From The Beginning: Our Long-Time Members Reflect on SMPS Philadelphia
Posted by Website Director on Jun. 16, 2022 / Blog / Subscribe 0
As SMPS Philadelphia celebrates its 40th Anniversary with the crescendo coming June 23 with the Ruby Jubilee at the Down Town Club (for tickets, visit SMPS Philadelphia - Meeting/Event Information) – we spoke to our longest, continuously tenured members Kirk Harman, President of The Harman Group who joined on October 26, 1984, and Judy Bernicker, Business Development Manager at JBC Associates, Inc., who joined on January 1, 1985.
SMPS: Why have you remained committed and involved with SMPS?
JB: “There are several reasons, but the first, this is one of the few professional organizations that completely understands the A/E/C industry at all levels. SMPS includes your peers who understand the issues you are dealing with… Peers who you can talk to and can relate to because they are involved with similar situations. Second, I’ve met so many people with so many firms from young people to senior executives who stay connected and stay involved.”
KH: “I have learned so much from SMPS, especially in my younger days. wanted to help the younger people in the company to learn from SMPS as I did in my younger days. There are benefits from others and from other companies.”
SMPS: Let’s talk a little history. Where do you think the organization has made the biggest strides… biggest successes?
JB: “The shared experiences of the members as it’s an organization that truly focuses on A/E/C instead of other types of professional services. It’s also an organization that allows for someone who is entering the industry to learn to grow their strengths as a marketer or a business developer. One other aspect about SMPS that is different than other industry organizations is the camaraderie among members. There is an openness and an honesty among the members. There members share their experiences in a forthcoming manner without holding back and they receive help and ideas from their peers.”
KH: “This is a hard call. The awards program has always been effective in recognizing the people in the industry. Recognizing and validating individuals for their careers and the people in this industry as an important part of the profession.”
SMPS: What would you tell someone new to the industry about SMPS?
JB: “You are going to learn and develop relevant, useable skills. I’ve sat in on so many different topics, whether it’s a CRM discussion about what works and what doesn’t to the marketing awards where you can see what other firms are doing with their social media campaigns, videos, proposals, and so many other topics. Another critical aspect is that SMPS always has beneficial client panels. The organization gathers a group to address their needs and tell the A/E/C community what they need, what is coming next, and what they expect. These are honest conversations that provide value and insight.”
KH: “When I got involved at the beginning, there were well-respected marketing and business development specialists, available and offering support and assistance. Many of them I’m still involved with today. The relationships, developing skills, developing a network, learning from outside your firm – it’s worth it.”
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