Sales Marketing Executives, Incorporated Of Sioux Falls

What Sales Marketing Executives, Incorporated Of Sioux Falls does

Sales and Marketing Executives, Inc. of Sioux Falls (SME Sioux Falls) is a South Dakota–incorporated nonprofit professional membership association founded in June 1959, originally as the Sioux Falls Sales Executives Club. The organization serves entrepreneurs, business owners, and senior sales, marketing, leadership, and people-development professionals primarily in the Sioux Falls region, and operates a second, distance-restricted Virtual Membership tier for professionals living more than 50 miles from Sioux Falls. Its core product is structured membership access — annual dues of $559 for in-person or $249 for virtual members — combined with monthly keynote-driven meetings, a curated member directory, committee participation, and a portfolio of signature events.

SME monetizes through four primary revenue streams: recurring membership dues, event ticket sales (the annual Women in Business event, the Sioux Falls Leadership Summit launched in 2021, Golf JAM, and recurring Insider events), vendor booth rentals at the Women in Business Trade Fair ($300 per booth), and corporate sponsorships from regional enterprises such as Sanford Health, Avera Health, First PREMIER Bank, MIDCO, Pinnacle Productions, and KELOLAND Media. The organization holds federally registered trademarks on "SME Women in Business®" (running since 1980) and "SME Excellence Awards®" (since 1987), and operates SME 101 orientation, the Women of Excellence Awards, the Young Women of Excellence Scholarship, and the Rising in Excellence Award as adjacent programs.

Distribution is community-led: the Connections Committee drives referrals, monthly Board reviews approve new member applications, and programming is delivered through the organization's WordPress website (designed by HenkinSchultz Creative Services), a Facebook page, email newsletters, Eventbrite/3eEncore ticketing, and calendar syndication across Google, iCalendar, and Outlook. The organization became independent of Sales and Marketing Executives International in 2006 and is currently led by Executive Director Kacey McCarthy and a 2026-2027 Board of Directors under President Mark Schlueter.

Name

Sales Marketing Executives, Incorporated Of Sioux Falls

Legal name

Sales & Marketing Executives, Inc. of Sioux Falls

Website

https://smesiouxfalls.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Sales and Marketing Executives, Inc. of Sioux Falls is a nonprofit professional membership association founded in 1959 that provides networking, monthly keynote programming, signature events, and recognition awards to entrepreneurs and senior sales, marketing, and leadership professionals in the Sioux Falls region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Networking

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTHAHABAD

Professional & Certification Expos Organizers

Travel & Hospitality/MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions)/Exhibition & Trade Show Organizers

SECONDARYBPAFAGAD

Trade Shows & Exhibitions (Booths, Show Management)

Business & Public Services/Marketing, Advertising & PR Services/Experiential & Event Marketing

Keywords

• Professional association networking
• Executive membership organization
• Leadership development events
• Business networking services
• Sales marketing association

Headquarters

HQ city

Sioux Falls

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. In-Person Membership Dues: Annual membership dues of $559 cover one year from the month of application. Includes meals and speaker costs for monthly membership meetings, access to events, networking, and member directory.
2. Virtual Membership Dues: Introductory annual virtual membership priced at $249 for the first year, targeting professionals living more than 50 miles from Sioux Falls. Includes live-streamed monthly keynotes, on-demand recordings, Slack group access, and member directory.
3. Event Ticket Sales: Revenue generated from ticketed events including the annual Women in Business event, Sioux Falls Leadership Summit, Golf JAM, and monthly Insider events. Members receive discounted ticket prices (e.g., $75 Leadership Summit ticket for virtual members).
4. Trade Fair Vendor Fees: The Women in Business afternoon showcase features 65+ vendors renting booth spaces at $300 each (with additional charges for electricity and extra tables).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Sales and Marketing Executives, Inc. of Sioux Falls is a non-profit professional membership association that provides monthly keynote meetings, networking events, leadership development programming, and signature annual events for sales, marketing, business owners, and leadership professionals in the Sioux Falls region. The organization sells in-person annual memberships at $559 and introductory virtual memberships at $249, and operates the SME Women in Business event, the Sioux Falls Leadership Summit, the SME Golf event, and a portfolio of recognition awards.

