By: Westwood Media Group

Springfield, MO – August 12, 2025 — In every business success story, there’s the visionary who sets the course and the operator who ensures the ship reaches its destination. At Westwood Media Group, Dylan Smith is both — a co-owner, strategist, and execution powerhouse whose fingerprints are on every significant achievement the company has scored in recent years.

Known for his ability to blend operational discipline with sales drive, Smith has played a key role in shaping Westwood’s growth trajectory. But 2025 has marked an even bigger stage for him — as one of the driving forces behind the 1% Event, Springfield’s rising business conference that’s redefining what it means to gather entrepreneurs under one roof.

Owning the Vision at Westwood Media Group

As a co-owner of Westwood Media Group, Smith isn’t just managing a to-do list — he’s setting the direction of the company alongside his business partner, Kyle Gardner.

Westwood’s mission is straightforward yet ambitious: to turn clients into industry leaders, authority figures, and household names through elite-level press, branding, and media placement. But in a competitive industry where everyone promises results, Westwood has carved out a space by consistently delivering them — and Smith’s ownership role has been pivotal to that reputation.

Smith oversees day-to-day operations with a founder’s mentality. He ensures campaigns are executed flawlessly, clients receive exceptional service, and the team remains aligned with Westwood’s long-term strategy. But his operational expertise is only half the equation — he’s also the company’s primary sales driver, responsible for bringing in the kind of high-value clients that fuel long-term growth.

Operating on a profit-based ownership model, Smith’s incentives are directly tied to the company’s performance. That alignment fuels his competitive edge — every decision, every deal, every project is treated like an investment in his own future. “Dylan thinks like a CEO because he is one,” Gardner says. “When you combine his sales instincts with his ability to execute, you get someone who can scale a business without losing sight of quality.”

From Media to Movement: Dylan’s Role in the 1% Event

In 2025, Smith’s ownership impact extended beyond Westwood’s client base. He took on a leading role with the 1% Event, a high-energy, red-carpet-style business conference designed to equip entrepreneurs with the tools, connections, and mindset to join the high-tier in their industry.

While the 1% Event features well-known speakers and captivating stage moments, Smith is one of the key forces making it all happen behind the scenes. He handles critical aspects of event operations — from coordinating with speakers and sponsors to ensuring the marketing campaigns convert interest into ticket sales.

Leveraging Westwood’s marketing engine, Smith has been instrumental in increasing the event’s profile. The branding, press outreach, and content strategy surrounding the 1% Event reflect the same high-level execution Westwood clients experience — and it’s paying off. Attendance is climbing, sponsorships are growing, and the event’s reputation as a prominent business hub in the Midwest is spreading fast.

“Dylan’s a closer in every sense of the word,” Gardner notes. “He doesn’t just sell a ticket or a sponsorship — he sells the vision. People buy into the 1% Event because they believe in what it stands for, and Dylan makes sure that belief turns into action.”

The 1% Event Experience

The next 1% Event will take place on September 6th, 2025, at 1900 W Sunset St, Springfield, MO. Doors open at 11:00 AM, followed by a networking hour and red carpet from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, and then a packed lineup of powerhouse speakers from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Attendees can expect a mix of high-impact talks, networking opportunities, and business-building moments. But what makes the event stand out — and where Smith’s influence is more visible — is in its execution. From the lighting to the schedule flow to the follow-up after the event, every detail is designed to make attendees feel like they’re part of something meaningful.

Smith’s approach to event operations mirrors his business philosophy: create a seamless experience where value is obvious, and people will return again and again.

An Entrepreneur’s Mindset in Every Move

Smith’s path to becoming a co-owner of Westwood Media Group and a driving force in the 1% Event wasn’t accidental. It’s the product of years spent honing his sales skills, learning the intricacies of operations, and adopting an ownership mindset long before he officially took a stake in the company.

That mindset shows up in everything he does. Whether it’s negotiating a high-ticket media package, refining a marketing funnel for an event, or troubleshooting a last-minute change in a live production, Smith operates with the calm urgency of someone who understands that every detail impacts the brand.

He’s not interested in short-term wins that compromise long-term vision. Instead, he’s building for sustainability — making sure Westwood’s clients and the 1% Event attendees both walk away with results that exceed their expectations.

The Power of Being Behind the Scenes

While many entrepreneurs chase personal brand visibility, Smith’s impact comes from a different angle. He’s not the one giving the keynote at the 1% Event (at least, not yet). He’s the one ensuring the keynote happens on time, with the right audience in the seats and the right buzz around it.

In business, that role is often undervalued — until you realize it’s the reason everything works.

“Visibility is great,” Smith says, “but the real power is in making things happen consistently. That’s what builds trust, and trust is what builds everything else.”

Scaling the Vision

Looking ahead, Smith sees significant growth opportunities for both Westwood and the 1% Event. For Westwood, the plan is to expand its press and media services into new industries while deepening client relationships through integrated marketing solutions.

For the 1% Event, expansion could mean multiple cities, larger venues, and year-round workshops designed to keep momentum high between conferences.

The connective tissue between both ventures? Value creation. Smith’s belief is that if you help people reach their goals faster — whether that’s gaining industry credibility or building a stronger business network — you’ll always have a market.

A Legacy in the Making

At just this stage in his career, Dylan Smith has already positioned himself as a rare blend of operator and entrepreneur. He’s a co-owner who sells, a strategist who executes, and an event producer who thinks like a brand builder.

In the months ahead, he’ll be splitting his time between closing high-ticket Westwood deals, finalizing 1% Event logistics, and mapping out expansion plays for both. It’s a workload that would overwhelm more — but for Smith, it’s fuel.

“Pressure is part of the game,” he says. “If you want to build something worth talking about, you have to be willing to carry the weight.”

And carry it he does.

For Springfield’s business community — and for the growing number of entrepreneurs, executives, and dreamers impacted by his work — Dylan Smith is proof that the people who change the game aren’t always on the stage. Sometimes, they’re the ones building it.

For more information: projectfuturefirst.com