SMPS Wichita

SMPS Wichita Night at the Ballpark
2023-08-17 18:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | Riverfront Stadium, 275 South McLean Boulevard, Wichita, KS 67213, Wichita, KS, 67213, US
Join SMPS Wichita on August17 for a Wichita WindSurge baseball game at Riverfront Stadium!

Join us Thursday, August 17th on the Dillons Picnic Patio for A Night at the Ballpark! Tickets to our fun event are just $25 for 2 Tickets!!!
Event tickets include: Ballpark entry, complimentary buffet of ballpark favorites, complimentary soft drinks, and private bar service to enjoy “Thirsty Thursday” featuring a selection of beers and seltzers for only $2 each.
Buy your tickets quickly, we are looking forward to having a great group for this fun event and ticket sales will only be open until Friday, August 11th!
We can’t wait to Take You Out To The Ballgame, To Root-Root-Root For The Wind Surge!!!

Hopping Gnome Brewing Tour
2023-10-11 16:30 - 18:30 | 1719 E Victor St, 1719 East Victor Street, Wichita, KS 67214, Wichita, KS, 67214, US
Come enjoy snacks, beers, and a tour of the expanded Hopping Gnome Brewing Company!

Join us for an exclusive tour of Hopping Gnome Brewing Company! 🍻 We’ll start by exploring their old location and discovering its exciting new purpose. Then, we’ll “hop” over to their brand-new spot and learn what changes it’s brought to their business.
During the tour, we’ll delve into the nitty-gritty of their construction journey, sharing insights into the challenges they conquered and the opportunities they seized.
Afterward, let’s raise our glasses to their remarkable success and enjoy a networking happy hour. The first two drinks are on us – then check out their Wednesday special: $4 pours on all full-sized pints! Snacks will be provided.
The Story of the Gnome:
Torrey Lattin started home brewing over 10 years ago, and after a couple of years decided to work on a business plan in order to help grow the number of breweries in Wichita. At the time, there were only two brewery/restaurants in the area, and after traveling to Colorado and visiting the small and unique taprooms there, Torrey and his wife Stacy decided this concept would be something fresh and new in Wichita, KS.
They decided on a small taproom with a 5 BBL brewing system and distribution plan rather than a restaurant in order to create a beer-focused atmosphere, where friends can get together and play games, order in a pizza, and hang out like it’s your friend’s house (except you have to pay for the beer…we’re trying to run a business here).
The couple had several names in mind, but most were already taken or too similar to other established breweries across the US. One night, Torrey was having a beer at home, and noticed a give-away from the 2012 Kansas City Royals All Star game that was a little gnome. He ran upstairs and said “how about Hopping Gnome? You know like hops, and gnomes are known for drinking.”
The name stuck and after finding a local graphic designer to create the awesome logo, Hopping Gnome Brewing Company was born.
Located in the up-and-coming Douglas Design District, Hopping Gnome Brewing Company joined the growing craft beer community as the first taproom in Wichita, KS.
Source: https://www.hoppinggnome.com

Engineering the Client Experience
2023-11-08 11:30 - 13:00 | GLMV Architecture, 1525 E. Douglas, Wichita, KS 67211, Wichita, KS, 67211
The year may be 2023, but SMPS’ Marketing 2022 survey results showing that client experience will be the single most important marketing and business development approach by 2022 still rings true. And while only 18% of survey respondent firms had a client experience program in place in January 2020, the percentage likely hasn’t much improved since.

Going against this trend, the leadership team at Henderson Engineers embarked on a journey in 2020 to develop a firmwide CX program that is changing the business from the inside out. Moving from having a “client focus” to truly becoming “client-centric,” Barry will share how he’s helping the firm become obsessed with delivering the best client experience. You’ll hear the path Henderson took to bring the program to life — including client feedback, employee insights, and data gathered at every step of the way — and you’ll walk away with key insights on how to develop your own CX program. Don’t miss the reasons why CX should be your top business priority.

About the Speaker:
After nearly 12 years on the architecture and construction sides of the AEC industry with HOK and McCarthy Building Companies, Barry Sutherland joined Henderson Engineers, a 1,000-person, national building systems design firm based in Kansas City, as the director of client relationships in October 2019. In this position, Sutherland used his extensive marketing and business development experience to strengthen relationships with clients across all practices firmwide and in markets from coast to coast. Now as client experience director, he is responsible for developing and implementing a robust Client Experience program aimed at making Henderson the industry-leader in this area.

