Announcing the SMPS Pacific Regional Conference Pin Exchange!
Calling all sponsors, speakers, and PRC attendees: You’re invited to participate in this year’s PRC Pin Exchange!
If you’re unfamiliar with the tradition, allow us to explain: For more than a century, Olympic pin exchanges have served as a bridge between cultures, languages, and experiences. What began as simple identification badges in 1896 has grown into a global, highly anticipated tradition—where athletes, volunteers, journalists, and fans scour the host city asking the same universal question: “Do you have any pins?”
In the A/E/C industry, we know this truth well. Marketing and business development thrive on meaningful interaction. Our work depends on conversations sparked by curiosity, relationships strengthened through shared experiences, and insights gained simply by meeting someone new. Exchange is how we grow—and how we help our firms grow, too.
Our vision is simple: bring a pin—any pin that represents you, your firm, your city, or your personality—and get ready to trade. Your pin might be a brand moment, a conversation starter, or a tiny piece of art. Whatever it is, it’s your story. Have fun, and be creative!
It’s easy to participate:
- Assemble your team, company, roundtable, chapter or other group of PRC attendees, and get them to agree to participate. Or take on the challenge solo!
- Design a pin, or find someone who can design your pin.
- Order enough pins to exchange with others; base the quantity on your budget, and the number of pins you hope to get in return! You could bring anywhere from 5 to 500 pins - up to you! Pins can be 1” metal buttons, custom enamel pins, or anything else you find and fits in your budget.
- Bring the pins with you to PRC, and be prepared to connect and collect!
Just like at the Olympics, these pins will do what they’ve always done best: Break down barriers, spark conversations, and build connection.
At the conference, keep your pins where others can see them—on your badge, your lanyard, your bag, your jacket. Spot a pin you like? Ask for a trade. See someone admiring yours? Start a conversation. Because in a professional world driven by relationships, this playful act of exchange reminds us of a fundamental truth: connection fuels everything.
So let’s build something at PRC together—one pin at a time!
Questions?
Need ideas for where to order pins?
Not sure how to pay for the pins?
What guidelines should I follow for my pin design?
Reach out and we’re happy to help provide guidance! [email protected]
Here are some suggestions but feel free to find your own pin or button companies to work with and do your research to consider production time, add-on fees, and shipping timelines:
- PinProsPlus: https://www.pinprosplus.com/resources/pin-type-comparison
- LapelPinNow: https://www.lapelpinnow.com/
- Sticker Mule: https://www.stickermule.com/custom-buttons
- Justbuttons: https://www.justbuttons.org/custom-buttons/
Consider asking your firm or a company in your chapter to sponsor your pins, or perhaps pool your individual resources with your team. SMPS PRC will not pay for pins or reimburse those who choose to participate in the pin exchange.
We suggest pins or buttons smaller than 1.5” in diameter. Additionally, please adhere to the SMPS Code of Ethics when designing and distributing your pins. SMPS PRC is not responsible for the content of pins created by participants, however conference organizers may restrict the distribution of any pins deemed out of alignment with SMPS and SMPS PRC policies.
