Liz O'Rourke Kupcha: SMPS Long Island strives to advocate, educate & connect

SMPS-LI is celebrating its 7th year as a chapter and continues its dedication to advocate for, educate, and connect leaders in the design and construction industries. We recognize that our member firms have been challenged in this economy and have encountered increased competition for potential projects, delayed project kickoff and existing projects getting put on hold. SMPS-LI has offered a wide range of programs that facilitate networking and provide learning opportunities for our members and guests. We are thrilled to have had record-breaking attendance at some of our recent programs. Our breakfast panel programs included higher education, transit oriented development, and procurement. We also hosted educational programs that addressed getting off the shortlist, developing a strategic competitive advantage, proposal hints, In-Design, trade show exhibition and leadership. Our upcoming events include a networking event on April 21st at Four Food Studio, "Marketing Mayhem" which will take place on May 17th at the Huntington Hilton and our Annual Meet & Greet which will take place on July 28th at the Westbury Manor. SMPS-LI is currently developing our 2011-2012 program calendar. This process includes developing a list of topics that will be relevant to the current economic climate and present opportunities to the attendees to "take something back" by having the ability to apply information given at events to their respective jobs. For those of you not familiar with SMPS - The Society for Marketing Professional Services - we are a group of marketing professionals dedicated to the built and natural environments. Our members span all aspects of designers, construction and real estate professionals, industry accountants, attorneys and engineers. Our theme for this year is "Grow with SMPS." I encourage each member to become more active. By being an active member, you are more than a statistic. You can contribute your time to a committee, your knowledge to a subject matter, and your friendship to your fellow colleagues. Please visit us on the web at www.smpsli.org to learn about the organization, our committees and upcoming events. I look forward to meeting you. Liz O'Rourke Kupcha, CPSM is president of SMPS Long Island and is president of Kupcha Marketing Services, Amity Harbor, N.Y.