Product overview

Sales and Marketing Executives, Inc. of Sioux Falls (SME) is a professional membership organization offering a unified portfolio of membership services, signature events, and recognition programs. The core offering is SME Membership (in-person and virtual tiers), providing access to monthly meetings with keynote speakers, professional development, and networking. Signature events include the annual Sioux Falls Leadership Summit and SME Women In Business event. Additional offerings encompass the SME Golf Event, SME 101 orientation program, and regular SME Insider networking events. The organization also administers multiple awards including the SME Excellence Awards, Women of Excellence Awards, Young Women of Excellence Scholarship, and Rising in Excellence Award to recognize outstanding sales and marketing professionals in the community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SME Membership (In-Person) Annual in-person professional membership for entrepreneurs, business owners, and leaders in sales, marketing, leadership, or people development roles in the Sioux Falls area, providing access to monthly membership meetings with keynote speakers, networking events, committee participation, the SME membership directory, and SME 101 orientation. Membership requires Board of Directors approval and is priced at $559/year.
• Virtual Membership

Quantifiable outcome

• Signature SME Women in Business event has been running annually since 1980 (over 45 years), featuring nationally recognized keynote speakers
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Sales and Marketing Executives International (SMEI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 July 1963SME of Sioux Falls united with Sales and Marketing Executives International (SMEI) on July 16, 1963, becoming an integral part of a broader international network. During this affiliation, the organization consistently won international awards including the Annual President's Award, Retention Award, Raymond Bill All State Award, Membership Growth Award, and Operation Excellence Awards. In 2006, SME became officially independent of SME International and retained the rights to its trademarked brand names.
• First PREMIER Bank / PREMIER BankcardmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor of the 2026 Sioux Falls Leadership Summit. First PREMIER Bank has been a consistent sponsor of SME monthly meetings and signature events, hosting speakers at their business for staff presentations and providing tables for guests.
• Sanford HealthmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor of the 2026 Women in Business event and historical sponsor of SME monthly meetings. Sanford Health has been a longstanding supporter of SME programming.
• Avera HealthmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver sponsor of the 2026 Women in Business event and past sponsor of monthly SME meetings. Avera's support enables SME to bring in quality speakers.
• MIDCOmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollective Voice sponsor of the 2026 Women in Business event. Historical sponsor of SME monthly meetings and virtual events.
• Pinnacle ProductionscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerProduction sponsor for both the 2026 Women in Business event and 2026 Sioux Falls Leadership Summit. Also produced SME's promotional video.
• KELOLAND Media GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia sponsor for the 2026 Women in Business event, providing media coverage and promotion for the event and SME organization.
• Kelley Gallery (Furniture Mart)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the Zen Zone experience space at the 2026 Women in Business event, providing furniture for a relaxation lounge.
• WealthSage Advisors of Raymond JamesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the Networking Social (4:00–5:00 PM) at the 2026 Women in Business event.
• Maximizing ExcellenceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver sponsor of the 2026 Sioux Falls Leadership Summit.
• Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South DakotaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPhotobooth sponsor of the 2026 Sioux Falls Leadership Summit. Also a Gold-level past sponsor of Women in Business events.
• MarketBeatminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBronze sponsor of the 2026 Sioux Falls Leadership Summit.
• Holmes MurphyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Table Sponsor of the 2026 Sioux Falls Leadership Summit. Also represents SME through board member Lori Clausen.
• Lloyd CompaniesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Table Sponsor of the 2026 Sioux Falls Leadership Summit. Marisa Foster serves as 2026 Co-Chair of the Summit committee.
• Scooter's CoffeeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Table Sponsor of the 2026 Sioux Falls Leadership Summit.
• South Dakota State UniversityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Table Sponsor of the 2026 Sioux Falls Leadership Summit.
• Stein Sign DisplayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Table Sponsor of the 2026 Sioux Falls Leadership Summit.
• StewartminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Table Sponsor of the 2026 Sioux Falls Leadership Summit.
• Volunteers of America, DakotasminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Table Sponsor of the 2026 Sioux Falls Leadership Summit. Elly Heckel chairs the SME Volunteer Committee.
• Cortrust BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Table Sponsor of the 2026 Sioux Falls Leadership Summit.
• SDPB FriendsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Table Sponsor of the 2026 Sioux Falls Leadership Summit.
• Town Square Sioux FallsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia sponsor of the 2026 Sioux Falls Leadership Summit.
• John C. Maxwell TeammajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTim Novak, Executive Director of The John Maxwell Team, presented at the November 2021 SME membership meeting on becoming a world-class sales leader. John C. Maxwell served as the keynote speaker at the inaugural 2021 Sioux Falls Leadership Summit.
• FranklinCoveyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJeff Stott from FranklinCovey presented at the September 2021 SME membership meeting on 'Finding the Intersection of Trust and Value.' Leena Rinne from FranklinCovey led sessions at the 2021 virtual Women in Business event.
• The 7 MindsetsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTeresa Lewis, certified coach and speaker with The 7 Mindsets, presented at the April 2022 SME membership meeting on 'The 7 Mindsets: A Life Changing Revolution.'
• Augustana UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWillette Capers, Assistant Dean of Students for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Augustana University, presented at the October 2021 SME membership meeting on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Dr. Brene Brown (Levav Leadership Consulting)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMelissa Hiatt, trained and certified by Dr. Brene Brown to facilitate 'Dare to Lead,' 'Daring Greatly,' and 'Rising Strong' training, presented at the February 2022 SME membership meeting on 'Rumbling with Vulnerability.'

