I looked at the President’s Message and realized I had not updated my post since after Regional. This board year has flown by. We are already well over half way through the term. Many times I have been so thankful to work with a group of professionals who are dedicated to SMPS and each other’s successes. While Houston is the 5^th largest chapter nationally, we have always blazed new trails during the last 30 years. The Houston Chapter has 38 CPSM’s or 18% of our chapter, which is above the 13% nationally. With an 82% retention rate, many of our members see the value of the SMPS community to their career. 

Our Design Awards Gala will be a wonderful celebration of our history and the members who helped get us here. Our Mistress of Ceremonies will be Nancy Egan, the first president of the Houston Chapter and also a SMPS National President and Fellow. Houston has had five National Presidents including Nancy. Here is what Nancy said about the value of SMPS to her. 

"Colleagues and clients sometimes ask why I still participate as actively as I do (when I am so obviously emeritus.)  What a question! SMPS let me learn to lead in the Houston Chapter and as national president, it has provided me platform for my ideas in the Marketer and in local and regional programs, and it has given me a close circle of friends — amazing, forever friends. There is no other single investment that I have made in my career that has had the sustained, long-term return on my time and energy.  As importantly, SMPS gave me the professional opportunity to serve something far bigger than the last project or the next assignment."

Well said Nancy! I hope you will join us in celebrating our chapter and its membership achievements.