How to Join as a Supplier

Thank you, in advance, for your attention to this important information regarding all of the rules for submitting a complete and accurate supplier membership application package that will be processed in our membership system instead of being returned to you.

NOTE: Supplier applicants for the Arizona, Heart of America, Heart of Illinois, Louisiana, North Texas, Northern Lights, San Antonio Alamo, and Southern California chapters currently must submit two planner matches in the same month in order to join SGMP.

Supplier applicants (unless otherwise specified, "supplier" herein refers to the supplier and associate supplier categories) may join by downloading and mailing the supplier application to SGMP headquarters. Please do not email your credit card information.

The most efficient way for suppliers to join SGMP is for their application package (defined below) to be sent directly to SGMP headquarters. Chapter representatives may accept an application on your behalf at chapter events to be forwarded them to SGMP headquarters by the end of that month.

Applications are normally entered into the system within one business day and you will then receive a payment confirmation at the email address you provided on your application. At the beginning of the following month, you will be given a membership number and login password through that same email address.

Supplier applicants can only join SGMP when they submit an application package that also includes a planner "match" application. [You should know that planner applicants may join at any time on their own.] The planner match must join the same chapter as the supplier applicant.

Our policies mandate that a supplier applicant cannot join SGMP without a planner match application. The supplier membership application package MUST be received at SGMP headquarters: 1) submitted together with the supplier application referring to the planner application in the "Name of Planner Match" line, or 2) submitted separately and with the supplier application referring to the planner application in the "Name of Planner Match" line. There is no deadline by which an appropriately-matched supplier application must be received by SGMP headquarters after the planner application. An inappropriately-matched supplier application will always be deemed incomplete.

It is the supplier applicant's responsibility to ensure that the applications in their supplier application package refer to one another via the "Name of Planner Match" line on the supplier application. The supplier application package consists of: 1) the supplier application, 2) the supplier dues payment, 3) the planner application, and 4) the planner dues payment.

It is the supplier applicant's sole responsibility to ensure that these two applications arrive at SGMP headquarters. The responsibility of ensuring that a thorough and accurate and timely supplier membership application package is received at SGMP headquarters does not rest with the planner match applicant, the intended chapter of the applicants, or SGMP headquarters.

Supplier applications will be processed after the planner match application is processed per the policies below. If the planner match’s application is not received at SGMP headquarters, the supplier application will not be processed and will be returned. In the case where a supplier application is returned, any corresponding planner match application will be processed (so the supplier applicant will have to find another planner match and resubmit that application package).

Supplier applications are normally entered into the system within one business day of receipt of the entire supplier application package and you will then receive a payment confirmation at the email address you provided on your application. At the beginning of the following month, you will be given a membership number and login password through that same email address.

Each of the following requirements must be met by the supplier applicant. Failure to adhere to all of these requirements will result in the immediate return of the membership material(s):

• The payment for each membership must be included with each application (a corporate check that does NOT include either an application or a specific reference to the individual applicant's name will be returned immediately).
• The "Name of Planner Match" field on a supplier application must include the name of its planner match applicant.
• A supplier application must note the same chapter as its planner match application.

There are two supplier membership categories — Supplier and Associate Supplier — which are defined below.

SUPPLIER — $350
Companies or individuals who provide facilities and services to government or contract planners outside of direct assistance in the planning and implementation of meetings. [Supplier members are paid by agencies/planners. Hotels and CVBs are supplier members.]

ASSOCIATE SUPPLIER — $250
Individuals, organizations or companies being compensated through commission from suppliers. [Associate Suppliers are paid by suppliers.]

Tips for Finding a Planner Match

We recommend three sources for supplier applicants to research to find an eligible planner match. First, we recommend soliciting government professionals involved in meetings previously who have used the location or services you represent. Second, we recommend attending a local chapter meeting to network with non-member planner guests. Third, we recommend contacting the membership chair of the chapter you wish to join to see if they have any knowledge of planners interested in or intending to join that chapter.

We recommend attending a meeting along with your prospect to show them the value and benefits the organization has to offer, and for the government professional to have the opportunity to meet their peers.

OTHER NOTES:

• Incomplete or illegible applications will be returned. There is a $40 returned check fee.
• Be sure to select the chapter with which you wish to affiliate on your application (applicants not noting a chapter will be placed into the At Large chapter).
• Current or past planner members are not eligible to re-join along with a supplier as their “match” until their membership has lapsed for 12 months.
• Federal government employees operate under ethics rules that do not allow them to accept membership as a gift.