An Ocean of Inspiration – SMPS Pacific Regional Conference Event Recap

by Madison Dreiger, Osborn Consulting Inc.

As a recipient of the SMPS Seattle Pacific Regional Conference scholarship, I was awarded registration to the 2016 Pacific Regional Conference. I am so thankful to the chapter, the scholarship committee, and the board for providing me with this incredible opportunity. As a marketer with just over a years of experience in the professional services world, I soaked up so much more than sun this February; I listened to and discussed the many challenges and opportunities that we all face on a daily basis in our roles.

When I applied for the PRC scholarship, I was already anxiously pouring over the schedule of workshops and speakers at the conference, crossing my fingers that I would find an opportunity to attend. What an incredible surprise and honor it was to find out in January that I had been selected to receive the scholarship. Having memorized the schedule weeks before actually arriving in Palm Springs, I thought I knew what was in store for me at the PRC, but what I walked away with was so much more.

First and foremost, I learned a lot. More than I could have imagined. I followed the “Marketing Tips and Tricks” workshop track, which was focused on tools to “heat up” marketing content and strategies; perfect for someone relatively new to the industry. Coming from a smaller firm it was incredibly valuable for me to see what huge national firms were developing in terms of tools like PR plans, video marketing, brand guidelines, and proactive marketing strategies, and to learn how I could implement them at my own firm. My pen hardly ever left paper as I frantically tried to note every piece of information I could from these incredible speakers. Even better, when my hand would fly up with a question, I would receive an immediate and considerate response from these individuals who have such a wealth of knowledge and experience. From learning which fonts pair nicely together and why, to putting together my own action plan to “Stop Putting out Fires!” through proactive marketing, every workshop I attended at the PRC was packed full of tips and tricks that were relevant and helpful to myself, a young marketer, as well as those who have been in the industry for decades.

Whether it was within the conference walls themselves or between workshops on the balcony of the resort overlooking the palm trees and pools, the networking at the PRC was unbelievable. I was able to meet many members of the Seattle chapter that I hadn’t before, as well as members of chapters from all over the west coast. I sat down to dinner Wednesday evening with our President-Elect Amanda Erikson and treasurer Heidi Maki, I spoke with video marketers, marketers from architecture, civil, mechanical, structural, every type of engineering firm I had or hadn’t heard of before, as well as architecture an construction firms. And what was truly amazing about it all was how approachable each of these people were and how passionate they all were about marketing. I probably learned just as much from chatting with attendees as I did in the workshops and I left with more business cards that I could count. I also left with the sense that I could call or email any one of them with a question and they would jump at the opportunity to share their experiences and offer me guidance.

The knowledge and support that I received through the PRC blew me away. But what I left with was more than a notebook full of notes and a purse full of business cards, over all I left with inspiration. I left feeling as though I had the power to do so much for my firm and for my own professional development as all the amazing marketers I met had done and continue to do. This inspiration and a revitalized sense of excitement for my job couldn’t have come at a better time for myself and my firm. Proposal designs, advertising campaigns, so many new forms to develop… I left the PRC with invaluable information, support, and motivation, more so than I could ever have imagined, and I’m already putting that information to use.

I am really look forward to attending the PRC again in the future, as a speaker perhaps, once I have developed my own “Tips and Tricks,” or maybe even as a Fellow someday. Who knows? As a marketer, anything is possible, and the PRC made that exceptionally clear to me.