Latest News Archive
| May 7, 2013 | Subject Matter Experts Needed This is a CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS to our members to step up and offer their time and expertise to their professional peers and Society chapters in a variety of ways. There will never be a deadline by which you can volunteer by using the survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SGMPSME. However, the first posted "SME" list will include those received by midnight on May 13th. Our contributing SMEs will provide a wide array of services and resources to SGMP members and chapters, ranging from providing educational content and/or instruction at national/chapter events to simply serving as a mentor/resource to chapter leaders who need information or direction. We encourage you to answer this call to showcase and share your abilities and strengths. If you are unable or choose not to submit your name, please take a moment to think of other members who you feel would be valuable resources here and send a note of encouragement for he/she to volunteer. Simply use the link here to the Subject Matter Expert form. If you have any questions on this new SME program, feel free to contact our education & training director at garland.preddy@sgmp.org. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 20, 2013 | SGMP Elects 2013-2015 Board of Directors The Society of Government Meeting Professionals (SGMP) announced today its newly-elected national board of directors for 2013 – 2015. Current SGMP President Rob Coffman, CGMP, was re-elected president. Mr. Coffman serves as deputy director for the Office of Conference, Event and Meeting Services at the U.S. Department of the Treasury in Washington, DC. "It is my honor to continue to serve SGMP and its members as national president. Over the first two years of my tenure as president, our profession has faced new challenges and changes. We remain focused on our membership and education, and we are positioned for growth and success through partnerships with both our planners and our suppliers." First Vice President-Elect Maggie McGowan, CMP, CGMP will be stepping into the new role from her current director position. Tecumseh Deloney, CMP, CGMP and Brett Sterenson both are new members of the national board, while Kim Blanding, CGMP rejoins the national board in 2013. Here are the members of the 2013- 2015 SGMP national board of directors:
"We were very proud of the candidates presented to membership for this election," according to Melody Kebe, CMP, CGMP, who serves as immediate past president and chair of the nominations & elections committee. "And we hold high expectations for those who were elected for the next two years. For the first time, we have the perspective of all of our eligible membership types represented on the national board." The newly-elected board members include six individuals who have attained the Certified Government Meeting Professional ("CGMP") designation. "I am honored to hold an ex-officio position on the national board and look forward to continuing to work with the national leadership to provide our members with the education, resources, and networking necessary to be successful in the government meetings profession," said SGMP Executive Director & CEO Rob Bergeron, CAE, CGMP. SGMP is preparing for its 2013 National Education Conference & Expo (2013 NEC) at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, FL on May 22-24, 2013. The new board of directors will be installed during the Sam Gilmer Awards Banquet on May 23, 2013, at the 2013 NEC, for a two-year term of office that begins on July 1, 2013. Official Press Release | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| January 22, 2013 | SGMP Names Bergeron as Executive Director & CEO The Society of Government Meeting Professionals (SGMP) announced today that Robert Bergeron, CGMP, has been named as executive director & CEO. Bergeron has served as Acting Executive Director since May. "During the past several years, SGMP has expanded its level of resources and opportunities for our membership, most recently with the launch of our CGMP Congress, and grown stronger as an association" said SGMP national president Rob Coffman, CGMP. "Rob Bergeron is the right person at the right time to make SGMP even stronger and better for our members. We look forward to continuing this path of progress working together with Mr. Bergeron leading the SGMP staff." "What an honor it is for me to receive the support of the national board of directors," said Bergeron. The executive director & CEO implements the national board's vision by providing the direction, administration and coordination of all Society activities and by serving as an ex-officio member of the national board. Bergeron's 20-year association management career has included serving as SGMP's Deputy Director since December 2008. "This is an important and pivotal time for SGMP," he said. "I am eager to continue to work diligently with the headquarters staff and the entire national leadership team to, on behalf of all of our members, provide focus and success to our important education mission." Official Press Release | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 30, 2012 | SGMP Names New Education Trustee The Society of Government Meeting Professionals (SGMP) has named Kathleen Ryan, CGMP, as a trustee for its Gilmer Institute of Learning (GIL). Ryan will complete an existing two-year term of office for an education & program trustee position that ends on June 30, 2014. "I am very excited about this opportunity to contribute to our industry," said Ryan. "I look forward to working with the national leadership team to get things done." Her role will be to help develop new chapter programs within SGMP's core competencies, assist chapters to create appropriate chapter education programs, and maintain