On August 26, the Society’s volunteer leaders and staff members held a virtual board of directors meeting. Here are a few highlights from the meeting:
What’s Happening Now:
Membership Conversation Shifts to Engagement and Belonging
The board moved beyond reviewing membership numbers to a broader conversation about how members want to engage with professional associations today. The discussion explored changing expectations around time, connection, community, and value and how SMPS can create more flexible and meaningful ways for members to belong and participate.
Better Data Is Opening New Member Insights
With new technology and data capabilities coming online, SMPS is beginning to see member engagement in ways that were not previously possible. The board explored how participation in content, education, events, and other experiences can help tell a more complete story about member engagement and ultimately inform where SMPS invests.
Amplify A|E|C Moves From Debrief to 2027 Planning
The board completed its first dedicated post-conference discussion following Amplify A|E|C, bringing board perspectives into the broader attendee and team feedback already being collected. The conversation identified opportunities across programming, networking, awards, and The Pinnacle Experience that will inform planning for Chicago 2027.
Foundation Governance Positioned for Growth
The board approved updated SMPS Foundation bylaws and articles of incorporation, including changes that strengthen trustee capacity and establish clearer leadership succession. The updates position the Foundation to support its expanding work in research, partnerships, scholarships, and industry intelligence.
The Future of CPSM Comes Into Focus
The board began a deeper examination of the CPSM credential, including policies, continuing education, the certification experience, and opportunities to ensure the program remains aligned with professional and industry needs. This work begins to put the strategic plan’s commitment to elevating CPSM into more concrete action.
What’s Happening Next:
Test New Approaches to Member Engagement
The membership discussion will move into pilots and experiments designed to explore how SMPS can strengthen belonging, provide more flexible ways to engage, and respond to changing member behaviors. Rather than assuming one model works for everyone, the focus will be on learning what creates meaningful value for different members.
Turn Engagement Data Into Decisions
As SMPS gains greater visibility into how members interact with content, education, events, and other experiences, the next step is using those insights to better understand the member journey and guide decisions about programming, engagement, and organizational investment.
Design Amplify A|E|C 2027 With the Experience in Mind
Planning for Chicago will incorporate lessons from Las Vegas earlier in the process, particularly around program scheduling, networking, and creating distinctive experiences within the larger conference.
Activate the Foundation’s Expanded Capacity
With its updated governance framework in place, the Foundation will move forward with new research and partnership opportunities while activating growing volunteer interest and creating more ways for members to participate in its work.
Develop the Next Phase of CPSM
The board’s August discussion will inform additional recommendations around CPSM policies, program experience, and future investment as SMPS continues planning for 2027.
If you have any questions regarding these matters or the Society’s board meetings, please contact Marci D. Thompson, chief executive officer of SMPS and the SMPS Foundation, at marci@smps.org.