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• EO (Entrepreneurs' Organization): Global membership community for entrepreneurs offering peer learning, events, and leadership development. Comparable target persona (founders/business owners) and event-driven revenue model (forums, summit, conferences).
• 1 Million Cups: Free, founder-led program of the Kauffman Foundation operating through local community chapters. Compares to SME on its community-organizing GTM and entrepreneurship/leadership audience, though it is free and digital-first.
• National Association of Sales Professionals (NASP): National sales-focused membership organization providing training, certification, and networking. Overlaps in target persona (sales executives) and event-driven GTM, though it operates nationally rather than regionally.
• BNI (Business Network International): Global business networking organization with local chapters that monetize referral-driven networking through membership dues. Operates a similar community-led, chapter-based GTM model targeting business owners and sales leaders.
• YPO (Young Presidents' Organization): Premium peer network for chief executives and business leaders under 50. Similar membership-screening, dues-based model, signature events, and exclusive networking with curated speaker programming.
• Vistage Worldwide: Peer advisory and executive coaching organization serving CEOs, business owners, and senior executives. Comparable premium-membership model, tiered dues, and structured monthly group meetings with thought leadership content.

Others

• Junior Achievement of South Dakota: Local nonprofit in the Sioux Falls business community with which SME has board-level overlap (Chelsea Cronin). Indirectly comparable as a regional business-education nonprofit operating in the same community, though focused on youth/education rather than executive networking.

Broad incumbents

• American Marketing Association (AMA): National professional association for marketers with local chapters offering events, education, and networking. Operates a similar professional society model but with a marketing-only focus and broader geographic scale.

Regional players

• Sales and Marketing Executives International (SMEI): Former parent affiliate of SME Sioux Falls until the 2006 split. Both organizations serve the same sales/marketing executive persona with similar awards, certifications, and chapter-based structure, providing a direct historical peer.
• Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce: The premier regional business membership organization in the same Sioux Falls market. SME members (e.g., Anna Jankord) and dual-membership overlap with the Chamber make it the closest geographic peer, though it serves broader business functions beyond sales/marketing executives.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SMEofSiouxFalls

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles24 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sales Marketing Executives, Incorporated Of Sioux Falls