PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH
Why speak?
Public service comes to mind immediately. The sharing of knowledge and wisdom. Visibility. Affirming expertise. Peer recognition. Honing presentation skills. Brand image. New clients. Exposure in general. Why speak? - Why not?
How can WinSpin help?
Working together we can decide on where to speak, the why, and the what. Mendell’s talent for shaping the application submissions remains key to her client’s success in attaining speaking engagements. Her personal contacts and the trust she has built with conference coordinators, along with her reputation in the A/E community helps to pave the way.
How much effort will it take to start speaking at conferences?
We develop a plan to identify low hanging fruit that corresponds to your available time -- opportunities as well as stretch goals. We set up a marketing plan that clearly lists conferences, their dates, and the results that can be expected after you speak. Together we work to submit proposals, we work to prepare for the event, and we work afterwards to take full advantage of the contacts and networking.
Thank you note from Mark Posey, a student of mine at Georgetown University 2012
MARILYNN'S SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Bolton Hill Garden Club, March 4, 2025
Baltimore, MD
“Fungi 101”
AIA Buffalo/Western New York, November 4, 2024
Buffalo, NY
"Business Development, or...The Things You Don't Want to do"
Buffalo & Erie County Library, November 2, 2024
Buffalo, NY
Indie Author Day: "The Critical Eyes: The Opinions, The Designers,
The Wordsmiths & What They Will Cost You”
Ann Page Garden Club, October 23, 2023
Fredericksburg, VA
"Pollinator Gardens - A Year-Round Bloom"
AIA Rochester, September 7, 2023
Rochester, NY
"Business Development, or...The Things You Don't Want to do"
AIA CEU Course
BELL Architects, June 20, 2023
Washington, DC
"Fungi 101"
Master Gardener Association of the
Central Rappahannock Area, May 17, 2023
Fredericksburg, VA
"Fungi 101"
NSDAR Sparkle in Service Leadership Week, October 6, 2022
Washington, DC
KeyNote Speaker
"Ethics, Manners, & Gratitude The Many Facets
of Business Etiquette"
Earth Day, April 23, 2022
Old Mill Park, Fredericksburg, VA
"Introduction to Fungi and Foraging"
Fredericksburg Food Coop, May 18, 2022
Fredericksburg, VA
"Fun Fungi with Food Friends"
AIA Design DC, September 22, 2021
Washington, DC
"Turn Black Swan Scenarios into White Swan Results"
AIA Design DC, September 22, 2020
Washington, DC
"The Why Answers: Basic 101 StartUp Marketing"
NeoCon National, June 07, 2020
Chicago, IL
"Time Management: The Invisible Factor in Profitability"
AIA Design DC, September 16, 2019
Washington, DC
"Time Management: The Invisible Factor in Profitability"
HITT Contracting, May 22 & June 25, 2019
Washington, DC
"The Many Facets of Business Etiquette: Ethics, Kindness,
Manners, and Thank You."
AIA Design DC, October 3, 2018
Washington, DC
"Resilient Firms Manage Risk & Market Like Hell:
But first they have to know how."
AIA National Convention, June 23, 2018
New York, NY
"Sage Start-Up Business Advice from an Accountant,
Lawyer, & Marketing Expert "
NeoCon National, June 13, 2018
Chicago, IL
"The Advanced Beginner Class on Social Media: What You Need,
How to Use It, and What Process Makes It Pay."
Georgia State National Convention NSDAR, April 8, 2018
Atlanta, GA
"KeyNote Inspirational: History Is Not Shaped by The Masses.
On the Contrary, History is Shaped by an Individual With a Passion."
AIA Rochester NY Emerging Professionals,October 18, 2017
Rochester, NY
"To Market the Firm-Market Yourself"
AIA Design DC, October 3, 2017
Washington, DC
Growth Strategy Beyond the Cliff
NeoCon, June 13, 2017
Chicago, IL
“An accountant, a lawyer, and a marketing expert...
provide sage advice as experienced professionals to
help you start or grow a successful enterprise."
