SMPS’ mission is to advocate for, educate, and connect leaders in the building industry. SMPS’ vision is for premier professional service firms to recognize SMPS as their most trusted resource for building business and achieving success. SMPS was founded in 1973 by marketers as The Society of Bird-doggers, a name that refers to the task of seeking out new business opportunities. At that time, increased competition and changes in professional regulations made marketing professional services both acceptable and necessary. SMPS grew out of the need for marketers to have a place to meet and exchange ideas. Since then, the Society has grown to over 6,000 members in 58 chapters throughout the US. The New York Area Chapter serves marketing professionals in the Greater New York City Metropolitan area including Westchester, Long Island, and New Jersey. The chapter has more than 300 members from over 250 of the area’s leading AEC firms. Founded in 1984, the New York chapter is the largest in the nation.