Beloved marketing professor attends all 250 meetings for more than two decades.

Burt Smith has attended every meeting of the Oklahoma City chapter of the American Marketing Association since 1994, celebrating 25 years of perfect attendance.

“I’ve arrived at meetings late and had to leave early, but I’ve always found a way to make an appearance,” said Smith, a professor of marketing and management at Oklahoma Christian University. “I am grateful for the impact AMA has had on my career.”

Smith was the first local member to achieve perfect attendance over two decades. He was the youngest person named to AMA-OKC’s board in 1995 and is a past president of the chapter. Under his leadership, it received its first National Chapter Excellence Award. In addition, the chapter named its lifetime achievement award in Smith’s honor.

Long-time AMA member and President of VI Marketing and Branding Tim Berney praised Smith for his involvement in AMA over the years.

“If there is one person that is responsible for the health and stability of AMA-OKC it is Dr. Burt Smith,” Berney said. “His enthusiasm and influence have elevated the chapter every year, and the entire marketing community has benefited from his involvement in AMA. While he’s a teacher by profession, he is obviously dedicated to lifelong learning.”

AMA-OKC President Jennifer Williams, a project manager at Evolve Marketing Research, congratulated Smith on his accomplishment.

“He has influenced me to not only become a better leader but also marketing research professional,” Williams said “He gives honest, positive feedback and is genuinely inspiring... He not only cares about his professional career, but those of his students and young professionals. When I grow up (professionally-speaking), I want to be like Dr. Burt.”

Another AMA member and vice president of Smith-Dryden Promotional Products also complimented Smith for his accomplishment.

“Dr. Burt has been a vital member of our chapter,” said close friend Michael Smith. “He is always willing to lend a helping hand through donations of his networking book to new members and utilizing his amazing talent as a moderator, speaker and charity auctioneer. Dr. Burt is a key contributor to our chapter’s continued success.”

In addition to teaching undergraduate marketing classes at OC, Smith is a professor in the MBA program. In 2009, he was honored with the Gaylord Chair of Distinguished Teaching Award. He co-founded OC’s student chapter of the American Marketing Association and currently serves as a sponsor.

Smith co-founded EMI Research Solutions where he has served clients such as Cox Communications, OG&E, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Subway and the Oklahoma City Zoo.

Among many honors, Smith was the first Oklahoman to earn the AMA’s Professional Certified Marketer designation and holds the Sales and Marketing Executive International’s Certified Marketing Executive designation. Smith was also in the Journal Record’s Centennial Class of Achievers Under 40, as well as the inaugural class of Business OKC’s 40 Under 40.

Smith became an auctioneer at 17 to fund his college education. He was the 2002 Oklahoma State Champion Auctioneer and has raised more than $7 million for charities across Oklahoma and Texas. The new star of the show is his 12-year-old son, Dalton.

In 2007, Smith published his first book, “The Great Game of Networking,” and he regularly blogs at www.drburt.com.

Dr. Burt Smith standing with AMA-OKC President and Evolve Marketing Research Project Manager Jennifer Williams