SMPS Pacific Regional Conference - Katie Spurlock Scholarship

About the Spurlock Legacy Scholarship

Katie Spurlock, a long-standing member of SMPS San Francisco, played a pivotal role in shaping the PRC programs committee during her tenure as a volunteer. Her love for the Society was undeniable, her willingness to go the extra mile unwavering, and her welcoming disposition positively impacted every person she met. Though her passing was untimely, her legacy lives on through the contributions she made to PRC. In keeping with her spirit of servant leadership, the PRC Board of Directors established the Spurlock Legacy Scholarship to honor her contributions and continue her mission of elevating the profession.

Congratulations to our 2026 Scholarship Winner!

Amanda Martindale, CPSM | Senior Proposal Manager

AKS Engineering & Forestry, LLC

PRC 2026 will mark Amanda's inaugural year as a PRC attendee. She is a member of the SMPS Oregon Chapter, and has already identified which workshops and sessions she will be attending and even developed 30-day implementation goals after her return. Congratulations Amanda!

Past Scholarship Recipients

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Kate Albee, 2025 PRC Palm Springs
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Delainey Phelps, 2024 PRC Portland
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Katie's Impact on PRC Lives On

“Katie was the epitome of a dedicated volunteer. She loved SMPS and was always willing to share her time and talents with PRC. Her efforts to recruit, refine, and cultivate quality speakers and submittal criteria for the PRC Programs Committees was on-going. Katie had a drive to make each Programs track better than the previous year and loved to share her knowledge with committee volunteers.”

– Lesley Cocores, Unico Engineering

“As I write these words, my heart aches in Katie's absence. I can't help but think of the joy and camaraderie we would have shared if she were here today. When I assumed the role of Chair for the PRC in Napa, I turned to my dear friend Katie, who volunteered with unwavering dedication. She had a unique ability to see the world through rose-colored glasses, always finding the best in every situation and person. Katie was more than an inspiration; she embodied resilience and grace. Her unwavering courage throughout her battle with cancer has left an indelible mark on my heart. Even from her hospital bed, she remained an active and passionate member of SMPS, selflessly giving her time and energy. Her spirit, determination, and boundless love are dearly missed every day.”

– Ginger Kelly, Owner, Gingers Office Hours, SMPS Pacific Board of Directors

“I can’t think of SMPS PRC without thinking of Katie. She was so intrinsic to the conference for me. Not only was she involved in many different committees, from planning to execution, but she was a shining and positive light while at the conference – from her organization skills to her contagious social attitude. Involvement in PRC was very important to Katie, and she made all my experiences at the conference even better!”

– Todd Delzer, Sr. Associate, Marketing Manager, BAR Architects & Interiors

“PRC offers SMPS members the best opportunity to expand your networking, marketing education and knowledge of AEC’s industry trends – the why behind Katie’s passion for getting involved and attending. I miss Katie’s infectious smile and energy and look forward to meeting the lucky scholarship winner.”

– Marion Thatch, FSMPS, CPCC, President, Distinction in Marketing

“Years of personal and professional exchanges with Catherine “Katie” Spurlock revealed her heart of gold. A genuine “how are you” during the dark days of COVID, an unexpected compliment on a work project, and providing exactly what was needed without request during PRC week. This was typical Katie. PRC and her role as a marketing director were a passion and she took great care of her commitments with professionalism and signature “Katie” charm -- big hugs and enthusiasm. My dear friend, we honor the positive impact you had on so many as a servant leader by continuing your legacy to serve others with the same excellence and warmth.”

– Beth Shimogawa, CPSM, Corporate Manager, Communications, Coffman Engineers, SMPS Pacific Board of Directors

“Katie’s love of community and passion for education was a constant light in SMPS, I’m happy to see her beautiful spirit live on through this scholarship.”

– Katelyn Surprenant, Sr. Business Development Specialist, Arup

“Katie asked Vanessa to follow her in the Chapter President role. Vanessa declined at first with excuses and doubts, but then…like the great marketer she was, Katie persisted, and I later accepted. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made professionally. And I have Katie to thank for that. She was an encourager. She brought out the best in everyone and she saw the positive in every situation—even in cancer. She had a smile that could light up a room and a huge heart to go with it.”

– Vanessa Yust, CPSM, Senior Director – Branding, DAHLIN

Eligibility and Requirements

To be eligible for the scholarship, you must be an active member in good standing from one of the host Pacific Regional Chapters, which consists of: Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Inland Empire, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orange County, Oregon, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, and Seattle.

The scholarship includes one member registration fee for the upcoming Pacific Regional Conference in addition to a travel stipend (a total value of $1,700).

To be considered, applicants must:

Complete an application

Submit a letter of support from their supervisor – on company letterhead, addressed to the PRC Scholarship Selection Committee and signed

Applications will be evaluated on the following criteria:

Goals (25 points): Has the application clearly stated how they will make the most of the conference experience?

Follow-Up (25 points): How will the applicant turn learning into action following the conference?

Contribution (25 points): How will the applicant demonstrate service, leadership and mentorship?

Quality of Submission (5 points): Is the application free from grammatical and spelling errors?

Supervisor Letter (5 points): Is there support for the applicant to attend PRC?

Financial Need (5 points): Will the applicant receive reimbursement or a stipend from their employer or chapter?

Why You Should Apply

Katie dedicated countless hours to ensuring the success of PRC programming — from securing top-notch speakers to creating diverse session formats that meet the learning needs of professionals at every stage of their careers. She believed in driving meaningful change and mentored others to advocate for their own professional development and the value of being a part of this special conference.

This scholarship gives you the chance to follow in Katie’s footsteps and experience the region’s premier professional development event, including:

Over 10 hours of training on industry trends, leadership skills, and technical best practices

Networking with 500+ AEC professionals

Building relationships that strengthen your career

Recognition as the scholarship recipient, providing visibility for both you and your firm

The application window is now closed. Thank you to all of our applicants interested in continuing Katie’s mission of fostering growth, connection, and excellence in our professional community.

*: PRC consists of 12 chapters that include: Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Inland Empire, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orange County, Oregon, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, and Seattle.

Note for Member Registration: Due to updates with the SMPS Member portal in August 2025, Members will be required to perform a one-time reset of their password to regain access to event registration. Please click on the ‘Forgot Username/password?’ link. Type in the email address associated with your account and hit Submit. You will then receive an email with instructions for setting your SMPS-PRC-specific password.
SMPS Pacific Regional Conference Username:

Password:

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