Membership Information

Categories

There are five categories of membership in SGMP. Upon submission, applications are presented to the SGMP Board of Directors for approval. In order to maintain the membership balance, supplier and associate supplier applicants must join with a planner applicant.

Government Planner
Federal, state, or local government employees who have the responsibility for planning or implementing any type of meeting, conference, or convention as part of their official duties. Employees of private organizations, a majority of whose membership is comprised of government employees, may also qualify as government planners if they plan and implement meetings as part of their official duties.

Contact Planner
Individuals, organizations or companies operating under contract to government agencies, and are receiving said payments directly from government agencies, to assist in the planning or implementation of meetings, conferences or conventions are contract planners by this definition. Individuals, organizations or companies that are compensated through retainer or commission from suppliers, i.e., hotels, conference centers, cities, etc., will be considered suppliers. This means that individuals, organizations or companies whose income in the planning or placement of government meetings, conferences or conventions is derived from suppliers are also considered as suppliers.

Supplier
Companies or individuals who solicit business from and/or who provide facilities and services to government planners outside of direct assistance in the planning and implementation of meetings. Suppliers include hotel representation firms, travel agencies convention & visitors bureaus, consulting firms, registration services, airlines, printers, exhibit managers, security services, etc.

Associate Supplier
Individuals, organizations or companies that are compensated through retainer or commission from suppliers (i.e., hotels, conference centers, cities, etc.) will be considered associate suppliers. This means that individuals, organizations or companies whose income in the planning or placement of government meetings, conferences or conventions is derived from suppliers are also considered suppliers.

Educator/Student
Individuals who are educators or students who would not otherwise qualify for any other membership category. This is a nonvoting category and does not count toward planner/supplier "matching" requirements. This category is not open to anyone who would be eligible for any one of the three other membership categories.

Note: If a person qualifies for membership in more than one category, he/she must join at the highest membership category for which they are eligible.

Types of Membership

Organization
This type of membership is paid for by and belongs to the company or agency. A representative must be appointed as the SGMP members. The membership is transferable within the company or agency, by its election on letterhead.

Individual
This type of membership is paid for and belongs to the individual, even though he/she may be representing a company or agency. This membership is movable with the individual member, but is not transferable to another member.

NOTE: If a company or agency supports the member by paying the membership fee (directly or through reimbursement), the membership belongs to the organization.

Membership Fees

Government Planner	$55
Contract Planner	$140
Supplier	$350
Associate Supplier	$250
Educator/Student	$25
Retiree	$25

Chapter Affiliation

Affiliation with a local chapter is available to every member at no additional charge. All chapter members receive additional member benefits exclusively through that chapter. Each monthly chapter meeting provides member benefits in all three areas — education, resources and networking.

Members may affiliate with the chapter of their choice, regardless of location. You may choose to join more than one chapter, but each chapter membership must be affiliated with its own national membership. Applicants who do not choose a chapter are placed in the At Large chapter, which has no organizational activities.

Click here to obtain more information on SGMP chapter affliation.