A message from Your President: June 2026
Posted by [email protected] on Jun. 2, 2026 / President's Message / Subscribe 0
Halfway There, and Just Getting Started!
Dear SMPS Tampa Bay Members,
We have reached the halfway point of our chapter year, and before we look ahead, I want to take a moment to recognize what this community has accomplished together since September 2025.
Our theme this year is Learn More. Win More. With SMPS. And looking back on the past eight months, those are not just words. They are showing up in every program, every partnership, and every new connection our members have made along the way.
A Year Worth Celebrating
Consider what we have delivered together so far:
We launched the year with Bold Impressions: Digital Impact, a hands-on workshop with Amanda Gonzalez and the team from Paloma Studios that helped members sharpen their personal brand and strengthen their digital presence. Our CPSM Discover Kickoff gave aspiring candidates a clear path toward certification, followed by in-person study sessions led by Lissette Callejas, CPSM, that continue to bring candidates together in a collaborative learning environment.
Our Coffee & Connections series expanded into Sarasota and Lakeland this year, joining our established meetups in Tampa and St. Pete. These gatherings have become one of the most consistent ways new and existing members connect, and the growth we have seen in attendance reflects the demand for genuine, informal relationship-building across our region.
The 2nd Annual Hot Cocoa Social in January brought members and non-members together to meet our board and kick off 2026. Thank you again to our host, The ProMedia Group, for opening their doors to our chapter.
In March, our Transportation Industry Event sold out, bringing together regional leaders including FDOT District 7 Secretary Justin Hall, THEA Executive Director and CEO Greg Slater, and City of Sarasota Director of Public Works Nikesh Patel for a conversation on strategic funding solutions and the rise of alternate delivery. That same month, our Marketing Bootcamp also sold out, delivering a full day of professional development led by four former SMPS Tampa Bay presidents and our current President-Elect, covering everything from pursuit strategy to client relationship management. And the 2nd Annual Ultimate Industry Headshot Social gave professionals across the region a chance to invest in their brand while networking in a relaxed, creative setting.
April brought Real Talk: "So You Won... Now What?", where owners and AEC leaders offered candid perspectives on what clients expect after the award.
And in May, our 16th Annual SMPS & AIA Tampa Bay Healthcare Symposium sold out with a record number of registrations, marking the strongest showing in the event's history. We also hosted our first-ever wellness event, Sunset Slow Flow with SMPS, in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, a program that broke new ground for our chapter and reminded us that investing in our people means more than professional development alone.
Looking at the Numbers
Three signature events sold out. Every major program exceeded expectations. Our networking series now spans four cities. And our members continue to show up with the kind of energy, curiosity, and commitment that makes SMPS Tampa Bay one of the strongest chapters in the state.
What's Ahead???
The second half of our year is packed with programming that continues to push our chapter forward.
This Thursday: State of the Chapter Board Meeting
This Thursday, our board and committee members will come together for our State of the Chapter board meeting, where we will share an update on everything we have accomplished so far and then shift into a mini-planning session for the rest of the year. As a personal thank you to the volunteers who make all of this possible, I will be cooking dinner for our board and committee members that evening. The least I can do for the people who give so much of their time and talent to this chapter is feed them well.
We're planning our 4th Annual AI in AEC Event in July, one of the most forward-looking programs we offer. Artificial intelligence continues to reshape how we market, pursue, and deliver work, and this program has become a signature event our members look forward to every year. Stay tuned for speakers and details.
September brings the resurgence of a program this region has been missing: a full event dedicated to Educational Facilities, spanning K-12 and higher education. Our planning committee is already hard at work, and we will be announcing dates, speakers, and details soon. This one has been a long time coming, and we are excited to bring the educational market back into focus for our community.
Your Voice Matters
As we plan the second half of our year, your feedback is extremely important. The programming we build is for you, and we want to make sure every event, conversation, and resource aligns with what you need most. If you have questions, ideas, or suggestions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly. My door is always open, and I genuinely want to hear from you.
Call for Volunteers!
Please be on the lookout soon for an announcement about board applications for the 2027 board year!
Thank You
To our board of directors, committee volunteers, sponsors, speakers, and members: this first half belongs to all of you. Every sold-out event, every new connection, every hour of preparation behind the scenes reflects the strength of a chapter that genuinely cares about the people and industry we serve.
Thanks to everyone who made the first half of our year truly remarkable, and I can't wait to see where we go next!
See you soon!
Jonathan Santiago
President, SMPS Tampa Bay (2025-2026)
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