KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Opening Keynote Presentation

In this inspiring and insightful keynote, marketing leader and speaker Damion Morris will invite conference attendees to reimagine what true teamwork looks like in today’s AEC landscape. Using the metaphor of a constellation—where each star holds its own brilliance, but only reveals its full story when connected to others—Damion weaves together research, lived experience, and a bit of sparkle to show how our greatest strength doesn’t lie in doing it all, but in aligning with our unique gifts and letting them shine alongside others.

About Damion

Damion Morris is a dynamic speaker, creative strategist, and magnetic storyteller who helps leaders, marketers, and creatives lead with clarity, communicate with depth, and show up with their full selves intact.
A master of blending strategy and soul, Damion brings a rare balance of emotional wisdom and pragmatic insight to every stage he steps on. Whether he’s keynoting a national conference or facilitating a breakthrough with a team, his presence is both energizing and grounded, infused with wit, warmth, and a deep understanding of what it means to thrive in high-performance, high-pressure spaces.


Damion currently serves as the Marketing & Communications Manager for PCL Construction’s California Buildings District—its largest and fastest-growing region, with more than $1 billion in annual revenue—where he leads best-in-class marketing strategy and award-winning teams. A CPSM and longtime contributor to SMPS at the local, regional, and national levels, he has served as past president of SMPS Los Angeles, delivered keynotes across the country, and served as program chair for 2025 Amplify AEC. He is also the co-host of the PSM Show, one of the AEC industry’s leading marketing podcasts. In 2025, he was honored with the SMPS Leonardo Award, recognizing outstanding achievement in marketing leadership and communication.


Known for his clarity, humor, and relatability, Damion’s talks resonate with those navigating the complex space between creativity and corporate life. His storytelling is honest, and his insights are actionable, offering not just inspiration but language, tools, and truths that make the message stick long after the session ends. 

Lunch Keynote Presentation

In an era of accelerating disruption, marketing and business development professionals are no longer simply supporting growth—they are driving it. This inaugural SMPS Foundation / FMI research reveals the emerging trends reshaping the way A/E/C firms communicate, compete, and connect with clients across the United States and Canada.

Through a mix of surveys and in-depth interviews with industry leaders, and analysis of transformative trends from sectors like tech, finance, and consumer marketing, this study answers critical questions: How are client expectations evolving? What strategies are helping firms win work in tighter markets? How should teams be structured for the future? And what innovations from outside the industry deserve our attention now?  In addition to the research, conference attendees will have an opportunity to weigh in on the trends, where they see their strategies aligning, where they see opportunity for innovation and where they might need a dose of truth.

About Sarah

With over 20 years of experience leading growth strategies and new market development, Sarah Kinard is the driving force behind The Flamingo Project, a research, strategy, and growth-focused firm. She specializes in research-first growth strategies, and market positioning to help AEC firms thrive.

Sarah is known for her ability to lead vision-driven strategies to uncover new revenue opportunities and develop market-entry strategies. Her expertise spans both horizontal and vertical markets working with firms ranging the AEC gamut—from small design studios, regional construction companies, to international engineering firms. With a passion for client-focused solutions, she ensures that strategy efforts align with business goals and generate measurable impact.

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