Ethics in Marketing - An Oxymoron?

Aug. 17, 2009 - PRLog -- Warren G. Simonds, LEED® AP, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Willis A. Smith Construction, Inc., a Sarasota based Construction Management firm, was a presenter at this year’s Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) National Conference, known as Build Business™.  Dr. Simonds conducted a presentation on Ethics in Marketing, specifically targeting professionals in the industries of architecture, engineering and construction or A/E/C. He spoke to an assemblage of 300 hundred plus A/E/C professionals. The conference took place from July 15th through the 18th at the J.W. Marriott Resorts & Club in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“Unethical practices are happening all over the county, not just in Florida,” explained Warren Simonds.  He added, “In difficult economic times we see increasing evidence of bad behavior by companies as they resort to utilizing survival tactics. Doing the ‘Right Thing’ is becoming less and less the norm.”

The Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) is a community of marketing and business development professionals working to secure profitable business relationships for their A/E/C companies. Through networking, business intelligence, and research, SMPS members gain a competitive advantage in positioning their firms successfully in the marketplace. SMPS offers members professional development, leadership opportunities, and marketing resources to advance their careers. SMPS represents a dynamic network of 7,000+ marketing and business development professionals from architectural, engineering, planning, interior design, construction, and specialty consulting firms located throughout the United States and Canada.

Willis A. Smith Construction, Inc. is a Sarasota based Construction Management firm primarily serving Southwest Florida since 1972.  As the oldest contractor firm in Sarasota, the company enjoys an excellent reputation with a solid background in commercial, industrial, educational, healthcare, museum specialty work and sustainable construction.  The company is also a member of the Florida Green Building Coalition, U.S. Green Building Council, and Sustainable Sarasota.  They now have 13 LEED Accredited Professionals (green building experts) on staff.  The firm has made great strides in asserting itself as a leader in ‘green’ construction and has been awarded several contracts based in a large part on their experience in this field. A few of their notable green projects include: Willis A. Smith Construction’s 18,000 square foot Corporate Headquarters Building at Lakewood Ranch, Schroeder-Manatee Ranch corporate offices, Ringling College of Art and Design Housing and Academic Building and The Wellness Community at Lakewood Ranch.  For additional information, contact Willis A. Smith Construction, Inc. at 941-366-3116 or via e-mail at elipoff@willissmith.com.

# # #

Willis A. Smith Construction, Inc. is based in Sarasota, Florida. Founded in 1972, Willis A. Smith Construction has provided quality planning, construction and related services to a variety of clients along Florida's West Coast for 37 years.