Scholarship Nominations

Have any questions on scholarships offered by SMPS St. Louis?

Contact Past-President, Julia Pluff, F.SAME at [email protected]

Annual Chapter Scholarships

In keeping with the SMPS mission to advocate for, educate, and connect leaders in the building industry, SMPS St. Louis is proud to offer a variety of financial assistance programs. 

Member scholarships for events include:

Prospective and lapsed member scholarships include:

Questions? Contact SMPS St. Louis' Past-President, Julia Pluff, F.SAME  

Hear from our past winners by visiting our blog.

Applications

Conference applications are due by the deadline(s) listed below and must be submitted via webform through StarChapter.

Application deadlines are:  

  • MVRC Conference scholarship applications are due Monday, January 26, 2026.

  • Amplify A|E|C Conference scholarship applications are due Friday, June 12, 2026.

  • The Pinnacle Experience Conference applications are due Friday, June 12, 2026.

Detailed information regarding application requirements are available here. Incomplete and/or non-compliant applications will be disqualified.

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION DETAILS

MEMBERS ONLY - SUBMIT CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

Eligible Conferences

Missouri Valley Regional Conference

Covers the full conference registration fee (value up to $450)
Deadline: Monday, January 26, 2026

This bi-annual regional conference focused on providing professional development opportunities for business development and marketing professionals in the A/E/C industries. The Missouri Valley Regional Conference (MVRC) targets marketing and business development professionals at all levels of their careers from entry-level to principals. Through dynamic networking and educational programs, 125+ attendees will learn successful practices and will be inspired to deliver superior results for their firms.

MVRC takes place April 8-10, 2026 in Northwest Arkansas.

The scholarship applicant must meet the following criteria:

  • Current SMPS St. Louis Member in good standing with at least one year of continuous membership in SMPS

  • If you meet the above criteria but have already registered for the conference, you are still eligible for the scholarship.

  • Submit a completed application using the links near the top of the page.

Past Recipients

Amplify A|E|C Conference

Covers the full conference registration fee (value up to $1,349)
Deadline: June 12, 2026

Hosted by the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS), Amplify A|E|C is the premier marketing, business development, and leadership conference for design and building industry professionals. This conference offers enhanced learning and networking experiences designed to amplify knowledge and skills, careers, leadership capabilities, and opportunities for professionals and their firms. As a participant, you will experience your choice of micro learning formats and immersive workshops, exclusive access to thought leaders, never-before-seen breakout sessions, provocative keynote speakers, and plenty of networking to make priceless business contacts. 

Amplify A|E|C| takes place July 27-29, 2026 in Las Vegas, NV.
 

The scholarship applicant must meet the following criteria:

  • Current SMPS St. Louis Member

  • Member in good standing with one year of continuous membership in SMPS

  • Marketer, Business Developer, or Technical Professional

  • If you meet the above criteria but have already registered for the conference, you are still eligible for the scholarship.

  • Submit a completed application using the links near the top of the page.

Past Recipients

The Pinnacle Experience

Covers the full conference registration fee (value up to $2,049)
Deadline: Friday, June 12, 2026

Markets are volatile. Clients are uncertain. New challenges abound. Everything about the marketer’s role seems to be in flux. The old ways of marketing may be gone. But A/E/C marketers thrive on transformation and change. The Pinnacle Experience, a thought-provoking learning and networking opportunity for senior marketing leaders allows members to collaborate, network, and exchange ideas.

In 2026, SMPS will pilot hosting The Pinnacle Experience as an exclusive, elevated conference at Amplify A|E|C, designed for experienced leaders ready to explore what’s next in the AEC industry. By taking place during Amplify A|E|C, Pinnacle attendees will gain the best of both worlds: a focused, senior-level learning experience combined with access to the broader Amplify community—creating more opportunities for connection, collaboration, and shared insight across every level of the profession.

The Pinnacle Experience takes place July 27-29, 2026 in Las Vegas, NV.

The scholarship applicant must meet the following criteria:

  • Current SMPS St. Louis Member in good standing with at least one year of continuous membership in SMPS
  • Senior Marketing or Business Development Leader or 10+ years of experience 

  • If you meet the above criteria, but have already registered for the conference, you are still eligible for the scholarship.

  • Submit a completed application using the links near the top of the page.

Past Recipient

CPSM Certification Reimbursement  

Valued at $275

Deadline: Available year-round. Reimbursement funds are available on a limited first come, first served annual basis.

Are you an SMPS St. Louis Member looking to expand your knowledge base? If so, consider pursuing certification. Being a Certified Professional Services Marketer (CPSM) means that you have met a rigorous standard of experience and expertise in marketing professional services. For some, that equates to career advancement or increased compensation and benefits. For everyone, this personal investment enhances your opportunity for professional success.

The $275 reimbursement covers a one-time exam fee upon passing the exam. SMPS St. Louis members are eligible. Upon passing, contact SMPS St. Louis' Past President (contact information provided at the top of this page) to begin the reimbursement process. 

Professional Development Scholarship

Valued at $399

Deadline: July 1, 2026

SMPS, at a local and national level, is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming organization.  We are broadening our efforts through partnerships, focused programming and building a diverse membership.  To continue to cultivate the SMPS network,  SMPS St. Louis is offering to pay for one year’s membership dues to SMPS National for up to two (2) applicants.  Our goal is to help keep our entire community connected and networking while helping your company save.

  • (1) scholarship will be dedicated to a non-member belonging to a firm certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE), Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), or Persons with Disability Business Enterprise (PBE)   

  • (1) scholarship will be dedicated to any non-member

Explore the benefits SMPS has to offer marketing professionals, business development specialists and firm leaders in the A/E/C industry by clicking here. 

Application Eligibility and Process

  • SMPS St. Louis non-members are eligible to win this scholarship.

  • Previous winners are ineligible for two (2) years, then may apply again.

  • Blind evaluation process.

Tell us in 500 characters or less how an SMPS membership can help you achieve your career goals. Prospective and lapsed members are welcome to enter.

professional development SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

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