Winchester Rotary, September 15, 2016
Winchester, VA
“Success in Business & Life"
Georgetown University, Fall 2016
Washington, DC
Serving as Adjunct Professor
"12 Keys to Successful Business Practice"
AIA Design DC Conference: August 25, 2016
Washington, DC
“How to Build a Brand from Scratch"
Washington-Lewis Chapter DAR, April 12, 2016
Fredericksburg, VA
“How to Document a Legacy Collection for Posterity”
Jay Massad YMCA Annual Campaign Conference March 1, 2016
Rappahannock Area, VA
Keynote Speaker
“Success in Business & Life"
AAUW District 2 NYS Conference, October 17, 2015
Bath Branch, NY
Keynote Speaker
"Most Things Can Be Learned. We Are Born a Blank Slate."
Chamber Network of Enterprising Women, September 15, 2015
Fredericksburg, VA
Keynote Speaker
"How to Start a Business and Evolve as You Go!"
North Stafford Rotary, August 11, 2015
Stafford, VA
Keynote Speaker
"Elbow Grease + Chicken Fat: Business Advice That Sticks to Your Ribs"
NeoCon, June 17, 2015
Chicago, IL
"The Umbrella Approach to Marketing & Business Development:
Win More with Less"
UMW Leadership Colloquium, May 19, 2015
Fredericksburg, VA
Keynote Speaker
"Elbow Grease + Chicken Fat:Business Advice that Sticks to Your Ribs"
LightFair International Conference, May 5-7 2015
New York, NY
"Winning More Work & Gaining Brand Visibility"
Capitol Chapter, NSDAR December 13, 2014
Washington, DC
Book Signing: Elbow Grease + Chicken Fat:Business Advice that
Sticks to Your Ribs
Washington Lewis Chapter, NSDAR December 9, 2014
Fredericksburg, VA
Book Signing: Elbow Grease + Chicken Fat:Business Advice that
Sticks to Your Ribs
Wallace Library, November 15, 2014 1-4pm
Fredericksburg, VA
Book Signing: Elbow Grease + Chicken Fat:Business Advice that
Sticks to Your Ribs
Talking Leaves Books, November 9, 2014
Buffalo, NY
"Elbow Grease + Chicken Fat: Business Advice that
Sticks to Your Ribs"
University at Buffalo, November 8, 2014
Buffalo, NY
“Integrated Marketing Produces the Largest Results for Small Firms"
AIA CEU Course
England Run Library, October 20, 2014
Fredericksburg, VA
"Elbow Grease + Chicken Fat:Business Advice that Sticks to Your Ribs"
Salem Church Library, October 20, 2014
Fredericksburg, VA
"Elbow Grease + Chicken Fat:Business Advice that Sticks to Your Ribs"
Georgetown University, Fall 2014
Washington, DC
Adjunct Professor
"12 Keys to Successful Business Practice"
AIA National Convention, June 2014
Chicago, IL
"Change Management: How a Company Transforms to Gain New Business"
Mount Vernon, March 19, 2014
Mt Vernon, VA
"Elbow Grease + Chicken Fat:Business Advice that Sticks to Your Ribs"
Architecture Boston Expo, November 21, 2013
Boston, Massachusetts
“Architectural Photography: Shoot Your Project and Get Published”
with Anice Hoachlander
George Mason University, November 8, 2013
Fairfax, VA
“Business Development: 5 Key Principles”
WPA (Washington Project for the Arts), September 19, 2013
Washington, DC
"Working the Room: How to Network Effectively and Sell Your Art"
Georgetown University,Fall 2013
Washington, DC
Adjunct Professor
"Leading the Charge to New Business"
NYU-DC, August 30,2013
Washington, DC
"How to Navigate from Elevator Pitches to Social Media"
KCCT Architects, July 9, 2013
Washington, DC
"Improve Interview Skills"
AIA CEU Course
AIA National Convention, June 21, 2013
Denver, CO
"Leading the Charge! 10 Essential Steps to Business Development"
NeoCon, June 10, 2013
Chicago, IL
"Leading the Charge for New Business: 5 Essential Steps to
Business Development"
Georgetown University, Spring 2013
Washington, DC
Adjunct Professor
"Business Development for Residential and Commercial Real Estate"
NYU-DC, January 31, 2013
Washington, DC
"How to Navigate from Elevator Pitches to Social Media"
Hickok Cole Architects, October 10, 2012
Washington, DC
"Professional Practice: Business Etiquette”
AIA CEU Course
RAND Construction Corporation, July 31, 2012
Alexandria, Virginia
"Today's Networking: How to Navigate from
Elevator Pitches to Social Media"
NEO CON, June 11, 2012
Chicago,Illinois
"The Win-Win Promotional Campaign Advantage"
With Noel Carson
Georgetown University, Spring 2012
Washington, DC
Adjunct Professor
"Business Development for Residential and
Commercial Real Estate" With Tom Daley
Howard University,April 4, 2012
Washington, DC
"Chickenman: From the Beginning. A basics of Marketing,
PR, and Business Development."
