The motivating force behind the new organization was Sam Gilmer. His insight into the need for such a group proved prophetic. Today, the Society spans the nation with 26 chapters and more than 3,500 members.

Represented in SGMP's membership are employees of federal, state, county and city government, as well as associations of governmental employees and government agencies. The Society of Government Meeting Professionals is the only national organization in the United States dedicated exclusively to improving the knowledge and expertise of individuals in the planning and execution of government meetings through education, training, and industry relationships.

SGMP is managed by a national board of directors and officers elected by the membership. Affiliate chapters elect local leadership and conduct monthly meetings in their respective areas.

Mission
The mission of the Society of Government Meeting Professionals is to improve the quality and increase the cost effectiveness of government meetings by:

•  Improving the communications, understanding and cooperation between planners and suppliers through periodic meetings;
• Expanding the knowledge, skills and abilities by conducting formal educational programs;
  Aiding planners in locating and evaluating meeting facilities and support services;
• Researching, analyzing and translating regulatory and legislative issues and policies which affect government meeting professionals;
• Influencing decision making that directly or indirectly impact the scope of operations of the planners;
• Maintaining liaison activities with other professional meeting planner and supplier groups; and
• Providing guidance and advice to planners on all phases of planning, executing and evaluating meetings

Code of Ethics
Because we recognize that government planners and the hospitality industry are companion functions within the meeting planning fields, and
Because sound price cost-effective transactions must be mutually profitable, and

Because cooperation between government meeting planners and suppliers will reduce the cost of meetings with consequent benefits to the hospitality industry and to the national economy as a whole,

We, therefore, subscribe to the following standards of professionalism in the relationship between government meeting planners and suppliers and within the industry as a whole.

• To avoid misrepresentation in all business dealings, recognizing that permanent business relations on a professional level can be maintained only on a basis of HONESTY and fairness.
• To buy and sell on the basis of value, recognizing that value represents that combination of quality of service and price which assures the greatest ultimate economy to the user.
• To respect obligations incurred and neither express nor imply a performance which you cannot reasonably expect to fulfill.
• To adjust and settle disputes on the basis of facts and fairness only.
• To recognize that CHARACTER is the greatest asset in commerce, and to give it consideration in all business transactions for the betterment of the profession.
• To avoid statements tending to injure or discredit and to divulge no information acquired in confidence with the intent of giving or receiving an unfair advantage in a competitive business transaction.
• To provide, accept or demand no gifts or entertainment in the guise of sales expense, where the intent or effect is to unduly influence the recipients in favor of the donor, and to renounce all forms of commercial bribery.
• To strive consistently for EDUCATION and growth of KNOWLEDGE within the profession.
• To counsel (mentor) and to accept counsel from colleagues whenever the occasion permits, in the furtherance of the profession, as well as the Society.
• To not use the Society or allow the Society to be used for overt commercial or personal purposes. 

National Leadership Reports

March 2008