Sutherland has been a member of SMPS since he joined the industry in 2008 and has served in leadership roles for the St. Louis and Kansas City chapters, including president for St. Louis. He currently serves on the board of the Olathe (KS) Chamber of Commerce, where he resides with his wife, Christa, and two kids (Evan, 13, and Molly, 13). Sutherland has also served on boards for the Kansas City chapter of the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) and Kansas City Area Healthcare Engineers (KCAHE), as well as the Olathe Planning Commission and Olathe Board of Zoning Appeals.

SMPS Holiday Party
2023-12-14 17:30 - 20:30 | Douglas Social, 2518 E Douglas, Wichita, United States
Hey everyone, it’s time to get groovy! Join us for the SMPS Wichita 70’s theme holiday party! Dust off your bell-bottoms and throw on those platform shoes, we’re going to boogie the night away. Let’s celebrate the holidays with some funky tunes and good vibes. Save the date, you won’t want to miss this far out party!

SMPS Happy Hour
2023-12-19 16:00 - 18:00 | Piatto Neopolitan Pizzeria, 1706 E. Douglas, Wichita, Kansas, 67214
Join us for our monthly happy hour meet up at Piatto Neopolitan Pizzeria! Want to know more about SMPS? Want a relaxed, comfortable environment to ask all the questions? Want to meet people who do what you do and pull from their experience? Come hang out with us and get half price drinks and half price on select menu items! Best of all, it’s free to attend!

Go/No-Go Practices
2024-01-10 11:30 - 13:00 | McCownGordon Construction, 255 North Mead Street #Suite 200, Wichita, KS 67202, Wichita, KS, 67202, US
A robust Go/No-Go system will weed out the scope creepers, the bottom feeders, and the RFQ tricksters.

AI Solutions for the AEC Industry
2024-02-28 07:30 - 11:30 | Heartspring Conference Center, 8700 E 29th St N, Wichita, KS, 67226, United States
Are you ready to unleash the power of AI in your AEC projects? Do you want to learn how to use AI as an assistant to speed up your marketing processes, understand when to avoid AI on specific projects, and explore how to digest large amounts of written data quickly? If yes, then this session is for you!
We will explore various AI tools to help make marketing/BD processes more efficient and practice prompt writing which is key to using AI well. The workshop will end with an AI hackathon tournament where we will put our knowledge to use.
** Please bring your laptops/tablets/devices – this is an interactive workshop and will be best suited for attendees who can use laptops/tablets for the practice session and tournament. **
Order of Events:

Introductions and goal setting
Sharing data around the inefficiencies of marketing processes
Showcase AI tools to help reduce marketing/BD process gaps
Individual practice of prompt writing (this is where your laptop/tablet comes into play)
AI Tournament: Teams of people will “compete” in a mock project pursuit scenario
Q&A and sharing of additional ideas

About the Speaker:
Julie Huval, FSMPS, CPSM, serves as the Head of Marketing at Beck Technology, where she leads a dynamic team in driving demand for the company’s cutting-edge preconstruction technology solutions. With an MBA from The University of Texas at Arlington and over 18 years in the AEC industry, Julie brings a wealth of knowledge to her role. As a respected speaker in the realms of marketing, business, and technology, she contributes to industry publications and combines strategic marketing initiatives with a profound understanding of the construction industry. Julie’s thought leadership and unwavering commitment to innovation position her as a valuable leader in the field of marketing.

No Local Events in March or April - Instead Attend the SMPS Missouri Valley Regional Conference!
2024-04-03 08:00 - 2024-04-05 17:00 | Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel, Omaha, NE, 302 S. 36th St., Omaha, NE, 68131, United States

Roundtable Discussion: Trends in A/E/C
2024-05-08 11:30 - 13:00 | McCownGordon Construction, 255 North Mead Street #Suite 200, Wichita, KS, 67202, United States

Elevating Your Marketing Through Practical Branding & Identity Guidelines
2024-06-19 11:30 - 13:00 | Tessere, 1525 E Douglas, Wichita, KS, 67211
Today’s A/E/C marketers have to do it all! Proposal coordination, content development, social media management, and public relations – the list goes on! Juggling all of these responsibilities while ensuring your firm’s brand and identity are clear and consistent across materials and platforms sometimes seems impossible. Creating a straightforward brand guideline How To for your team to use simplifies the marketing and promotion process and strengthens your firm’s brand recognition.