chapter program standards. The mission of SGMP is to enhance the knowledge and expertise of government meeting professionals by improving the quality of and promoting the cost-effectiveness of government meetings. The GIL enhances the purpose and goals of SGMP by providing support to our members and chapters through educational opportunities, certifications, training, resources, scholarships and endowment funding. This trustee position became vacant when Garland Preddy, CGMP, resigned due to her accepting a full-time position as SGMP's education & training director. SGMP bylaws allow for trustee vacancies occurring outside of general elections to be filled by national board appointment of a national president's nomination. "Kathleen brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Gilmer Institute of Learning as a protocol expert, a planner and a trainer," said Rob Coffman, CGMP, SGMP's national president and GIL's advisory chair. "Her dedication and service will be a great asset to SGMP." Official Press Release | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 28, 2012 | Exceptional Education at First CGMP Congress The Society of Government Meeting Professionals (SGMP) has successfully concluded its first CGMP Congress event, held in Washington, DC, from November 14-16, 2012. This exclusive event required attendees to hold the Certified Government Meeting Professional (CGMP) designation. "Our first CGMP Congress was a milestone achievement for SGMP and for our fellow CGMP designees. Our certification is in its eighth year and there are nearly 800 members holding the designation." said SGMP National President Rob Coffman, CGMP. "The top-notch education resulted in the cream of the crop of our members learning the latest in government policy issues, best practices, ethics reviews and exceptional strategies for achieving mission success in government meetings and travel." CGMP designees have obtained the highest certification available that is specifically for government meeting professionals. "At a time when all eyes are scrutinizing government spending habits, it is imperative that government meeting professionals create transparency," said Marlene Lu, CGMP, a state government planner in Terre Haute, Indiana. "It was one of the best conferences I have attended in my career." The education mission of SGMP is to enhance the knowledge and expertise of government meeting professionals by improving the quality of and promoting the cost-effectiveness of government meetings. This exclusive event was focused on mastering meeting management skills, gaining a deeper understanding of key governmental policy mandates and discovering new ways to harness the technology that drives efficiency, productivity and collaboration. "This was the best continuing education training I have received in my 14 years in the industry," according to Maria Herring, CGMP, a supplier member from Norfolk, Virginia. "I came back with real ideas, solutions, and processes that I can implement and share with my industry partners." Over 90% of the attendee evaluations indicated that the education and faculty met or exceeded their enhanced expectations. Every one of them said they would recommend this event to a CGMP colleague. Nearly 100 SGMP members holding the designation attended the sold-out event. The Opening Reception with Keynote Speakers was held in partnership with SGMP's National Capital chapter. Official Press Release | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 5, 2012 | 2013 NEC Registration Now Open! We are excited to announce that registration for the 2013 SGMP National Education Conference & Expo (2013 NEC) in Orlando on May 22-24, 2013, is now available to all SGMP members. Everything you need to know about the 2013 NEC can be found on our conference site: www.sgmp.org/nec2013. Join nearly 1,000 of your industry peers for education, resources and networking at the largest gathering of government meeting professionals each year. As you read through the conference site, you will notice several exciting changes at this year's conference! We have expanded the number of education sessions, the expo will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, and chapter awards will be presented on Friday. All 2013 NEC events (including the welcome reception, education sessions and expo) will take place on-site at the beautiful Rosen Shingle Creek. The 2013 NEC will end on Friday of the Memorial Day weekend. All registrations will be handled electronically this year. All members will be directed to login using their membership credentials. If you have any questions or difficulty, try the "forgot your login" information link or contact membership@sgmp.org to have the password reset. Registration for the conference and special events is included in your registration. We encourage all attendees to attend the educational sessions and network throughout the duration of the conference to maximize your experience at the 2013 NEC. Registration for our popular and additional pre-conference programming is also now available. There is limited space for these additional training opportunities that require separate registration and an additional fee. This year's pre-conference programming includes the Certified Government Meeting Professional (CGMP) certification course and two one-day certificate opportunities: Government Protocol and the Supplier Strategies Boot Camp. Please review the entirety of our conference website to find out the details about the education, resources and networking available to you at the NEC. You can find everything you need there, including the schedule at-a-glance, travel and lodging information, brand new sponsorship and hospitality opportunities, and all important deadlines. Register now for the 2013 NEC at www.sgmp.org/nec2013. Get Connected to Government Meetings—Plug into Orlando. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 26, 2012 | 2015 National Education Conference & Expo The Society of Government Meeting Professionals (SGMP) announced today that its 2015 National Education Conference & Expo (NEC) will be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The event will take place on April 28-30, 2015, at the Hilton Minneapolis and the connected Minneapolis Convention Center. "Our national leadership team is excited to announce Minneapolis as the host city and education partner for our 2015 annual conference," said SGMP national president Rob Coffman, CGMP. "We are thrilled to be going to the City by Nature for the very first time." Minneapolis offers fabulous shopping, dining and entertainment next to lakes and parks in an endless urban green space along a mighty river that brought the city to being. SGMP attendees will have unprecedented access throughout the Twin Cities in 2015. Its light rail system connects the airport, downtown, the Mall of America in suburban Bloomington and, prior to the conference, it will also connect to the state capital of St. Paul. "Minneapolis is excited to welcome SGMP to the City by Nature," said Melvin Tennant, president and CEO, Meet Minneapolis. "Members will enjoy our gleaming downtown with easy access to fresh outdoor spaces and unlimited shopping. There is so much to do, see, eat and experience, you'll want to plan extra time around the conference." The downtown area features the Minneapolis Skyway system which, at 80 full city blocks, is the largest continuous climate-controlled walkway system in the world. The 13-block and pedestrian-friendly Nicollet Mall is a fantastic dining and shopping destination and the Warehouse District is bursting with nightlife. The Mall of America features more stores than any mall in the U.S. (500+) and the state has no sales tax on apparel or shoes. Our 2015 host boasts that its live performance spaces are second only to New York in number of seats per capita. "It has long been said that those who do not love Minneapolis are those who have never been there," said SGMP acting executive director Rob Bergeron, CGMP. "We look forward to connecting our members with its charm and appeal." More than 40% of adults in Minneapolis-Saint Paul give time to volunteer work, the highest such percentage of any large metropolitan area in the country. SGMP has been represented across the state by the Northern Lights chapter since 1997. "What an excellent announcement for our chapter's 15th anniversary year," said chapter president Jenn Pettit-Hanson. "The chapter and our entire Twin Cities hospitality community will welcome SGMP and this educational opportunity with open arms." Official Press Release | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 17, 2012 | GSA Announces 2013 Federal Per Diem The General Services Administration (GSA) recently posted the per diem rates for the 2013 fiscal year. The drop down function on the GSA map allows users to select the new fiscal year rates by selecting "2013". A previous GSA press release noted that the rates for fiscal year 2013 would be flat from fiscal year 2012. Please note that these rates are for federal travel and that each state sets their own per diem rates. Is your agency or organization interested in learning how GSA sets per diem rates? Contact GSA at (202) 208-7642 or jill.denning@gsa.gov for more information. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| August 22, 2012 | 2014 National Education Conference & Expo | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| August 17, 2012 | SGMP Statement on Per Diem Rates SGMP is pleased the GSA listened to the impactful input from our industry and support the decision to freeze FY2013 per diem rates at FY2012 rates, since a rate decrease would have potentially resulted in the unintended consequence of driving up the costs of government meetings. We support any reasonable efforts by the federal government to implement appropriate cost-saving and transparency measures, as this is directly in keeping with our organization's objectives to improve the quality and promote the cost-effectiveness of government meetings. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| August 14, 2012 | GSA Statement on Per Diem Rates The General Services Administration (GSA) announced today that government travel per diem rates for fiscal 2013 will not change on October 1st. The press release from GSA states that the move is to meet the Obama Administration's directives to reduce costs on travel expenses. A copy of the press release can be found here. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| August 1, 2012 | First-Ever CGMP Congress We are pleased to announce that registration for the first-ever CGMP Congress at The Westin Washington DC City Center on November 14-16, 2012, is now open at www.sgmp.org/training/congress.cfm. This event is specifically tailored to provide a unique experience for current “CGMP” designees. In order to help celebrate this new event, and in partnership with SGMP’s National Capital chapter, registration to attend the opening reception with keynote speaker at the National Archives on the evening of November 14 will be open to all members. For details on registration and the event, visit the CGMP Congress information page. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| July 3, 2012 | SGMP Appoints Acting Executive Director Rob Bergeron, SGMP Deputy Director since December 2008, was appointed by the SGMP Board of Directors as Acting Executive Director, effective June 22, 2012. