January Luncheon: Economic Engines - Air Transportation Developments in Central Texas

With approximately 300 airports open to the public, Texas' general aviation airport system is one of the largest in the nation and is expected to grow. These airports perform an essential role in the economic and social development of Texas. A panel representing private and public organizations will discuss aviation trends affecting airport development, the demand for new and renovated aviation facilities, public financing for capital improvements, and aviation’s impact on commercial developments in the region.

Panel:
Scott Gallagher
Director, Programming and Planning for the Aviation Division for TxDOT

Shane Harbinson
Assistant Director-Aviation Department at the City of Austin
*additional panel members and moderator TBA

THE DISCOUNTED PRICE ENDS AFTER WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5TH!

When: Tuesday, January 11, 2011 11:30 AM -1:00 PM

Where: University of Texas Club - President's Room
2108 E. Robert Dedman Drive, Austin, TX 78712

Event Registration Fee:
Member $35.00 for a limited time
( $45.00 original price)

Non-Member $45.00 for a limited time
( $55.00 original price)

Register here.

SMPS Presidents Quarterly Report

We started this year off with a bang! With so many new initiatives getting underway, the first 3 months of the SMPS year have flown by.

The new sponsorship levels we introduced this year have been met with great enthusiasm. We have sold two of the three available platinum sponsorships and have only one annual education sponsorship left. Thanks to our new Platinum Sponsors, Raba Kistner and RS&H and our new Educational Sponsor, IMS, for scooping up these new sponsorship opportunities and helping us to keep bringing quality programs and opportunities to our membership.

The Mentoring Program has also gained steam and moved forward. The application and outline will be sent out in the next week to the group that expressed an interest after the initial “call for mentors and protégés.” These applications, along with the results from the “speed matching” event that will be held in December will enable the committee to appropriately pair up protégés with mentors so that they start off 2011 with a plan to meet their new year’s resolution to improve their marketing/BD skills!

We have also been busy with our First Annual Communications Awards. The Call for Entries went out and we received nine responses. And the winner is … We’ll find out at the awards ceremony which will be held during our Annual Holiday Networking Luncheon on December 14th. The luncheon will be held at Carmelo’s this year. I hope you will all come out to congratulate the winners, mingle with the judges and network with your fellow SMPSers.

With the holiday season upon us, I've started to reflect on all I have to be thankful for, and the stresses of work, family and the holiday season are all diminished by the realization that although these things are sometimes hard to balance, I am blessed to have each one. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and I’ll see you at an SMPS event soon!

~Erika Passailaigue