In this presentation, Liz Wasson Coleman, CPSM, Principal & Marketing Director at Seattle-based Johnston Architects, will provide examples of successful brand and identity guideline documents from A/E/C firms of varying sizes and disciplines. Applying her past experience with award-winning brand development, Liz will share practical, accessible solutions marketing professionals can implement on their own to strengthen their company’s brand and marketing reach.

Content covers the following Domains of Practice: 1 – Marketing Research 2 – Marketing Planning 3 – Client and Business Development 4 – Proposals 5 – Promotional Activity 6 – Management

Highlighting Your Current Skills & Team to Make Your Interviews Better
2024-07-17 11:30 - 13:00 | Evergy Connect, 111 Ellis St, Wichita, KS, 67211, United States
Blah… blah… blah…Interview selection teams often hear a lot of blah on their way to choosing the right architect for their project. When it’s your turn, you don’t want your audience fading away on you while you present your approach. Just like a highlighter covering the important words on a page, you want to stand out from the rest of the boring text to make your message and your team pop off the page.
You probably didn’t practice presentations in school (the dreaded speech class maybe) and didn’t realize how valuable of a skill it would be to present to a group of potential clients. Project interviews are tough – much tougher than you may expect. Ensuring a good interview actually takes some time, skill and preparation, but that’s where the magic can happen. That’s where you can help stand out from the rest to WIN the project – even if you’re not the predicted front runner.
You may already have many of the skills and resources you need, you may just need help finding them, or highlighting them. Lindsay will put you to work and guide you in practicing proven skills that you can implement in your own way with the resources you may already have. These skills are not personality dependent. You will leave this session with a new awareness of your current skills as well as some newfound approaches to stand out from the rest to land the big project. You will also have FUN!
Attendees will walk away with:

Setting your firm apart from the competition.
How to engage and connect with the audience during a project interview.
Diminishing the fear of public speaking.
Effective use of visualizations and handouts

About the Speaker:
Lindsay L. Young, MBA, FSMPS, CPSM, loves all things PINK, spending time at the lake, is a red dirt country music junkie and enjoys spending time with family and friends. She’s been married to her best friend and husband, Aaron, for eighteen years. Chief Difference Maker of nu marketing, Lindsay consults with small to medium sized design, development and construction firms with their marketing and business development plans. Through effective strategies, she helps businesses increase their profits and build their businesses. With over eighteen years of experience, she helps companies with marketing strategies, brand perception surveys, trade show implementation, customer and employee events, presentations, social media presence, employee training, and project management of branding and website redevelopment.

Economic Development Panel
2024-08-14 11:30 - 13:00 | PEC, 303 S. Topeka, Wichita, KS 67202, Wichita, KS, 67202
Join us for an informative panel discussion navigating Wichita’s economic development landscape and how it impacts the AEC industry.
This event will bring together industry experts to explore topics such as:

Identifying and capitalizing on economic development opportunities in Wichita’s growing market.
How to help your project teams to deliver successful projects.
Effective marketing strategies to position your firm for new business.
The latest trends in development and construction within Wichita’s economic landscape.

Meet our Panelists:

Jason Gregory – Commercial Real Estate Specialist, InSite Real Estate Group
Jonathon Goering – Economic Development Project Manager, Greater Wichita Partnership
Rachel Lange-Mills – President and Supervising Broker, Lange Real Estate

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain a competitive edge!
Ticket Information:
Member Firm Discount Available!
Are you part of a member firm? We’re offering a special Member Firm ticket option, allowing anyone from your firm to purchase their ticket at the member rate. Be sure to invite your colleagues, project managers, and decision-makers to take advantage of this exclusive offer and gain valuable insights together!

Social at BHC
2024-09-11 16:30 - 18:00 | BHC, 165 S. Rock Island, Ste. 150, Wichita, KS, 67202

Roundtable Discussion: Social Media Management
2024-10-16 11:30 - 13:00 | McCownGordon Construction, 255 North Mead Street #Suite 200, Wichita, KS, 67202, United States

Market Research Simplified [Virtual]
2024-11-13 11:30 - 12:30
Is your firm developing a new strategy to respond to today’s market? Or maybe you are evaluating and evolving a previous strategy. This session will help you navigate the who, what, and how of market research, giving you new thinking and resources to start finding the information your firm needs immediately.
Learning Objectives

Market Research Defined
Understand how Market Research can lead in strategy discussions
What kind of Market Research is most useful based on the firm’s overall goals
Understanding the highest ROI Market Research types

About Sarah Kinard
Sarah Kinard is the owner and “Head Bird” of The Flamingo Project, a Market Research and Strategy consultancy designed to GROW existing AEC firms. She is known as a change agent, frequently hired by firms to create a strategy rooted in research, business practice, and scale resulting in their unique growth plan. Sarah is also heavily involved in SMPS, serving as the Dallas president from 2021 to 2022. During her presidency, she worked with Fort Worth to reenvision how SMPS serves the market, and together Dallas and Fort Worth formed an SMPS North Texas chapter. She is presently serving as a trustee of the SMPS Foundation.

