SMPS Sacramento Newsletter - May 2026 
President's Message
The Value of Investing in Your Personal Brand
In today’s competitive AEC landscape, technical expertise alone isn’t enough to win work—visibility, trust, and differentiation are what truly set professionals and firms apart. That’s where personal branding becomes a powerful marketing tool. Whether you’re a marketer, business developer, or technical professional, your personal brand is already shaping how clients and colleagues perceive your value.
That’s why we’re excited to highlight SMPS Sacramento’s upcoming program, “Build Your Personal Professional Brand!” taking place on May 21 at SRBX. This interactive workshop will help AEC professionals define what a strong personal brand looks like in our industry, clarify their unique strengths, and learn how to stand out while still aligning with their firm’s brand. Attendees will also gain practical strategies to increase visibility,build credibility, and stay consistently top of mind—walking away with a clear, actionable plan to strengthen their professional presence.
Leading the session is Deirdre Booth, President of TankGirl Marketing, a seasoned AEC marketing strategist with more than 26 years of experience helping firms position themselves to win. Known for her practical, no-fluff approach, Deirdre has built a recognizable and trusted personal brand of her own. As an SMPS Fellow, she brings deep expertise and real-world insight into how individuals can elevate both their careers and their firm’s marketing impact.
As marketing continues to evolve in the AEC industry, investing in your personal brand isn’t just a professional development exercise—it’s a strategic advantage. This session offers a timely opportunity to take control of your narrative, strengthen your influence, and ultimately help your firm win more work.
We hope to see you there!
Sincerely,
[email protected]
(916) 548.2682
Upcoming Events
Be known for what you want to be known for – on purpose.
Your personal brand is already shaping your reputation, whether you’re intentional about it or not. This interactive workshop is designed for AEC professionals ready to take control of how they show up, communicate their value, and build influence within their organizations and across the industry.
In the first half, participants will define what a strong personal brand actually looks like in the AEC space and why it matters. Through guided exercises and real-world examples, attendees will clarify their unique strengths, perspective, and expertise, and learn how to differentiate their personal brand from their company’s brand without conflict or confusion.
In the second half, the focus shifts to visibility and consistency. Attendees will learn how to show up in a way that feels natural - not forced - through practical strategies for sharing insights, building credibility, and staying top of mind with clients, colleagues, and industry peers. The session will include interactive elements to help participants begin putting these concepts into action in real time.
Attendees will walk away with a clearer understanding of their personal professional brand, a simple and practical plan to build visibility and trust, and the confidence to communicate their value in a way that is authentic, consistent, and impactful.
Agenda
8:00 – 8:30 am: Check-in, Breakfast & Networking
8:30 – 9:30 am: Program Presentation
9:30 – 9:45 am: Break
9:45 – 11:00 am: Program Presentation (Interactive Portion)
11:00-11:30 am: Wrap-up, Applying what we learned, Q&A
Speaker Bio
Deirdre Booth has spent more than 26 years in the AEC industry helping professionals and firms position themselves to win—and she’s built a recognizable brand of her own along the way.
As the founder of TankGirl Marketing, Deirdre didn’t just develop strategies for others; she intentionally built a personal and professional brand that people know, trust, and remember. In an industry where relationships drive everything, that visibility isn’t accidental, it’s the result of clarity, consistency, and showing up with purpose.
She’s seen firsthand that the people who advance aren’t always the most experienced or knowledgeable—they’re the ones who are known, trusted, and top of mind when it matters.
In this session, Deirdre brings a practical, real-world approach to personal branding. No fluff. No “influencer” tactics. Just clear strategies to help you define what you want to be known for, strengthen how you show up, and create more opportunities—without changing who you are.
Welcome New Members!
Special Shoutout to Our Anniversaries – April through May 2026
Every year of membership represents dedication to the SMPS mission and our incredible Sacramento community. Congratulations to our members celebrating anniversaries this quarter, we appreciate you and everything you bring to the chapter.
Thank you to everyone who has joined our community! We’re excited to connect with you at upcoming events and encourage you to get involved!
Career Opportunities
Looking for a new opportunity? Check out these open positions:
Proposal and Marketing Coordinator, ZFA Structural Engineers
Senior Marketing Coordinator, Studio W Architects
Proposal Coordinator (AEC), ESA
Volunteer Opportunities
SMPS Call for Volunteers
Find your place to shine as an SMPS Sacramento volunteer!
Volunteering on a committee will build your network, promote your firm, and develop your leadership skills while helping SMPS Sacramento provide the education, programming, and special events you have experienced as a member. Learn more about the committees at the link below and contact any committee chairs, committee members, or Andy Larson for more information or to volunteer.
Community News
The SMPS Research Subcommittee is currently conducting a People and Culture Survey and they would greatly appreciate our input. Here’s the link to the survey: People and Culture Survey 2026.
It takes approximately 15 minutes to complete, and it will help identify trends, highlight opportunities to strengthen engagement and retention, and provide leaders with insights to better support their people.
SMPS Sacramento is excited to share that the Women in Construction 2026 Conference is coming to Downtown Sacramento!
📅 September 9–10, 2026
📍 SAFE Credit Union Convention Center, Downtown Sacramento
The purpose of this conference is to drive the change needed across our industries to build a more equitable and inclusive workforce in the built environment.
This event is proudly hosted in partnership by SMPS Sacramento, SRBX, and CIEF, uniting leaders and advocates across the built environment to create a more equitable and inclusive workforce.
If you’re passionate about inclusion, leadership, and the future of our industry, you won’t want to miss it.
Tickets are available at www.wiccalifornia.com
New log-in experience
Over the summer, SMPS HQ transitioned to a new log-in experience. If you have an account with SMPS HQ, an email was on June 16 with instructions. Didn’t receive the email on June 16? Please reach out to [email protected].
New Online Experience - SMPS Website
Check out the SMPS Store here.