KCCT Architects, October 13, 2011
Washington, DC
“Today’s Networking: How to Navigate from
Elevator Pitches to Social Media”
Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS), August 11, 2011
Virginia Chapter
“Today’s Networking: How to Navigate from
Elevator Pitches to Social Media”
Hickok Cole Architects, August 3, 2011
Washington, DC
“Today’s Networking: How to Navigate from
Elevator Pitches to Social Media”
AIA CEU Course
DCBIA, DLD Foundations Lunch Series, June 14, 2011
Washington, DC
Keynote Speaker
"Today's Networking: How to Navigate from
Elevator Pitches to Social Media"
Howard University, April 4, 2011
Washington, DC
“Chickenman: From the Beginning. A basics of Marketing,
PR, and Business Development.”
Hickok Cole Architects, February 23, 2011
Washington, DC
"Professional Practice: Formal Business Event Etiquette"
AIA CEU Course
Hickok Cole Architects, December 16, 2010
Washington, DC
"Stop Writing in Code: Translating Architect Speak (Klingon) into English"
AIA CEU Course
NEO CON East, October 28, 2010
Baltimore, Maryland
“3 Ways to Strategically Market Out of a Recession – Back to Basics”
Co-presented with Sarah Barr
Zweig White, September 1, 2010
Webinar, “How to Stay Ahead in a Down Market.”
AIA Design DC, August 4, 2010
Washington, DC
"Marketing Before the 1st Sketch: A Case Study of Blackboard, Inc."
Co-presented with Sean Wayne
AIA Design DC, July 15, 2009
Washington, DC
“ Stories that Help Leaders Win”
AIA Design DC, July 14, 2009
Washington, DC
"Is Fellowship Your Future?"
Co-presented with Kathryn Prigmore
AIA DC Chapter May 14, 2009
Washington, DC
"Marketing in a Challenging Economy"
Co-presented with Michelle Honey
Public TV Rotary Times Interview, March 31, 2009
24th Annual Build Boston, November 19, 2008
Boston, Massachusetts
"Marketing for a Very Small Firm: Twenty Steps to Realize Your Goals"
AIA CEU, September 24, 2008
Washington, DC,
"Get the Most Out of Product Sales Reps"
Garden Writers Association 60th Annual Symposium, September 21, 2008
Portland, Oregon
"The Everywhere Approach to Building a Brand or Changing an Image"
AIA Design DC, July 9, 2008
Washington, DC
“The Way to FAIA”
Co-presented with Kathryn Prigmore
AIA Design DC, July 8, 2008
Washington, DC
“Marketing for a Very Small Firm”
NEO CON Chicago, June10, 2008
Chicago, Illinois
“ How To Help The Client And Increase Sales”
Zweig White, Marketing Summit, April 2008
Coral Gables, Florida
“Small Firms Can Market & Brand Like Big Firms"
SMPS South East Regional Conference, March 2008
Birmingham, Alabama
“Everywhere Approach to Marketing”
NEO CON East, October 2007
Baltimore, Maryland
“Re-Branding Your Firm”
Co-presented with Sarah Barr
AIA CEU, August 2007
Washington, DC
“Chickenman Approach to Marketing”
AIA Design DC, July 2007
Washington, DC
“The Chickenman Approach to Marketing”
AIA Design DC, July 2007
Washington, DC
“The Way to FAIA”
Co-presented with Kathryn Prigmore
Zweig White, Marketing Summit, March 2007
Las Vegas, Nevada
Keynote Speaker
“The Chickenman Approach to Marketing”
Washington Women in PR, 2006
Washington, DC,
Nominated Woman of the Year Speech
“Start with Nothing and Fulfill Your Dreams”
Rappahannock Rotary, 2006
Fredericksburg, VA
“The World Water Center and Rotary Water Projects”
AIA Design DC, 2006
Washington, DC,
“Branding Your Firm”
Co-presented with Sarah Barr
SMPS, May 20, 2005
Washington, DC
“How to Win Awards”