SMPS Holiday Social
2025-01-08 16:30 - 18:30 | River City Brewery, 150 N Mosley St, Wichita, KS, 67202
Join us for a fun and festive evening as SMPS Wichita wraps up a fantastic 2024!
We’ll be recognizing our members and celebrating our shared successes. Stop by to say hello, have a drink, and connect with local AEC marketing professionals, and pick up your member special gift!
Event Highlights:
– Drinks and small bites will be served.
– Spouses and guests are welcome!
Whether you’re here for a quick visit or to mingle, we’d love to see you.

SMPS 101 & Social
2025-02-19 16:30 - 18:00 | White Crow Cider Company, 1236 E Waterman St, Wichita, KS, 67211
You’re Invited: SMPS 101 at the White Crow! ✨
📅 When: Wednesday, February 19th |⏰4:30 – 6:00 pm
📍 Where: The White Crow
Get ready to level up your SMPS membership!
Join us for SMPS 101, where we’ll explore how to maximize your membership and thrive as part of a strong community of A/E/C marketing leaders.
💡 What to Expect:

Learn how SMPS can support you and your firm in navigating today’s environment.
Discover resources and expertise to help grow your firm and advance your career.
Engage in an open discussion with a panel of inspiring speakers who will share tips for getting the most out of SMPS.

🎉 Bring a guest and enjoy complimentary appetizers and drinks as we connect, learn, and grow together!
RSVP today to reserve your spot. We can’t wait to see you there! 💼✨

Last Day to Live with Scott Stiles
2025-03-12 11:30 - 13:00 | Candle Club, 6135 E 13th St N, Wichita
If today was your last day, are you happy with what you’ve accomplished in your life?
Join us for an inspiring talk with Scott Stiles as we explore the keys to a life filled with purpose and joy. Scott will guide us in reflecting on what truly matters, celebrating our accomplishments, and discovering how to make the most of every day. It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect with others, share perspectives, and leave feeling inspired to embrace the present moment.

The Future of ICT: Wichita Biomedical Campus
2025-04-16 11:30 - 13:00 | TBD
Join us for an insightful conversation with Emily Patterson, Executive Director of Facilities Planning at Wichita State University.

Navigating A/E/C Proposals: A Panel Discussion
2025-05-14 11:30 - 13:00 | PEC, 303 South Topeka Street, Wichita, KS 67202, Wichita, KS, 67202, US
Join us for a panel discussion covering all things PROPOSALS!

Summer Social
2025-06-11 16:30 - 18:00 | Larkspur | Bistro & Bar, 904 East Douglas Avenue, Wichita, KS 67202, Wichita, KS, 67202, US
Join us for a relaxed summer social with SMPS Wichita as we bring together the brightest minds in the A/E/C industry. Whether you’re a seasoned marketer, a rising professional, or just A/E/C-curious, this is your chance to connect, collaborate, and spark conversations that go beyond the usual business card exchange.

Let’s talk marketing, industry trends, challenges, and opportunities — all while enjoying great company and summer vibes.
Let’s mix, mingle, and make meaningful connections! ☀️🤝

SEO & Website Management for A/E/C
2025-07-09 11:30 - 13:00 | Wichita Advanced Learning Library, 711 W. 2nd St. N, Wichita, KS 67203, Wichita, KS, 67203, United States
Join us for lunch and a powerful session led by Hexcode Marketing, tailored specifically for A/E/C professionals looking to sharpen their digital edge. From SEO best practices to effective website strategies, you’ll walk away with actionable insights to help your firm be found, be fast, and be compelling online.

Whether you’re a marketer, BD pro, or firm leader, this is your chance to learn how to turn your website into your hardest-working asset.

💡 What you’ll learn:

• SEO basics that matter in the A/E/C world
• Website management tips that boost performance
• Common pitfalls—and how to avoid them

👉 Register now and level up your digital game!

