The Sales & Marketing Executives Association of Puerto Rico (SME) is a non-profit organization that brings together a community of more than 500 professionals from diverse industries, major corporations, and local businesses, as well as college students on the island. For the past 72 years, the association has been advancing its industry through members’ success. In their efforts to further professional development, throughout the year, they offer an educational program focused on global trends and innovation, promote networking and business opportunities among members, give prestigious awards and commission top-notch research studies.<
SME Puerto Rico’s DNA
Curiosity. anticipation. learning and innovation.
Curiosity to know what’s next, to anticipate trends, social changes, and consumer habits, as well as the continuous desire to learn and innovate are the distinctive trademark of this association. This constant search translates into its solid educational program that year after year offers the most relevant and updated content for sales, marketing, advertising, & media professionals as well as entrepreneurs.
SME Digital & Innovation Forum
Keeping ahead of the curve in digital marketing, in 2002, they organized an educational session focused on the Internet and its possibilities for marketing and eCommerce. This first step evolved into the largest and most relevant digital marketing, advertising, and innovation event in the region. Annually, more than 1,000 participants have access to world-class speakers, key findings of the Puerto Rico Digital Trends Study and learn the best practices on digital innovation through the SME Digital Awards. In 2021, they pivoted the event due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and turned it into the first Metaverse 3D event in Puerto Rico. In 2022, it returned to an in-person event with a live stream option and for the first-time participants received a POAP (Proof of Attendance Protocol/NFT) in alliance with CryptoCurious and the PRBTA.
Their yearly educational program includes other signature events such as the SME Marketing Summit with a participation of more than 650 marketing, advertising and media professionals, the SME Sales Summit celebrating, since 1966, the Sales Professional Week in Puerto Rico, as well as the SME Sales Booster, SME College Student Summit, SME Power Breakfasts, and online seminars.
Excellence every step of the way
Recognizing cutting-edge planning, execution and business results is a vital element in the SME innovation formula. And to distinguish the excellence of its members and industry, the organization rewards them with very competitive awards such as:
SME DIGITAL AWARDS
What started as the WebAd Awards in 2007 to recognize best practices in the use of the Internet, has evolved into one of the most desired and prestigious awards for local advertising, marketing, and public relations professionals. To account for the evolution of the digital industry, in 2011, the name was changed to SME Digital Awards to recognize the effective integration of digital media strategy in marketing, advertising, public relations and promotional campaigns, as well as digital business solutions.
On May 12, 2022, the Festival became the first to integrate a commemorative NFT for SME Digital Award winners.
TOP MANAGEMENT AWARDS
Since 1966, SME Puerto Rico has granted this award to more than 700 top executives who have stood out for their professional achievements, moral character, and the prestige they impart to the profession they perform. From its inception, leaders such as Teodoro Moscoso, Luis Munoz Marin, Ana G Mendez, Rafael Fabregas, Sor Isolina Ferre, Francisco Carvajal, Diego Suarez, Tommy Muniz, Edgardo Fabregas, Jackeline Bird, Richard Carrion, Manuel Cidre and Edwin Perez have been honored with this important recognition.
In the last decade, leaders and entrepreneurs such as Mariel Arraiza, Nilda Morales, Jose R Acarion, Jorge Bracero, Terestella Gonzalez Denton, Edgardo M. Rivera, Ivan Baez, Marta B, Siverio, Agnes B.Suarez, Carlos Cobian, Wanda Betancourt and Gloria Baquero joined this distinguished group.
EXCELLENCE IN MARKETING AWARDS
Since 1988, this award recognizes the best marketing strategies developed in Puerto Rico, whose effectiveness places their products and services among the first in the market. It is an integral part of the Marketing Week celebration in Puerto Rico, as it showcases through its winners the power of a strong strategy, combined with a good idea, well thought execution and most of all results that contribute to the brand’s success.
INNOVATION AS A DRIVING FORCE
SME members love to research. Why? Because it is their path to innovation. For this reason, the SME anticipates and develops the studies that will offer its members the necessary data to innovate. Learning through research that identifies those ideas, behaviors, and attitudes that one cannot rationally explain but that affect decision-making and identifies new movements that will become part of the mainstream is vital for today’s professionals.
For the past 20 years, the SME has been provoking its members to take new roads and anticipate the future by researching on:
