🎟️ REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

Conference at a Glance

• Rescheduled Conference Date: February 10, 2026
• Location: Maryland Jockey Club, Laurel Park, Route 198 & Racetrack Road, Laurel, MD 20725

Proposal Swap: A Curated, Peer-Driven Review Experience 

This year’s GROW Proposal Swap has been redesigned to deliver deeper insights, more focused discussions, and more meaningful takeaways for every participant. Led by SMPS Maryland Board members Laura Werther, CPSM, and Grace Benn, CPSM, this facilitated session moves beyond a rapid-fire exchange to a structured, intentional review process—mirroring how proposals are actually evaluated in the real world.

 How it works:

• In advance of the conference, attendees will submit the RFP for the proposal they plan to bring.
• Laura and Grace will review each RFP to identify key evaluation criteria and notable requirements, then thoughtfully group proposals to ensure a mix of formats, project types, and firm disciplines.
• On the day of the conference, participants will review a curated set of proposals alongside the corresponding RFP criteria, allowing you to assess how effectively teams responded to the client’s stated priorities.
• Participants will be seated at small round tables to enable thoughtful, peer-to-peer discussion.

 
The session will include:

• Individual review time with guided prompts
• Small-group discussion to compare observations
• A facilitated large-group conversation to share standout examples, emerging trends, and practical lessons attendees can apply immediately
  

Keynote 

The Power of the Pivot: Creative Problem-Solving for Modern Marketers

When budgets shrink, teams get leaner, and traditional approaches stop working, the marketers who thrive aren't the ones with the biggest resources—they're the ones who pivot fastest and think most creatively. In this energizing keynote, Ali Von Paris shares the unexpected creative pivots that kept Route One Apparel not just surviving, but thriving through industry disruption and resource constraints. Drawing from real-world experience building a brand without traditional marketing budgets, she demonstrates why creativity isn't a luxury for A/E/C marketers—it's a survival skill. You'll leave with actionable strategies for turning constraints into innovation, rethinking your approach to branding and storytelling, and solving marketing challenges with scrappiness and ingenuity when "business as usual" just won't cut it.

About our Presenter:

Ali von Paris is the Maryland-born entrepreneur and creative visionary behind Route One Apparel, the iconic brand she launched at just 19 that grew into a multimillion-dollar sensation. From viral designs in her college dorm to national media, NFL stadiums, and partnerships across the state, Ali has become one of Maryland’s most influential storytellers. Now the Chief Visionary Officer of Route One Apparel after its 2025 acquisition, she continues to champion local makers, uplift women, and turn Maryland pride into powerful, community-driven storytelling. With more than 250,000 followers and a talent for turning everyday Maryland moments into viral magic, Ali brings humor, heart, and hard-earned insight into entrepreneurship, branding, and creative leadership.

Workshops

Smarter Strategic Planning: How AI Can Elevate Your Planning Process Across Your Whole Firm

Strategic planning is evolving from static reports to adaptive, data-driven systems powered by artificial intelligence. This session demonstrates how AI tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, and predictive analytics can transform how firms plan, forecast, and make decisions. Attendees will learn how to integrate AI at every stage of strategic planning, from marketing and business development to operations, to turn data into actionable insights. Using real-world examples and live exercises, Frank Lazaro will show how AI enhances, not replaces, human judgment, creating more innovative strategies, faster alignment, and continuous feedback loops that drive measurable results. Participants will leave with practical prompts, tools, and frameworks to start applying AI immediately within their planning processes. This interactive, high-energy session helps participants:

Key Takeaways

Interactive Elements

About our Presenter: 

Frank Lazaro is a visionary strategist and a persuasive executor. As a best-selling author, inventor, and keynote speaker, he is recognized for his expertise in artificial intelligence and innovation. With over 20 years of leadership experience, he advises organizations on adopting innovative strategies to drive growth and efficiency. The author of Finding 12 Minutes, Building an AI-Ready Organization, and other works, Frank is known for delivering practical, actionable insights to organizations worldwide.

Building Your Leadership Brand: Aligning Values, Behavior, and Impact

Strong marketing leaders are committed to constantly managing and protecting their organization’s brand. This same level of intentional focus is required to manage your personal Leadership Brand. And, yes, you do have a Leadership Brand! In this session, Cathy Nyce will highlight the importance of a brand-focused approach to your career and how your brand can support or derail your goals. Attendees will identify Core Personal Values and how those values affect behavior. These Values will be used to draft a Leadership Declaration that reflects the leader’s personal vision for leadership and their commitment to its obligations. Participants will leave with increased awareness of how behaviors can contribute to or detract from a positive leadership brand, along with tools for reinforcing and evolving your brand.

Key Takeaways

Interactive Elements

About our Presenter: 

Cathy Nyce is an ICF-certified Leadership Coach with over 30 years of experience in Marketing and Communications leadership roles. Her signature “Front Porch” approach to leadership coaching allows clients to slow the pace, reflect, and identify their core values while sharpening their impact as leaders. Her coaching balances introspection with practical business insight, ensuring leaders not only grow personally but also deliver measurable results for their organizations. Her approach is grounded, business-savvy, and results-focused: helping leaders and teams grow in ways that enhance performance, strengthen culture, and drive organizational success.