Washington, DC, Rotary 2005
Washington, DC
“Rotary in Russia-Cold War Healing”
Washington, DC Rotary 2004
Washington, DC
"Water and Rotary Around the Globe”
Judge Lynn Chapter, DAR, 2004
Washington, DC
“Protecting Yourself from Identity Theft”
ArtPark, July 1997
Lewiston, New York
“Cool Meals for Hot Days”
Buffalo Historical Society, 1991
Buffalo, New York,
“Burt Green on Greens”
Buffalo Automotive Show & Conference, 1995
Buffalo, New York
Keynote Speaker
“Business Etiquette & Sales”
New York Department of Labor, October 1988
New York, New York
Honored as Woman of the Year Speech
Everywoman Opportunity Center, May 1988
Buffalo, New York
Keynote Speaker
“Go Through Fear & Grab Your Dreams”
The National Press Club
Washington, DC
Introductions for visiting guest speakers
Various Colleges & Universities 1993-1997
On Issues of Etiquette: “Business Etiquette”
“I wanted to thank you for your participation in the AIA national convention. Your seminar was terrific and it left me wanting to dig deeper, learn more and fully own your advice regarding business development, networking, etc. I want to confess that I was tired on Friday evening and reluctant to show up for your 6:00pm seminar that I had signed up for. I decided I'd at least drop by and see if it seemed worthwhile within the first few minutes, I was engrossed, so much so that I texted a friend in another seminar and told him I'd found a winner and he should come on over if he wasn't liking the one he was in. (He came over and enjoyed too!) I look forward to learning more about you and perhaps we'll have the occasion to talk at some point in the future.”
Tony Martin, AIA
Architectural Design Leader
Woolpert
“I am writing to extend my gratitude for the knowledge you have given me in the brief hour of your seminar. I was also hoping the HDD could be added to your mailing list because we would love to have more information on your services and other helpful tips for growing our business…And I have to say that since I left your seminar I can not think of anyone better to help [expand our company] when the time comes. Thank you for your time.”
Sincerely,
Eydie Voss
Allied Member ASID
Hart-Davidson Designs
Project Manager
"Marilynn Mendell is one of the most influential and inspiring individuals that I had a chance to connect with in DC. She was an instructor of mine at Georgetown University. She asked us to wear suits to class. I was given a frumpy suit from a friend and wore it with a lack of confidence.This was my first suit to wear besides my rental from High School Prom and the rental for my brother's wedding. Marilynn and I had a quick conversation about "Getting Started Somewhere". That little conversation left a huge impact and started building a more confident me. I am very excited to read Elbow Grease + Chicken Fat.
http://www.winspincic.com/book.php"
I posted the above on my Facebook and LinkedIn. Just in case I've never communicated the impact you have had on my life. Basically a little chat in the elevator after class has helped me to this day as I continue to challenge myself.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, overall Happy Holidays!”
Sincerely,
Antonio Godoy, Real Estate Agent
Mary Fields Realty
Indie Author Day
"The Critical Eyes: The Opinions, The Designers, The Wordsmiths & What They Will Cost You”
Buffalo & Erie County Library
November 2, 2024
Buffalo, NY
> Watch here