September 2018 President's Message

NEW YEAR. NEW LOOK. NEW OPPORTUNITIES.

Happy New Year, SMPS Southeast Louisiana!

As the 2018-2019 President of the SeLA Chapter, I am eager and excited to lead this organization that has shaped my career path in the local AEC industry through the years, enriched my knowledge and network, as well as opened doors on a regional and national level. I owe so much to this chapter: the past leaders who I admire and look to as mentors, the current Board of Directors- all rockstars who I cannot brag enough on, and the entire membership who continually provides new insight and energy into our group. It has been this rewarding experience as a member of SMPS SeLA that motivates me to serve you all this year in hopes that each one of you finds similar value and pride in belonging to this society.

While our new year officially started September 1, the Board has been hard at work behind the scenes for several months. From updating bylaws, centralizing a database, establishing communication channels, and strategizing events, we hope you will see this diligence reflected in your membership value: enticing lunch programs, fresh educational workshops, an engaged and active social media presence, new opportunities for promoting your firm, a community partnership program that is truly making an impact on the youth in our area, and a ten-year anniversary gala in November that is going to be magical.

As if we don’t have enough to look forward to and celebrate, you’ve probably seen the new SMPS branding that we are thrilled about. We have a new chapter logo and style guide and have already started integrating the new design into our visuals and messaging. The society’s new vision, Transforming Business through Marketing Leadership, will serve at the core of our goal to help you gain professional development, discover leadership opportunities, and have an abundance of easily accessible marketing resources.

I am proud and honored to serve you in the tenth year of this great chapter. We have accomplished so much since our inception and I’m confident the momentum continues into the 2018-2019 year. I also encourage you to share with me any new ideas that will help us grow as well as jump in and volunteer in several of our committees. Five years ago I asked then President, Lynne Sealy, where I can help out and she introduced me to Rachel Harris, who was overseeing Communications. That experience working with Rachel was my SMPS SeLA foundation which introduced me to a new network of peers as well as rewarding opportunities that continually grows to this day.

I’ll close by saying “Thank You.” Thank you to everyone who is passionate about this chapter’s success and the continual support you provide. I look forward to working with, learning from, and growing with you all this year.

Sincerely,

Whitney Watson, CPSM

SMPS SeLA President

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