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VOLUME 45 | ISSUE 6 | NOV/DEC 2025
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2026 Editorial Calendar

The Editorial Committee selected six action-oriented themes for 2026.

These themes allow for broad interpretation while setting the stage for discussion around the work that will move our industry and its growth professionals forward. The themes are tied to the emerging trends and top industry challenges featured in the SMPS Foundation’s latest research. Emerging Trends in AEC Marketing and Building Resilience.
January-February
Theme: Discern
Reserved for humans, discernment is the ability to perceive and distinguish nuance. Discernment is needed when evaluating the big picture and making decisions about daily activities. Using discernment helps us identify opportunities and threats and make smart predictions about how they could impact our industry, markets, firms, and jobs.
Article Pitches Due: January 6, 2026
Article Drafts Due: January 20, 2026
MARCH-APRIL
Amplify AEC Issue
Theme: Prioritize
Prioritization is a critical action step at key workflow points for all AEC marketing and business development roles. The volume of information, tasks, and decisions we each face daily requires us to prioritize the sequence of actions that will have the optimal impact in meeting our team’s and client’s objectives.
Article Pitches Due: March 3, 2026
Article Drafts Due: Mar 17, 2026
MAY-JUNE
Theme: Integrate
Integration sets a baseline for an optimal dynamic within our firms — between roles, divisions, and geographic locations. Multidisciplinary teams integrate and synthesize knowledge and action to smoothly execute complex projects. Integration occurs when firms align themselves with client project goals and long-term strategic objectives. Key project delivery methods are based on integration.
Article Pitches Due: May 5, 2026
Article Drafts Due: May 19, 2026
JULY-AUGUST
Theme: Engage
Engaging clients and prospects in meaningful content and conversations that open the door to opportunity is one of our core responsibilities as AEC marketers and business developers. We also strive to foster cultures that facilitate collaboration across the board. Our teams engage stakeholders, communities, and end-users throughout project life cycles. Engagement is a necessary first step to influencing teams and leadership.
Article Pitches Due: July 6, 2026
Article Drafts Due: July 20, 2026
SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER
Awards Issue
Theme: Leverage
Leverage is about knowing how to best use available resources, knowledge, and relationships to advance our team’s, firm’s, and client’s objectives. Leverage means getting a leg up by using discernment and collaboration to stay competitive. AEC marketers and business developers have become adept at leveraging technology to supplement their team’s skills and advance research and strategic planning.
Article Pitches Due: September 8, 2026
Article Drafts Due: September 22, 2026
NOVEMBER-DECEMBER
Theme: Advance
Advancement encompasses the strategy and actions needed to move our profession, firms’, and clients’ objectives forward. AEC marketers and business development professionals advance through their careers by leveraging SMPS resources, knowledge, and relationships. Our industry’s leaders and idealists strive to advance the quality of our built environment through the careful use of materials, attention to context, and commitment to creating spaces for communities to thrive.
Article Pitches Due: November 3, 2026
Article Drafts Due: November 17, 2026

Call For Submissions

Submit your article ideas to marketer@smps.org. We always seek content that advances thought leadership in the AEC industries. The Marketer relies on your voice, perspective, and experience to deliver excellent, insightful, and educational content to over 7,000 SMPS members.