The Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) was created in 1973 by a small group of professional services firm leaders who recognized the need to sharpen skills, pool resources, and work together to create business opportunities.  The mission of SMPS is to advocate for, educate, and connect leaders in the building industry.  Today, SMPS represents a dynamic network of 6,900+ marketing and business development professionals from architectural, engineering, planning, interior design, construction, and specialty consulting firms located throughout the United States and Canada.  The society and its 53 chapters benefit from the support of 3,250 design and building firms, encompassing 80% of the Engineering News Record Top 500 Design Firms and Top 400 Contractors.

SMPS Hawaii was started in 2007 by Cathy Handen and Michelle Skupin, with the help of an organizing committee consisting of Gail Atwater, Marcie Farias, Scott Gossett, Mark Tawara, and Howard Wolff, and through the generous contributions of Founding Sponsor companies
Belt Collins Hawaii, Peter Vincent Architects, Rider Levett Bucknall, and R.M. Towill Corporation.  The Hawaii Chapter currently has over 35 members representing various A/E/C and related companies on Oahu and Maui.

In 2009, our chapter won a first-place SMPS National Striving for Excellence (SFE) Award in the small chapter category.  The SFE Awards recognize chapters for excellence in their management and services through quality programs, increased membership, effective communications, and financial health.

Additionally, the Hawaii Chapter president at that time, Mark Tawara, won the National Chapter President of the Year (CPY) Award.  The CPY Award recognizes a president who has demonstrated excellence in leadership while serving the chapter and its members.