The SMPS Symposium brings together marketers, technical professionals, and clients to explore how strong relationships are built and sustained in today’s AEC industry. Through thought‑provoking perspectives, practical learning, and real client insight, the program focuses on communication, influence, and client experience—highlighting the many ways firms can create meaningful connections and deliver value beyond the proposal and the pitch.

Agenda highlights

12:00PM - 12:45PM | Arrival, Registration & Lunch

12:45PM - 1:00PM | Opening Remarks by SMPS HQ

1:00PM - 1:45PM | Presentation

To Publish with Purpose with Stefan Novakovic

Storytelling has long been central to communicating the value of AEC firms. Within every firm are compelling stories—of projects delivered, the people behind them, and the impact of each on communities and the built environment. This session highlights a range of publishing approaches that extend beyond standard case studies, awards, and traditional media, including strategic self-publishing, digital platforms, and true thought leadership. It outlines how each format builds brand awareness, credibility, and competitive advantage, along with key considerations for doing each effectively to win new work. Participants will be challenged to frame stories not only around the project or firm, but within the broader social and cultural contexts they shape and influence.

1:45PM - 3:00PM | Workshop

Influence After the Pitch: The technical expert’s guide to building authority and earning trust with Anthea Rowe, Exmplify Consulting

Winning work depends on trust—not just technical excellence. In this interactive session, AEC marketers will learn practical tools to help technical experts represent their firms with clarity and confidence in client meetings, networking events, and business development settings. Highlights include the Headline Method for memorable introductions, a simple meeting‑prep framework to clarify objectives and outcomes, and a “Know Before You Go” template to quickly understand who’s in the room. Participants will leave with a ready‑to‑use Spokesperson Prep Guide they can apply immediately with their teams.

3:00PM - 3:15PM | Break

3:15PM - 4:30PM | Presentation

Client Experience (CX) with Ryan Suydam, Client Savvy, A Clearly Rated Company

Client Experience (CX) isn’t just a trend—it’s a competitive advantage top AEC firms are using to win more work, deepen client loyalty, and fuel growth. Drawing on breakthrough research by Client Savvy, a ClearlyRated Company, in partnership with the SMPS Foundation, this session reveals not just what leading firms are doing differently, but how you can apply those same strategies in your firm now. Packed with practical guidance and actionable takeaways, attendees will gain a step‑by‑step blueprint to embed a CX mindset, design impactful initiatives, secure leadership buy‑in, and avoid common mistakes. You’ll leave equipped and ready to turn insights into measurable impact for your clients, your firm, and your bottom line.

4:30PM - 5:30PM | Client Panel

The Buyer's Perspective: What Actually Wins Work (and Keeps it), Moderated by Gregory Devine, Leader of Marketing and Business Development, Engineering Link

What really influences client decisions and relationships beyond the proposal? 

This candid panel brings together senior development and project leaders to unpack how they evaluate consultants across the full lifecycle: from first introduction, to shortlist, to long-term partnership. Moving beyond generic “relationship advice,” panelists will share specific behaviours, signals, and missteps that shape their decisions, often long before an RFP is issued. 

The discussion will explore two critical dimensions of business development: 

Attendees will gain practical, client-informed insights into how to position their firms more effectively, contribute more meaningfully during projects, and build relationships that extend beyond a single mandate. 

5:30-5:35PM | Closing Remarks

5:35PM - 7:30PM | Social

Symposium attendees are invited to join us for a networking happy hour following the program. Two drink tickets and light food will be provided. 

Event Details

Target Audience: AEC marketing, business development, and technical leaders seeking practical ways to strengthen client relationships and create value beyond proposals and pursuits.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs): 4

Markendium Domains: Client and Business Development

Presenters

Stefan Novakovic, Writer and Editor

Stefan Novakovic is a Toronto-based writer and editor specializing in architecture and urbanism. A co-founder of Expo Magazine, Stefan previously served as an editor at  Azure Magazine, Canadian Architect, and Urban Toronto. His writing has also appeared in a wide range of publications, including The Architect’s Newspaper, Canadian Interiors, Designlines, Building Magazine, and the New York Review of Architecture. He is the winner of numerous journalism awards, including multiple National Magazine Awards (B2B) and a Canadian Online Publishing Award. 

