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Lauren is the Marketing Manager at SWT Design, where she leads and manages all marketing efforts across our St. Louis and Kansas City offices. Her role spans proposals, branding, business development support and strategic positioning for the firm. Within SMPS St. Louis, she currently serves on the Communications and Sponsorship Committees.

Why did you decide to apply for the chapter's scholarship to attend MVRC 2026 in Bentonville?
I applied for the scholarship because of the value I experienced at the previous MVRC conference (Omaha). The combination of relevant content, industry insights, and meaningful connections made a lasting impact on my professional growth. Attending again felt like an opportunity to continue building on that momentum. The scholarship also made it more feasible to prioritize the conference, allowing me to invest in both my own development and bring back insights that benefit my firm and our SMPS chapter.

What were your biggest takeaways from the conference? What did you like most? What would you like to see improved?
One of my biggest takeaways was the importance of aligning marketing strategy with firm-wide business goals. Several sessions reinforced the value of being proactive rather than reactive, especially in how we position our firms and pursue new opportunities. I also appreciated the candid conversations around challenges many AEC marketers face, particularly those working in smaller teams. It was reassuring to hear shared experiences and walk away with practical ideas I can implement right away.

What I enjoyed most was the opportunity to connect with peers across the region. The networking felt genuine and approachable, and I left with new relationships as well as strengthened existing ones.

In terms of improvement, it could be helpful to include even more session options tailored to different experience levels or firm sizes/disciplines, allowing attendees to better customize their learning experience.

Were you involved behind the scenes with the conference at all? If so, what did you do? 
Yes, I supported the Communications Committee leading up to the conference. I worked with the team on a variety of tasks, including social media content, presentation materials and other event support items.

Had you attended an MVRC before the one in Bentonville? If yes, did you experience anything that led you to want to attend? And why? 
Yes, I attended the last MVRC in Omaha, and it definitely made me want to come back. I really enjoyed how relevant the sessions were to my day-to-day work, and it was a great way to connect with other marketers in similar roles.

I also made a lot of friends that I’m still in touch with, which made the experience even more meaningful. It felt like a good mix of learning and meeting people, and I left with ideas I could actually use. That made it an easy decision to attend again this year.

Why do you think an organization like SMPS is so important for marketers and business developers in the AEC Industry? 
Organizations like SMPS are incredibly important because they create a space for connection, learning, and shared understanding within a niche industry. As someone who started as a team of one (and now a team of two), having access to a network of peers facing similar challenges has been invaluable.

When you are not working, what are three things you love doing in your free time? 
I love spending time with my husband and our 9-month-old daughter, trying new restaurants and parks whenever we get the chance, and traveling to explore new places.