The year was 2003, the location was Fort Worth, Texas, and the reason I was there was to attend my first ever Southern Regional Conference. I suppose you could say that is where I fell hopelessly in love with SMPS…and Doug Parker! The love affair had officially begun.

Little did I know then that this affaire de coeur would later lead me to serve as the Southern Regional Conference’s 2008 programs chair, the 2009 co-chair, and the 2010 treasurer. How blessed was I to learn from and be surrounded by so many genuine, talented and incredible marketing professionals! Attending the Southern Regional Conference is much like attending a family reunion. One of the Southern Region’s greatest assets is their welcoming arms…once you attend, you are forever known as family.

The outstanding keynotes, sessions, and networking events offered at SRC are in a class of their own. I have learned more A/E/C ‘tricks of the trade’ than I ever thought possible and made so many amazing friendships along the way. Relationship building is the foundation of what marketing and business development is all about. The network that I have gained in the eight years that I have attended this conference has been priceless to both my professional and personal growth.

This year we celebrate our 10^th anniversary, how spectacular is that! Congratulations SRC on ten years of success…I know an even bigger and brighter future awaits us. I hope that you plan to be a part of it as I look forward to learning, networking and celebrating with each and every one of you in San Antonio and in the years to come.

Jana J. Monforte has been part of the A/E/C industry for over 19 years and a proud member of SMPS since 2000. She is an Associate at Wallace Engineering, a structural and civil engineering consulting firm headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Jana is a past president of SMPS Oklahoma, a past co-chair of SRC and is currently serving on the 2011-2012 Chapter President of the Year/Striving for Excellence National Committee.

My first Southern Regional Conference was in Fort Worth in 2003, the second year it was held.  It was a fabulous event, but was going through the growing pains that all new ventures go through.  I remember bringing drinks in and icing them down in Dana Duran’s bathtub (Dana was chair that year).  I remember Dana and Scott Milder huddled up in the corner of her room, adding up invoices and filling out depos it slips because they’d used their credit cards to secure things.  I remember the haze (and the aroma) in downtown Fort Worth because of the Saturday morning cattle parade kicking off the rodeo.

Most of all, I remember how much I enjoyed meeting other AEC marketing folks in our region and how I much looked forward to the following year.

Fast forward to 2012.  SRC is a thriving regional conference that still provides unparalleled educational opportunities.  The conference has been able to become financially secure, providing scholarships back to member chapters to help them send people to attend.  I believe that SRC’s committee structure and financial approach is second to none, and it has become a model for other regions.  It makes me so proud to see where it is today.

And, still, what I love best and look forward to the most is the people.

Many of the friendships forged in Fort Worth are still strong today, still the people I look forward seeing again.  And in the years since, I’ve made other remarkable friendships, and met and worked with some of the most amazing people I’ve ever known.  The great programs, keynotes and receptions are just icing on the cake.

Writing this makes me excited for SRC 2012.  See you there.

Brad Thurman, P.E., FSMPS, CPSM is a principal and CMO of Wallace Engineering.  He is a past president of SMPS Oklahoma, a past co-chair of SRC and is currently serving as At-Large Delegate on the SMPS National Board.

Texas may be the Lone Star State, but I found many stars in the southern region. SMPS stars, that is.

My first trip to Texas—to Austin to present at the 2010 Southern Regional Conference–was also my first time at SRC.

As soon as I entered the opening networking reception, I witnessed that “southern hospitality” is alive and well. I immediately felt at ease and heartily welcomed by all the conference planners and attendees.

I had the good fortune to speak at the 2011 SRC in Houston as well. At both conferences, as a presenter, I was blown away at how well the conference was organized. The planning committee was exceptional at plannin g all of the details and took great care of all of the speakers (did I mention southern hospitality?).

As an attendee, all of the sessions and keynotes I attended were top notch, with information and inspiration I could take back and implement at my firm.

And, the Southern Region folks are an absolute BLAST! I treasure the memories and friendships gained at the 2010 and 2011 conferences.

Knowing that I’ll be headed to Texas for a third time to attend the 10^th SRC in San Antonio makes me want to do a happy dance. Hey, who knows how to two-step?

Holly Bolton, CPSM is director of marketing at structural engineering firm CE Solutions in Indianapolis. She is a past SMPS Indiana president and Chapter Delegate for the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 national SMPS board of directors.