I Went to Amplify A/E/C 2023 in Austin, TX. In August. And Not Only Survived but Thrived! How an SMPS Boston Scholarship Helped
Posted on Nov. 3, 2023 / Events / Subscribe 0
AUTHOR: Suzanne King, CPSM Contact
What do 108-degree temperatures, BBQ, over 1000 A/E/C marketers and business developers, and a 7-foot dancing “robot” have in common? All were present in Austin, Texas, this August during Amplify A/E/C 2023, which was the 50th Anniversary of the founding of SMPS.
This was the second year that Amplify (formerly Build Business) was held in person following the pandemic, and as evidenced by the large number of attendees and the overflowing sessions, we were back, and it was nothing short of a marketing extravaganza! The three-day conference was jam-packed with learning opportunities, networking events, and captivating sessions, making it an unforgettable experience.
The Awards Ceremonies are one of my favorites of the conference. Over the course of the two-and-a-half-day conference, we celebrate those who create the collateral, websites, and social media posts at our member companies nationwide. We honor leaders in the industry, as well as the leaders within our chapters, from Chapter President of the Year to announcing the newest CPSMs and the class of Fellows and awarding the highest SMPS honor, the Weld Cox Award.
Adding to the excitement this year was the 50th Celebration Gala held at 800 Congress in Downtown Austin. Over two hundred members were present to hear the history surrounding the founding of The Bird Dogs, smartly renamed the Society of Marketing Professional Services. To hear from some of the founding and long-time members about how the organization came to fruition was a treat.
And no one knows how to celebrate like a conference full of SMPSers. The Thursday evening Solid Gold 50th Celebration had us dancing late into the night. Halfway through the evening, a 7-foot glow-in-the-dark robot entered the scene, handing out high-fives, and shimmied with us on the dance floor—an incredible end to my conference experience.
I would not have been able to attend this event without the benefit of SMPS Boston Chapter’s scholarship program. If you missed their social media posts a couple of weeks ago, visit the scholarships page to learn more about the numerous ways the Boston Chapter gives back to members through their educational and career growth opportunities.
I strongly encourage you to mark your calendars for SMPS Amplify 2024, which is taking place in July 2024 in Salt Lake City, UT. It's an investment in your career and personal development that will pay dividends through your future. The knowledge and connections you'll gain are invaluable, and it's an opportunity to stay at the forefront of our ever-evolving industry.
And speaking of scholarships, budgets, and exciting events, don't forget to keep an eye out for the Northeast Regional Conference (NERC), taking place April 24-26, 2024, right in our own backyard! NERC is another fantastic opportunity to network, learn, and be inspired. It's an event you won't want to miss.
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