Educational Sessions

Storytelling Skills for A/E/C Marketers: Brand-Building Content from Technical Teams

The difference between firms that build strong brands and those that blend in often comes down to one skill: the ability to obtain and articulate what makes their technical approach unique. This session provides A/E/C marketers with practical tools, techniques, and frameworks for working with technical staff to develop content that differentiates your firm and strengthens your brand. Our presenter, Cindy Taylor, founder and CEO of Capstone Communications, brings over 40 years of experience to help you learn the interviewing methods, storytelling structures, and other navigation strategies that turn standard project descriptions into compelling narratives that showcase your firm’s distinctive expertise and problem-solving capabilities. What You’ll Learn:

Grow Your Network, Grow Your Business: Essential Skills for Success

In today’s fast-paced and competitive business landscape, the ability to build authentic connections isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a critical driver of success. Strong relationships create opportunities, foster collaboration, and position individuals for long-term growth. Yet, turning everyday interactions into meaningful business outcomes requires more than chance—it demands strategy, confidence, and intentionality. During this education session, A/E/C leader Chad Sary will demonstrate proven strategies to elevate your professional presence and strengthen your networking efforts. This session will provide actionable insights, including:

About our Presenter: 

Chad Sary is the South Region Business Development Lead at KCI, supporting the region’s strategic growth and drives client success efforts. He brings a unique blend of public- and private-sector experience, playing a pivotal role in expanding KCI’s footprint with local government leaders, partners, and regional organizations. Chad has over two decades of experience, including in local government and the A/E/C industry, providing him with a deep understanding of the needs, challenges, and priorities of communities, organizations, and clients. 

From Charisma to Consistency: Building a Business Development Engine

⁠A/E/C firms waste millions of dollars because business development is personality-based instead of process-based. Using the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), business development becomes measurable, managed, and coachable. In this interactive education session, leading EOS expert Jason Jannati will teach you how to turn lead generation into a scorecard, how to create weekly accountability for your team, and how to turn technical stars into confident revenue producers without turning them into “salespeople.” He’ll show how to build a 90-day BD plan, set leading indicators that predict pipeline (not lagging indicators like revenue), and resolve capacity conflicts that cause BD activity to collapse when projects get busy. You’ll leave with a simple weekly Level 10 meeting agenda that keeps your BD world aligned and a “Issues Solving Track” process you can use in your next BD team meeting the next day. Key takeaways from this session: 

About our Presenter: 

Jason Jannati, a certified EOS Implementer®, is a highly motivated community developer and a leader in entrepreneurship and business acquisitions. Recognized by the Obama White House for efforts in sustainability and job creation, and raised in Columbia, MD, he was instilled with principles of equality, diversity, and community from an early age. Jason is a highly motivated leader in entrepreneurship and business acquisition, implementing EOS for the past nine-plus years, helping business developers achieve their objectives.

What's Included with Your Registration 

⏰ Half-Day Focused Format

High-impact learning without the multi-day commitment. Get what you need and return to work the same day—no overnight stays required.

🍽️ Complimentary Buffet Lunch

Network over a full lunch included with Conference Bundle registration—connect with peers while enjoying great food.

📝 Proposal Swap Workshop

Participate in our exclusive Proposal Swap for real-world feedback on your proposals. Bring a redacted proposal and gain valuable insights from fellow professionals. (Conference Bundle only)

🎉 Networking in the New Year Evening Event

Continue conversations and connections at our NITNY celebration—included with all registrations.

✅ Practical, Implementable Skills

Leave with strategies you can use starting Monday, not just inspiration—tools, templates, and tactics ready to implement.

👥 ~100 Engaged Professionals

Intimate setting for meaningful connections with Maryland's A/E/C marketing leaders, practitioners, and peers.

Registration Pricing

*Conference Bundle includes: Proposal Swap, half-day conference, complimentary buffet lunch, and Networking in the New Year evening event
**Conference + NITNY Only includes: Half-day conference, complimentary buffet lunch, and Networking in the New Year evening event
***Sponsor pricing applies to current SMPS Maryland sponsors

Group Discounts - Bring Your Team!

Register multiple people from the same firm and save:

Group discounts apply to the per-person registration rate. Contact us for details on how to apply your discount.

Why Attend GROW?

🎯 Start Your Year Strategically

January timing means you'll learn and implement before your busiest season hits. Set your marketing direction for the entire year while it's fresh.

📊 Member-Driven Programming

We surveyed our community and listened. Every session addresses the exact topics YOU requested

💰 Maximum ROI

Half-day format + no travel costs + practical content + lunch + networking event = professional development that actually fits small firm budgets and busy schedules.

🤝 Maryland Community Connection

Build lasting relationships with the ~100 professionals you'll work with throughout the year. Quality connections and meaningful conversations, not just business card collection.

🍽️ Extended Networking

Your registration includes a complimentary buffet lunch and admission to our Networking in the New Year evening event—maximizing connection time with peers beyond just the conference sessions.

Refund/Cancelation Policy

Refunds for conference registration requested less than five business days prior to the conference will not be issued. Transfers of registration to another person who can attend in your place are allowed. The transfer/substitution ticket cost must be equal to or less than the original ticket cost. The transfer/substitution is allowed up to 72 business hours prior to the event. 

About GROW

GROW is SMPS Maryland's premier half-day conference dedicated to A/E/C professionals that showcases best practices in marketing, communications, and business development. For the past three years, GROW has consistently attracted approximately 100 attendees for focused learning, networking, and professional growth. The concentrated format delivers high-impact content that attendees can immediately apply to their work, making GROW one of the most valued events on the SMPS Maryland calendar.