Sales & Marketing Executives of Greater Baton Rouge (SME)

06/17/2026

📣 June SME Luncheon: Weather Update + Learning from the Best in Sales & Marketing

We’re keeping a close eye on the weather and are aware that Tropical Storm Arthur is expected to bring significant rain to Baton Rouge overnight. The good news: conditions should improve by late morning, and we anticipate things being in good shape by our 11 AM luncheon time. At this time, we DO plan to move forward with our panel luncheon as scheduled.

Join us for a dynamic and insightful luncheon featuring a panel discussion with some past Excellence Award Honorees. This is a unique opportunity to gain valuable advice, hear powerful career stories, and learn directly from some of our region’s most accomplished sales and marketing leaders.

🎤 Panelists Include:
• Greg Accardo, Director of the LSU Professional Sales Institute
• Matt Dardenne, Co-Founder & President, Red Six Media
• Marie Stagg, CTP, Global Sales Manager at Visit Baton Rouge
• Josh Teekel, General Manager, Gerry Lane Enterprises

💡 What You’ll Gain:
• Real-world insights from award-winning professionals
• Lessons learned from successful careers in sales and marketing
• Practical advice you can apply immediately

📅 Thursday, June 18, 2026
🕚 Schedule:
• 11–11:30 AM: Registration & Networking
• 11:30 AM–1 PM: Lunch & Program
📍 Location: Juban’s Restaurant, Baton Rouge

⚠️ Important Member Reminder:
SME will also hold voting for the 2026–2027 Board of Directors along with several proposed by-law changes. Members attending the June 18 luncheon will be asked to vote at that time. If you cannot attend and would like to vote, please arrange for a proxy or contact Nancy Carter at [email protected].

We look forward to seeing you there...rain or shine! 🌧️➡️☀️

06/04/2026

Thursday, June 18 at Jubans Restaurant - Get valuable advice and hear great stories from these award-winning sales & marketing professionals!

Greg Accardo, Director of the LSU Professional Sales Institute
Matt Dardenne, Co-Founder and President of Red Six Media
Marie Stagg, CTP Global Sales Manager at Visit Baton Rouge
Josh Teekel, General Manager of Gerry Lane Enterprises

Juban's Restaurant
3739 Perkins Rd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70809

11:00 -11:30 AM - Registration & Networking
11:30 - 1:00 PM - Lunch & Program

SME Members - Free | Guests - $55

Deadline to RSVP: Friday, June 12

https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/e572a989-b99a-4edb-813c-a72a24efe14b?source_id=32b684a2-f4d0-43b6-9f0a-09605321ec81&source_type=em&c=zjxynJbrwYGQKgXNXHniP9YYq3-vS6hfha1O7-UW8VGzgUAtFJA21g==&source_id=d0715e20-ffc9-4dc8-ba01-810df126723a&source_type=em&c=2mrywsi1AXKVFAKTXZWUGxF8CpeTGtH4veHcstKWxC8Xfanzw6xWqw==

06/04/2026

06/04/2026

SME held a reception at the E.J. Ourso College of Business Rotunda. SME members and guests visited with LSU Juniors and Seniors to discuss business opportunities in the GBR area.

06/02/2026

📣 June SME Luncheon: Learning from the Best in Sales & Marketing

Join us for a dynamic and insightful luncheon featuring a panel discussion with some past Excellence Award Honorees. This is a unique opportunity to gain valuable advice, hear powerful career stories and learn directly from some of our region’s most accomplished sales and marketing leaders.

