SMPS’ 2022 Marketing Survey showed that client experience (CX) would be the most critical marketing and business development strategy of the future, but more than five years after the data was gathered, many firms still don’t have a formal CX program in place. Henderson Engineers and Schaefer have embraced and led the charge in the industry, implementing firmwide CX initiatives. Join Barry and Ryan as they share their journeys to develop a plan and execute CX strategies.

You will gain insight into: 

Ryan Konst

Ryan has spent the last 20+ years in the AEC industry, all with Schaefer. He started out as an engineering co-op and went full-time as an engineer upon graduating from the University of Cincinnati. He moved through the engineering ranks and into a leadership position focusing primarily on strategy, planning, and revenue generation. In his current role as executive vice president for Schaefer, he is responsible for guiding the firm’s strategic growth and vision for the future. Ryan opened Schaefer’s Columbus, Ohio office in 2006 and has been a key driver of geographic expansion, brand oversight, development of a robust marketing and business development department, and a structured, formalized annual planning process. Ryan has been a member of SMPS since 2007 and served in several board positions including president of the Columbus Chapter.

Barry Sutherland

After nearly 14 years on the architecture and construction sides of the AEC industry with HOK and McCarthy Building Companies, Barry Sutherland joined Henderson Engineers, a 1,000-person, national building systems design firm based in Kansas City, as the client experience director in October 2019. In his position, Sutherland uses his extensive marketing and business development experience to strengthen relationships with clients firmwide and in markets from coast to coast. He does this through the development and implementation of a robust Client Experience program aimed at making Henderson the industry-leader in this area. Sutherland has been a member of SMPS since he joined the industry in 2008 and has served in leadership roles for the St. Louis and Kansas City chapters, including president for St. Louis.

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Presenting Sponsor - SGA Design Group

Lunch Sponsor - DT Specialized Services, Inc.

Interested in sponsoring this event? Reach out to Hannah Humphrey: [email protected]