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| May 25, 2012 | 2012 Gilmer Awards Banquet Winners On May 17, 2012 we announced this year's winners of our national awards at the Gilmer Awards Banquet during the 2012 NEC in New Orleans, LA. We are proud of all of the hard work done by all of our members, partners, and past national presidents through the years to make the 30th National Education Conference & Expo the best one yet. Please mark your calendars for May 22-24 for the 31st National Education Conference & Expo in Orlando, FL. Registration will open in November! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| April 12, 2012 | 2012-2014 GIL Trustee Election Results We are pleased to announce the election of our newly-elected 2012-2014 trustees, who will serve the Gilmer Institute of Learning (GIL) starting on July 1, 2012: Scholarship & Certification Trustees: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| April 4, 2012 | SGMP's Official Response to the IG Report on the GSA WRC The findings in the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Inspector General's report regarding GSA's 2010 Western Regions Conference (WRC) is disturbing for anyone who understands the government meeting planning process and certainly for any American citizen. But this apparent instance of excessive spending is newsworthy in part because it's unusual. Decades of experience demonstrate that the vast majority of government conferences are productive and cost effective. Government travel plays a significant role in the U.S. economy as a whole and no one will want to endure the economic hardship individuals and businesses would experience if leaders take the knee jerk approach and drastically reduce or shutdown government meetings and travel. The federal government maintains strict rules regarding spending and ethics when it comes to travel and, as in this case, when those rules are broken those responsible should be held accountable. The entire government meetings industry should not be judged on this one grossly "over the top" executed event. It clearly demonstrates the importance of agencies having a professional meeting planner versed in the proper processes of solicitation, contract awards and event execution, as required by government policy, the procurement process and ethical conduct standards. GSA's black eye for this 2010 WRC meeting will be SGMP members' and leaders' golden opportunity to advocate for the training and certification of government planners. This acknowledgement of the importance of providing education and resources for meeting planning is the first step toward ensuring that government policy and best practices for efficient, cost effective meetings are the standard—starting with the career government employee and continuing all the way up to the appointee who may head a federal agency. Charles Sadler, CGMP, CHSP, CHSC Executive Director & CEO charles.sadler@sgmp.org | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| April 2, 2012 | The Washington Post Test Top officials of the General Services Administration left the agency on Monday as the GSA inspector general's office readied a "scathing" report on wasteful spending at a Las Vegas training conference in 2010; Martha Johnson submitted her resignation, and Public Buildings Service Commissioner Robert Peck and senior counselor Stephen Leeds were terminated. A fourth manager was put on administrative leave, according to the news report. For more information please read The Washington Post report from Monday afternoon. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 28, 2012 | GSA Schedules Webinar SGMP members have access to a complimentary webinar provided by fedmarket. The author of GSA Schedules: The Shortest Path to Federal Dollars, Richard White, will address questions about GSA Schedules. To register for fedmarket's GSA Schedules course to be held on May 1, 2012, please go directly to their site at http://www.fedmarket.com/l/gsa_schedules/gsa_training/gsa_schedules_101/. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| February 22, 2012 | Free ADA Updated Regulations Webinars SGMP members have access to a series of free webinars provided by the American Hotel & Lodging Association, Asian American Hotel Owners Association and the ADA National Network's "Hospitality Initiative" that will take place through March 21, 2012. These webinars cover changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act including regulations and accessibility standards and will become effective on March 15, 2012. There are five future sessions available covering these topics; each will be 90 minutes in length. The sessions will be moderated by Georgia State Senator Chip Rogers. Registration is required for each session through the ADA website, http://www.adaconferences.org/Lodging/Register/. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 10, 2011 | OGE's Proposed Expansion on Lobbyist Gift Ban Recently, SGMP's Executive Director and CEO, Charles Sadler, CGMP, CHSC, CHSP was interviewed about the potential expansion of the Lobbyist Gift Ban proposed by the Office of Government Ethics. View the article from Meetings & Conventions here. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 9, 2011 | Veterans Day 2011 On Veterans Day, we honor those who have served, are serving, and will continue to serve the United States of America. We wanted to share the President of the United States of America's honorary message with all of our members. