, hands-on experience. Workshops may include exercises, facilitated discussions, group activities, demonstrations, or other opportunities for participants to apply what they are learning.
Client-Led Panels & Programs
Some of our most valuable programs bring A/E/C professionals together with the people they serve. We welcome owners, developers, institutional leaders, procurement professionals, facilities representatives, and other clients who can share candid perspectives on relationships, selection processes, project delivery, market trends, and what makes an A/E/C team stand out.
We also welcome experienced moderators and industry professionals interested in helping organize thoughtful conversations among clients and other industry leaders.
GROW: SMPS Maryland's Annual Conference
Our annual GROW Conference is one of SMPS Maryland's premier professional-development events and an especially exciting opportunity to share your expertise with the A/E/C marketing and business development community.
GROW brings together professionals at multiple career levels for a day of learning, connection, and inspiration. We seek speakers who can deliver fresh thinking, actionable ideas, engaging presentations, and meaningful conversations around the issues shaping our profession and industry.
Potential GROW contributors may include keynote speakers, breakout-session presenters, workshop facilitators, panelists, moderators, and subject matter experts.
Have an idea that could challenge, inspire, or equip our members to GROW? We would love to hear it.
Lead a Session
Share practical strategies, skills, and takeaways.
Organize a Panel
Bring together voices and perspectives from across the industry.
Lead a Workshop
Provide hands-on learning and practical tools.
What We’re Looking For
We welcome program ideas that are timely, relevant, engaging, and useful to A/E/C marketing and business development professionals at all stages of their careers.
Topics may include:
- Marketing strategy and planning
- Business development and client relationships
- Proposal strategy, writing, and pursuit management
- Shortlist interviews and presentation coaching
- Storytelling, writing, editing, and content development
- Graphic design and visual communication
- Leadership and career development
- Communication, collaboration, and relationship-building
- Digital marketing, social media, and content strategy
- Artificial intelligence, technology, and emerging marketing tools
- Market research, trends, and industry intelligence
- Client expectations and owner perspectives
- Brand strategy and reputation management
- Strategic planning and firm growth
- Firm culture, employee engagement, and team development
- Recruiting, retention, and workforce trends
- Sales, negotiation, and relationship management
- Equity, inclusion, belonging, and workplace culture
- Professional resilience, organization, productivity, and career growth
- Case studies, project tours, and behind-the-scenes lessons learned
- Emerging issues affecting the architecture, engineering, and construction industry
Have another idea? We want to hear it. Some of our best programs begin with a topic or perspective we had not considered before.
Who Should Submit
You do not need to be a professional speaker to contribute. We welcome ideas and proposals from:
- SMPS members
- A/E/C marketing and business development professionals
- Firm principals and practice leaders
- Architects, engineers, contractors, and consultants
- Owners and clients
- Developers and institutional leaders
- Communications, branding, technology, and other subject matter experts
- Industry partners
- Educators and researchers
- Professionals with a meaningful case study, lesson learned, or perspective to share
If you have knowledge that can help our members become better marketers, stronger business developers, more effective leaders, or more informed A/E/C professionals, we encourage you to reach out.
Speaker Proposal Information
When submitting a speaker proposal, please be prepared to provide:
- Proposed program title
- Brief program description
- Suggested format
- Speaker name, title, firm, and contact information
- Learning objectives or key takeaways
- Target audience or experience level
- Any scheduling considerations
- Any anticipated speaker fees, travel needs, honorarium requests, or other expenses
You are also welcome to contact us with an initial idea before developing a complete proposal.
Ready to Share Your Expertise?
We would love to hear from you. Submit your speaker proposal, presentation idea, panel concept, or workshop topic to [email protected].
Please include as much of the information above as you have available. Our programming team can work with you to determine which SMPS Maryland program or format may be the best fit.
Help Shape Our Programs
What topics should SMPS Maryland be talking about next? We welcome ideas for future events, workshops, site tours, and panels. If there is a subject, skill, or market trend you would like to explore, we would love to hear from you!
