August 2026 — SMPS Chapter Leader Newsletter

Section 01

Feature Story

1 update

Congratulations to Our Chapter President of the Year

Last month at Amplify A|E|C, we recognized SMPS award winners and honorees for their achievements in leadership, creativity, and innovation. Congratulations to all!

A special shoutout goes to our 2026 Chapter President of the Year, Laura Frein, CPSM, from SMPS Philadelphia, who led a transformative year focused on transparency, organization, and industry reputation. Her leadership resulted in measurable growth across membership, sponsorship, programming, and chapter operations while establishing processes that will benefit the chapter for years to come.

Read About Laura Frein Meet the Winners and Honorees

Section 02

Leadership Learning

2 updates

August 13, 2026, 3-4 p.m. ET

Creating Member Value Beyond Events

Register for the Session

August 20, 2026

CLS Plus Succession Planning

Register for the Session

Section 03

Chapter Updates and Reporting

4 updates

Target August 31

Bylaws Adoption Target August 31

A reminder that the target date for chapters to adopt the updated model bylaws is August 31, 2026.

If your chapter hasn’t completed its review and approval process yet, now is the time to assess where you are in the process and identify any remaining steps. Whether you’re preparing a member vote, reviewing draft language, or addressing chapter-specific questions, I’m here to help.

Please reach out if you have questions, concerns, or would like to schedule time to discuss your chapter's progress. My goal is to ensure every chapter feels supported and confident throughout the transition.

Thank you for your leadership and for the work you do every day to strengthen your chapters and the Society as a whole.

~Kai Wright
Associate Director, Volunteer Relations

January 31, 2027

Education and Finance Reports Due January 31 2027

The 2026 Education & Finance Reports are due January 31, 2027, and will cover the reporting period of September 1, 2025-December 31, 2026.

To make year-end reporting easier, we encourage chapters to begin entering education data into the Education Report throughout the year rather than waiting until January.

The Chapter President is ultimately responsible for ensuring both reports are submitted by the deadline but may delegate completion to another board member. Final reports should be emailed to volunteers@smps.org by January 31, 2027.

Please use the 2025-26 Chapter Education Report Template as a guide.

Use the workbook to report chapter programming from September 1, 2025, through December 31, 2026. Include program titles, presenters, dates, Domains of Practice, educational credits, evaluation averages, attendance, and whether each program was virtual, in person, or hybrid. Complete the narrative tab with programming highlights and challenges. Submit one Education Report per chapter.

Download the 2025–26 Chapter Education Report Template

Chapter Programming Insights

Plan your next program with confidence. This resource compiles data from chapter Education Reports, allowing you to explore session topics, speakers, attendance, and more. Filter by chapter size and other criteria to benchmark against similar chapters, identify trends, and discover ideas for future events. Data reflects information submitted in 2024–2025 Education Reports.

Money Matters Financial Updates for Chapters

The Society is having a strong year. Sponsorship is well ahead of goal, Amplify A|E|C in Las Vegas is drawing record interest, the reimagined Pinnacle Experience is sold out, and the SMPS board’s Finance Committee continues its work with our new financial consultant on the updated Investment Policy Statement. Thank you to the chapter leaders who keep our financial foundation strong.

To read more on Money Matters, provided by SMPS Secretary/Treasurer, Adam Kilbourne, FSMPS, CPSM, visit our website.

Read Money Matters

Section 04

Foundation News and Resources

3 updates

Congratulations to the Foundation Scholarship Recipient

Congratulations to Ashley Mendoza who received the 2026 SMPS Foundation scholarship. Through the Society’s partnership with ACE Mentor, the scholarship provides support to ACE alumni pursuing undergraduate degrees in AEC fields. Recently, SMPS chatted with Ashley who attends the University of Washington and is majoring in Construction Management. Learn more about Ashley!

Meet the Scholarship Recipient

Ends August 31

Foundation Call for Volunteers Ends August 31

Are you or your chapter members interested in making a difference by investing in the future of AEC? Consider volunteering for the SMPS Foundation! There are several opportunities available below as either a committee, project, or micro volunteer. The Call for Volunteers is open through August 31, 2026. If you have any questions, please reach out to foundation@smps.org.

Explore Foundation Volunteer Opportunities

Explore the Foundation’s Latest Research

The SMPS Foundation continues to deliver intelligence and insights for our members to navigate a highly competitive marketplace. Please spread the word about the SMPS Foundation’s most recent projects:

Emerging Trends: Developed in partnership with Stambaugh Ness, this publication explores how collaboration, client experiences, and strategic leadership are shaping the AEC industry

If you’re interested in featuring the SMPS Foundation’s insights, expertise, and thought leadership at a future event or session, let them know! From industry trends and original research to engaging speakers and rich content, the Foundation offers a wealth of knowledge to help elevate your chapter’s programming. Reach out to foundation@smps.org for more information.

Explore Emerging Trends 2027

Section 05