🎤 Panelists Include:
• Greg Accardo, Director of the LSU Professional Sales Institute
• Matt Dardenne, Co-Founder & President, Red Six Media
• Marie Stagg, CTP, Global Sales Manager at Visit Baton Rouge
• Josh Teekel, General Manager, Gerry Lane Enterprises

💡 What You’ll Gain:
• Real-world insights from award-winning professionals
• Lessons learned from successful careers in sales and marketing
• Practical advice you can apply immediately

📅 Thursday, June 18, 2026
🕚 Schedule:
• 11-11:30 AM: Registration & Networking
• 11:30 AM-1 PM: Lunch & Program
📍 Location: Juban’s Restaurant, Baton Rouge
👥 SME Members: Free
💵 Guests: $55
⏰ Deadline to RSVP: Friday, June 12
🔗 https://tinyurl.com/32akyv9r

⚠️ Important Member Reminder:
SME will also hold voting for the 2026–2027 Board of Directors along with several proposed by-law changes. Members attending the June 18 luncheon will be asked to vote at that time. If you cannot attend and would like to vote, please arrange for a proxy or contact Nancy Carter at [email protected].

05/14/2026

📢 Now Accepting Nominations! The SME Board of Directors is now accepting nominations for the 2026–2027 term!

If you’re an SME member interested in serving and making an impact, we’d love to hear from you. Please submit your nomination by emailing SME Director Nancy Carter at [email protected] by May 31.

🗳️ Voting will take place at our June 18 Luncheon at Juban’s.
Step up, get involved and help shape the future of SME! 💼✨

05/12/2026

📣 May SME Luncheon: Storytelling That Moves People and Elevates Your Message

In a world saturated with generic, AI-driven content, the brands that stand out are the ones that create meaning and connection. Join us for a powerful luncheon session with Scott Miller, APR, Senior Director of Marketing & Communications at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, as he shares how strategic storytelling can cut through the noise and drive real engagement.

💡 What You’ll Learn:
• How to use a clear storytelling framework to evoke emotion and inspire action
• Ways to align sales, marketing and communications through consistent narratives
• How storytelling strengthens brand positioning across blogs, video, long-form content and live presentations

📍 Location: Juban’s Restaurant, Baton Rouge
🕚 Schedule:
• 11–11:30 AM: Registration & Networking
• 11:30 AM–1 PM: Lunch & Guest Speaker
👥 SME Members: Free
💵 Guests: $55
📅 Thursday, May 21, 2026
⏰ Deadline to RSVP: Friday, May 15
🔗 Register now: https://tinyurl.com/4dcnntrn

04/23/2026

Please don't forget to bring your business cards to our networking event with Marketing students at 5PM today at LSU's E. J. Ourso College of Business.

04/14/2026

✨ Network. Mentor. Make an Impact. ✨
Join us at the LSU E.J. Ourso College of Business – Department of Marketing for an evening of professional connections and career discovery! This is your opportunity to meet LSU business undergraduate students eager to network with experienced executives and managers from the Baton Rouge business community.

By attending, you’ll invest in the future of our local workforce and share your industry passion and insights with the next generation of marketing and sales talent. Be sure to bring business cards!

📅 Thursday, April 23, 2026
⏰ 5–7 PM
📍 LSU Business Education Complex (BEC), Rotunda Commons
501 South Quad Drive | Baton Rouge, LA 70803
🍴 Hors d’oeuvres and beverages provided
🚗 Free parking in the adjacent lot
💼 SME Members: Free
👥 Guests: $35

🎁 Register for door prizes at the event, including:
• 2 tickets to the LSU vs. Tulane Baseball Game (Section 219) –
Tuesday, May 5 at 6:30 PM (donated by Hancock Whitney)
• Overnight suite stay at Bally’s Baton Rouge (donated by Bally’s)
• $50 gift certificate to The Chimes
• $50 gift certificate to Walk‑On’s

Don’t miss this chance to connect, inspire and build relationships that shape the future of Baton Rouge’s business community!
🗓 RSVP Deadline: Friday, April 17
👉 Register today: https://tinyurl.com/2cr7sw9y

03/19/2026

Steve Mellor with GrowthReady held an interactive workshop during our SME luncheon today, March 19. We covered how to achieve sustainable excellence. He explained that it is less about rising to the occasion and more about ensuring we don’t fall below a consistent and intentional standard. Because, when it’s time to perform, people don’t rise to their ceiling; they fall to their floor. Attendees gave high praises to Steve for his expertise, his interactive style, and his the great take-aways. Thanks to Steve for sharing his time and talents with us!