SMPS Chesapeake Chapter will be collecting new, unwrapped toys, school supplies, books, and travel size toiletries for PAL. Donations will be collected at all SMPS events or at individual offices through Wednesday, December 10, 2008.

Check out our additional events here.

Happy Holidays!
Wow, I can’t believe it’s that time of year again! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. During the long weekend I was reflecting on what I was thankful for. Of course I’m thankful for my family, friends and health, but I’m also thankful for being part of this great organization. Personally, I know that now more than ever—in these trying economic times—I’m relying on the help and advice from my SMPS colleagues.

I am thankful that the Chapter is off to a strong start financially, and with our education sessions and programs. We started the year off with Soiree Green: An Autumnal Eco-Nox. For those of you that could not attend, it was a great opportunity to network and learn about the staying power of sustainability in our industry. Be sure to check out the video of the event on our website under the Newsletter/Highlights section. We just recently held our third Marketing Bootcamp with great success, and a large crowd turned out for our Procurement Officer Round-up. Ree and Todd are off to a fantastic start and the second half of the program year promises to be even better!

The Board has made some programming adjustments given the economic climate. Our first education session of the new year will be a webinar focusing on “Marketing in a Down Economy” and in February Anirban Basu will return to speak on the economic forecast of the region under the new presidential administration.

I am also thankful that the Chapter is in a position to give back to the community. For the tenth year in a row we are collecting toys to give to the children of the Baltimore City Police Athletic League. This is a worthwhile cause and I encourage everyone to make a donation. For more information, please visit the Special Events section of our website or contact Stephanie VanDyke at 410.579.8100.

Lastly, I’m thankful for all the Board and Committee Members that keep this organization moving. We have accomplished quite a bit in four short months and we still have a lot to do to keep this beast running smoothly. So, here is where I will give my usual plug for involvement and support. Now, more than ever, we are in dire need of volunteers for Board and Committee positions. At the end of this program year a few Board Members will be moving on to other endeavors. I would love to find people now to take their place and be mentored before filling the position next year. Specifically, I’m hoping to find 3-4 people to share the Event Logistics responsibilities. Without this Chair/Committee there will not be a program next year. I also need someone to chair this year’s Special Events Committee. All the hard work is done; the events have already been planned so we need someone to keep the events moving along. We are also looking for committee members to serve on the Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference Committee. The conference is coming to Baltimore in 2010 and it’s never too early to start planning. If you would like more information on any of these commitments, please contact me.

I hope each of you have a wonderful holiday and a happy new year! I look forward to seeing you in 2009!

Cheers!