SMPS invites our members to an exclusive holiday luncheon on Tuesday, December 8 at Carmelo's. This lunch is an opportunity to get together to celebrate the holidays and network with other members. The event is free for SMPS Austin members.

During the Holiday Luncheon, we will take a collection of toys to donate to Operation Blue Santa, a non-profit outreach program run by the Austin Police Department. Bring a new, unwrapped toy with you to the luncheon and you’ll receive a special SMPS tumbler cup!

CLICK HERE for more information. 

SMPS Austin is proud to announce the upcoming Black + White Bash! This fabulous event will combine our annual communications awards with a festive cocktail party, hosted on January 21. The party is open to members and non-members and gives attendees a unique opportunity to network over cocktails and acknowledge the great work our members do throughout the year. We encourage attendance by marketing teams, firm leadership, friends, colleagues, and significant others to help celebrate.

Tickets are on sale now!

CLICK HERE for more information on the event. 

COMMUNICATIONS AWARDS
SMPS is now accepting submissions for the 6th Annual Communications Awards. The awards will be presented during the Black + White Bash on January 21.

Communication Awards categories include:

• Brochure
• Holiday piece
• Newsletter
• Website
• Special event
• Social media

Communication Awards Judges:

• Jeff Kaufmann, Texas General Land Office
• Clint Huff, EPIC Project Management
• Heather Ladage, Austin Business Journal
• Patricia Buchholtz, lookthinkmake
• Sean Thompson, lookthinkmake

CLICK HERE to submit today! Deadline to submit is December 16.

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS - NEW!
SMPS Austin is proud to announce two new individual awards that allow SMPS Austin to recognize and honor outstanding colleagues who are making an impact on the AEC industry in Austin. We invite you to nominate your co-workers and colleagues for these exceptional recognitions. The awardees will be honored at the SMPS Austin Black + White Bash on January 21. Finalists will be notified and announced in advance.

Individual Awards Categories:

• Community service
• Leadership

CLICK HERE to nominate today! Deadline is December 16.

BETH SIMS
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

Firm: dwg. landscape architecture
Title:  Marketing Lead
Brief description of your firm: dwg. is an award-winning landscape architecture firm recognized nationally for forward-thinking concepts, meaningful relationships and multi-faceted urban design expertise. We are leaders in innovative and sustainable design and are passionate about attention to detail and collaboration.

Years as an SMPS member: 6 years

Where are you originally from?
I’m an Austin, Texas native, born and raised! Everyone calls me a unicorn when I tell them that.

What is your perfect weekend?
A perfect weekend for me is a well-balanced blend of activity and relaxation. For me, this would include: quality time socializing with friends, plenty of time spent outside, baking up a new recipe, a nice long run, Sunday morning yoga and at least one morning sleeping past 7am.

What is the best vacation you have been on?
My boyfriend and I spent two weeks in Argentina last fall. It was incredible! We traveled all around the country and got to experience everything from big cities to rainforests to oceans to glaciers to mountains to deserts. We hiked, sailed, went fishing, drove four-wheelers, saw amazing waterfalls, practiced Spanish and soaked up Argentina’s lovely culture. It’s a beautiful country with friendly people and delicious wine and food. Plus I found an Argentine cookie recipe, which is now one of my favorites to bake! 

What are your hobbies?
Baking, traveling, running, yoga… is happy hour a hobby??

SMPS Austin's sold out October luncheon featured Russ Wallace and Peter Schmid, Executive Director and Assistant Director, respectively, of Facilities, Planning and Construction for the Texas A&M University System. The presentation highlighted the University's 2016 Capital Plan and thoroughly outlined the system's upcoming projects. The speakers also discussed preferred delivery methods and tips for a successful RFQ submittal with the system. 

Thanks to our gold sponsors, Page/, Pape Dawson, and EEA as well as our program sponsors, Shah Smith, GarzaBury, CNG, HTS, and PGAL. 

CLICK HERE to see all photos from the event. 

The 2016 SMPS Southern Regional Conference is approaching and registration is open now! The conference will feature four great tracks of educational programming, keynote speakers, a Thursday evening event, welcome reception, and much more at the new boutique hotel, Hotel Van Zandt.

The early bird discount ends on November 30. Register HERE now!

Want the chance to attend the conference for free? SMPS Austin is holding a contest to award one complimentary registration to a lucky winner. Download the application HERE.

Both members and non-members are eligible. Please return applications to Marisa Jarmon by November 30. (If you've already registered for the conference or plan to do so by the early bird deadline, you will be refunded if you win the contest.)

The winner will be announced at the Holiday Luncheon. Good luck!

Name of project: Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau
Location: Austin, Texas
Contractor: Trimbuilt Construction, Inc.
Architect: Runa Workshop
Interior Designer: Runa Workshop & Angela VanDeWalle
MEP Engineer: Bay & Associates

The Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) is the home to some of Austin’s biggest fans. Their mission is to market Austin nationally and internationally as a premier business and leisure destination to enrich our community’s overall quality of life. They do this by promoting all of the things in Austin that people are already talking about to ensure that people know all about Austin’s one-of-a-kind culture and universal appeal. As such, their office had to reflect some of the uniqueness that Austin has to offer. The richness of the natural finishes mixed in with the eclectic artwork and beautiful views from a downtown location made this space the perfect reflection of Austin for ACVB.

Volumetric elements create a grand entry sequence with contrasting textures and elevations. The wood element connects the two conference rooms and defines the pre-function lounge space, while the black portal delineates the boundaries between public and employee area. Pops of color and graphics are placed throughout work spaces to define areas of collaboration and informal meeting spaces. The curated graphics by Runa Workshop reflect aspects related to the core departments of the ACVB offices: music, convention, and film. The graphic at the entry is an abstract city plan, with the colors representing music venues across the city. The large blue skyline leading to the work area reflects the growth of the city, and the work area graphic pays tribute to Austin film.

Help the SMPS Austin chapter welcome our newest members!

Tom Kolko, PE
Fugro Consultants, Inc.

Kelly Maxwell
Sabre Commercial