Anthea Rowe, Communication Trainer at Exmplify

Anthea Rowe is a communication coach who can help anyone explain what they do and why it matters.

A former PR professional, Anthea led corporate communications for 3M Canada and was an adjunct professor in Western University’s Master of Media in Communications. She was also a founding member of Emerging Leaders London, an organization committed to retaining and developing young leaders in business, non-profit and the arts.

As a communication coach and trainer, Anthea has helped hundreds of clients improve customer satisfaction, generate qualified leads, and increase revenue – simply by improving their business acumen and communication skills.

In addition to driving business results, professionals who participate in Anthea’s training report feeling more valued, less stressed, and equipped to make smarter decisions about how they spend their time. Within 6 months of communication training, managers were more likely to be promoted to director roles. And job-seeking professionals found satisfying new jobs with 20 to 40% pay increases.

Anthea firmly believes that improving emerging and middle managers’ business acumen and communication skills creates more value for organizations while closing the Ambition-Achievement Gap for hardworking, under-represented professionals.

Ryan Suydam, CX Architect and Client Savvy Unit Leader at ClearlyRated

Ryan Suydam co-founded Client Savvy in 2004, to help firms create fierce client loyalty by designing, implementing, and measuring client experiences. He has coached over 650 organizations and over 30,000 professionals on the skills required to be “client savvy.” His clients are twice as likely to be recommended by their clients, three times as likely to realize above-average financial returns, and consistently attract and retain better employees. Ryan also founded and emcee’s the annual CX in Professional Services conference, bringing together hundreds of CX leaders across legal, accounting, AEC, and other professional services firms. Now a part of ClearlyRated, Ryan serves as CX Architect and Client Savvy Unit Leader. Based outside Raleigh, NC, he welcomes your questions at [email protected]. 

Panel

Moderator

Greg Devine, Leader of Marketing and Business Development, Engineering Link  

As a seasoned veteran of the AEC industry, Greg has been building and maintaining meaningful relationships for more than 20 years. Greg recently joined Engineering Link, a firm that specializes in providing building envelope and structural engineering across Canada, as the Leader of Marketing and Business Development. His presentation experience includes The Buildings Show, A Community of Transportation Professionals (ITE) Annual Conference, Canadian Condominium Institute (CCI) Eastern Ontario Conference, Canadian Condominium Institute (CCI) Kingston Conference, and the SMPS Symposium. He is a Past President of SMPS Ontario. 

Panelists

Marcus Gillam, CEO, Gillam Group 

Marcus is a construction leader with over 25 years of experience delivering complex, multi-million-dollar projects. As Founder and CEO of Gillam Group, he leads company vision and oversees all project delivery. Known for his hands-on, relationship-driven approach, Marcus is recognized for building strong client partnerships and high-performing teams. 

Peter Maleganovski, Vice President, Development, Northcrest  

Peter brings more than two decades of experience in land development, including approvals, stakeholder engagement, and consultant team coordination. He has worked across both public and private sectors on complex urban and master-planned communities. 

Brian Rudy, Partner, Moriyama Teshima Architects 

Brian Rudy is a Partner at Moriyama Teshima Architects whose practice centres on civic and cultural work, adaptive reuse, large scale infrastructure, and stewardship. With three decades in the profession, he has guided projects such as the Canadian War Museum, Waterloo Region Museum, Place des Arts du Grand Sudbury, and the Gordie Howe International Bridge project. His advocacy for the Ontario Science Centre advances a regenerative approach for renewal that respects what already exists while strengthening fabric of place for future generations. Brian is a member of the Ontario Museum Association and the Canadian Association of Science Centres, an OAA architect, and an RAIC Fellow.

Irina Arsene, Director, Project Management and Site Construction, York University Development Corporation  

Irina brings extensive experience leading institutional capital projects, with a focus on disciplined delivery, stakeholder coordination, and governance within complex environments. At York University Development Corporation, she oversees major projects from planning through construction, including the recently completed Markham Campus. She has also held key roles within York University’s Energy and Facilities teams, contributing to initiatives such as the YorkW!se Energy Performance program and the Bergeron Centre for Engineering Excellence.