Job Site Tour & Social
2025-08-13 16:30 - 18:00 | Exploration Place, 300 N McLean Blvd, Wichita, 67203, United States
Join SMPS Wichita for a behind-the-scenes jobsite tour of the exciting renovations at Exploration Place, followed by a casual networking social at a nearby spot, TBD.

Whether you’re there for the construction insights or the social connection—or both—we’ve got something for you!

Spots are limited—don’t miss this chance to explore, connect, and unwind with AEC peers!

Building Connections: A Panel on Internal Marketing for Stronger Teams
2025-09-03 11:30 - 13:00 | AC Hotel, 105 S Broadway Ave, Wichita, KS, 67202
Join us for a panel discussion covering the complex topic of internal marketing!

Branding, Influencing, and AI: Navigating the Legal Risks in Modern Marketing
2025-10-08 11:30 - 13:00 | Hinkle Law Firm, 1617 N Waterfront Pkwy Ste 400, Wichita, KS, 67206
🚨 Marketers – Don’t Get Caught Off Guard! 🚨
Lunch is on us as we dive into the legal side of marketing with Krystle Dalke, Member Attorney at Hinkle Law Firm LLC.

AI Stole My Marketing Job... And Made Me Better At It
2025-11-12 11:30 - 13:00 | Evergy Connect, 111 Ellis St, Wichita, KS, 67211, United States
Event Details

Join us for a watch party of the latest program from SMPS Southeast Louisiana!
The AEC industry is experiencing an AI revolution that’s transforming how marketing and business development professionals work, yet most firms are paralyzed between executive pressure to “use AI” and zero guidance on how to actually do it. As a marketing operations tech nerd who’s been in the trenches testing AI tools, Julie will share real-world examples of how AI is already reshaping the AEC industry and reveal which manual tasks you should be handing off to AI right now. You’ll discover practical ways to experiment with AI tools without breaking your workflow, plus the mindset shifts that separate the professionals thriving in this tech revolution from those getting left behind. Stop fearing the AI takeover and start leveraging it to become the marketing powerhouse your firm didn’t know it needed.
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SPEAKER: JULIE HUVAL, FSMPS, CPSM
Owner, Marketing Operations Advisor

Julie Huval, FSMPS, CPSM is the owner of Marketing Operations Advisor and helps companies improve the business of marketing. Based in Dallas, Julie has been in the AEC industry for 20 years and has grown various marketing departments and companies throughout her career. She is a sought-after industry author and public speaker on marketing, technology, and business leadership.

SMPS Post-Holiday Party
2026-01-14 16:30 - 18:30
Join SMPS Wichita for our annual Post-Holiday Party and New Year Social! Celebrate the start of 2025 with your fellow marketing and business development professionals in a relaxed, festive setting. Enjoy great company, delicious food and drinks, and good conversation as we kick off another year of networking, learning, and growth. Whether you’re reconnecting with long-time colleagues or meeting new members, this event is the perfect way to shake off the winter blues and jumpstart your year with SMPS.

Developer Dialogue: A Panel Discussion
2026-02-11 11:30 - 13:00 | Larkspur | Bistro & Bar, 904 East Douglas Avenue, Wichita, KS 67202, Wichita, KS, 67202, US
Join SMPS Wichita for an engaging conversation on the pulse of Wichita’s development landscape. This exclusive panel brings together industry leaders George Laham and Stephanie Wise to share insights, experiences, and perspectives shaping the future of our city.
The discussion will dive into key topics influencing successful projects today, including:

Market conditions, risk, and timing
Design and construction collaboration
Public sector partnerships, incentives, and approvals
Community impact and workforce considerations
Advice for navigating what’s next in Wichita development

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge from two of Wichita’s most respected voices in real estate and development — and connect with fellow A/E/C and business professionals eager to keep our community growing.
SMPS Wichita members are encouraged to bring a firm leader or principal to this event at the member rate. It’s a perfect chance to introduce firm leaders to the value of SMPS involvement!
Lunch will be provided.

Jobsite Tour: Wichita Multi-Modal Transit Facility
2026-03-25 16:00 - 18:00
Join SMPS Wichita for a behind-the-scenes jobsite tour of the almost complete Wichita Multi-Modal Transit Facility (aka The Hub), followed by a casual networking social across the street at The Monarch.
Whether you’re there for the construction insights, the social connection, or both, we’ve got something for you!
Spots are limited—don’t miss this chance to explore, connect, and unwind with A/E/C peers!
