As a marketing manager (or aspiring marketing manager!) in the A/E/C world, you are responsible for so much more than proposal development. You are a resource for marketing, business development, technical and executive staff – driving marketing efforts through planning, budgeting and strategic pursuits. You are the creative force behind social media campaigns, winning proposals and memorable holiday gifts. Join us for this three-part series laser focused to help you hone your marketing manager skills and also to connect you with your peers. 

Registration includes admission to all three sessions!

Topics include:

Wednesday, January 29:  Accelerating Thought Leadership
Jerry Gennaria, President and CEO | TOKY

In a recent study of A/E/C marketers, fewer than 30% include thought leadership in their firm’s value proposition, but these same marketers list thought leadership as the most important value proposition to differentiate their firms. Let’s reframe what thought leadership is and how to make it happen. We’ll discuss creating a roadmap for true thought leadership, how to engage your firm’s thought leaders in the important work without relying on them for everything, and how to think about content creation and dissemination.

Wednesday, February 5:  Forging Followers into Fanatics: The Rise of Sociable Marketing
Melissa Ross, Digital Content Producer | Geile/Leon Marketing Communications
Ben Schwab, Creative Director | Geile/Leon Marketing Communications

This presentation dives into sociable marketing, an empathy-informed approach to social media marketing that redefines how brands connect with their audiences. By focusing on authentic community engagement, brands can transcend traditional marketing tactics to become pillars of their communities. Through the lens of the 4-ABLES Framework—shareable, memorable, likeable and ownable—you’ll discover how to craft dynamic messaging that ignites loyalty and transforms passive followers into devoted brand advocates.

Wednesday, February 12:  Proposal Management from GNG to Close Out
Sarah Kinnard, CPSM, Regional Marketing Manager | FGM Architects

Proposals are a significant undertaking for A/E/C marketing teams and play a vital role in building relationships and driving business and creative growth. This session explores practical, efficient strategies for managing proposals while fostering effective collaboration across diverse teams. By emphasizing structured processes, clear communication and adaptability, you’ll learn how to navigate the proposal process more effectively and craft compelling, impactful proposals.

The Marketing Manager’s Guide is one of three rotating educational series offered by SMPS St. Louis. Each series is intended to target members at a specific time in their career including entry-level with the Coordinator’s Club, mid-level with the Marketing Manager’s Guide and executive with the Leadership Forum.

3 CPSM CEUs  are available for these sessions.

Domains Covered:

For questions regarding this program, contact Reagan Branham at [email protected].

Session 1: Accelerating Thought Leadership
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
8:45 - 9:00 AM - registration and breakfast
9:00 - 10:00 AM - presentation
TOKY, 3141 Locust Street, St. Louis, MO 63103
Entrance door is located at the northeast corner of the building. Parking is available in the lot to the east of TOKY, between 3117 and 3135 Locust, and can be entered from the alley off of Cardinal or Compton.  Metered street parking is also available.

Session 2: Forging Followers into Fanatics: The Rise of Sociable Marketing
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
8:45 - 9:00 AM - registration and breakfast
9:00 - 10:00 AM - presentation
Farnsworth Group, 20 Allen Ave #200, St. Louis, MO 63119
Adjacent surface parking lot with spots available.

Session 3: Proposal Management from GNG to Close Out
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
8:45 - 9:00 AM - registration and breakfast
9:00 - 10:00 AM - presentation
FGM Architects, One Metropolitan Square Ste 1945, St. Louis, MO 63102
Parking is available in the Metropolitan Square garage - entrances off Pine between N. 6th St. and N. Broadway. "Reserved" signage on the exterior refers to the parking being reserved for guests of the building, you are welcome to park here! Take garage elevators to the LOBBY level, where you will locate the middle elevator bank to access the 19th floor - please follow signage, as not all elevators access all floors. FGM is the only tenant on the 19th floor, so follow signage from the elevator to the office.

Fee: (for all three sessions)
Member: $100
Non-Member: $150
CPSM: $90

Please RSVP by Friday, January 24, 2025.