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 18, 2011 | Society of Government Meeting Professionals Officially Charters Chapter in San Antonio The San Antonio Alamo chapter of the Society of Government Meeting Professionals (SGMP) received its charter today at a meeting held at the Crowne Plaza Riverwalk. The chapter is based in San Antonio and now represents government meeting professionals in the city's greater metropolitan area. SGMP national first vice president Rhonda Wise, CGMP, presided over a formal ceremony that concluded with the ceremonial passing of the gavel to new chapter president Marissa Howard of the UT Health Services Center in San Antonio. SGMP executive director & CEO Charles Sadler, CGMP, CHSP, CHSC, read the Official Charter Resolution & Decree to the chapter's charter members and guests. "Despite continuing challenges and budgetary constraints in federal, state and local governments, SGMP continues its national growth today by adding our 33nd chapter," Wise announced. The new chapter's petition for a charter was approved by the organization's national board of directors last month after the group had completed several organizational tasks and reached its membership goals. "All of us are so proud to become an official SGMP chapter and to join three other SGMP chapters in Texas. We look forward to providing real value to both planners and suppliers of government meetings in San Antonio." said Howard. More information on the chapter, which holds monthly meetings and other special events, may be found at www.sgmp.org/chapters/alamo.cfm. SGMP membership is available to federal, state or local government employees and to contract employees who are involved in planning government meetings on a full or part-time basis. Membership is also available to suppliers who provide services or facilities to, or derive income from, these meetings. "We are grateful for the exceptional efforts of all of the leaders who led and worked hard in San Antonio to create a local SGMP presence here for government meeting professionals," said Sadler. This new chapter—the fifth chartering since 2009—represents the continued national expansion of SGMP. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 17, 2011 | SGMP Weighs in on OGE Proposal The Society of Government Meeting Professionals (SGMP) upon review of the Office Of Government Ethics (OGE) proposed changes to ethics rules, effecting participation in widely attended gatherings being eliminated for executive branch employees, finds no benefit in this proposal and is opposed to changes in the current policy. The OGE is proposing to further constrict executive branch rules on gifts from lobbyists and organizations that include corporations and trade associations employing lobbyists. SGMP, (a non-lobbying educational non-profit organization) does not oppose proposals that would eliminate a real source of corruption. The OGE proposal, however, could never provide for a corrective policy for an imagined ethics issue. Unfortunately, it will stifle the exchange of information between government and the private sector, potentially impeding the effective operation of government even more than we see today. Plus, if adopted, these unreasonable rules are likely to never be rolled back once approved and in place, creating a wider operating schism between government and the private sector. Establishing more restrictive rules for gifts to government employees from lobbyists and their employers might be justifiable if there were a history of problems in such interactions and if the proposed remedies related to such problems. The OGE, however, has offered no examples or history to justify its proposal for such a radical demarcation line to be created between "good" government and corporations and trade associations. Current federal gift rules allow government employees to interact with business and other organizations, such as attendance at conferences, trade shows and similar events in which substantive information is disseminated and exchanged. From the vantage point of SGMP, this is government involvement and participation in its most professional and positive form. What can be better for our federal agencies and our economy that includes a face to face understanding of industry needs and relationships, than actively exercising the core function of government? Further information regarding SGMP and its mission to improve the quality of, and promote the cost-effectiveness of government meetings visit us at www.sgmp.org (web) or contact us at headquarters@sgmp.org or by calling 703-549-0892. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 29, 2011 | Meeting Industry Responds to Justice Department Report The CEO of the Convention Industry Council (CIC) responds in editorial to the recent Justice Department Report about government meetings. As a member of CIC, SGMP wants to provide all of our members with the message ... details | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| August 25, 2011 | Fiscal Year 2012 Federal Per Diem Rates Announced The new government per diem rates, effective October 1, 2011, have been released by GSA and are now available on the Per Diem section of GSA's website. Select "2012" from the dropdown box above the map of the United States in order to see FY 12 rates. For FY 2012, ADR data indicate that the lodging industry has not returned to the ADR peaks realized prior to 2008. While some NSAs are showing signs of recovery, others have remained flat or continued to decrease below FY 2011 levels. Overall, the NSA rates are similar to FY 2011 as most rates did not increase or decrease more than $5. The six M&IE tiers will remain the same for FY 2012. GSA establishes the per diem rates for the lower 48 continental United States (CONUS), which are the maximum allowances that federal employees are reimbursed for expenses incurred while on official travel. Direct contact information to ask questions to GSA is below. The CONUS per diem rate for an area is actually three allowances: the lodging allowance, the meals allowance and the incidental expense allowance. Most of the CONUS (approximately 2600 counties) are covered by the standard CONUS per diem rate of $123 ($77 lodging, $46 meals and incidental expenses). In fiscal year (FY) 2012, there continue to be about 400 Non-Standard Areas (NSAs) that have per diem rates higher than the standard CONUS rate. Since FY 2005, NSA rates have been based on Average Daily Rate (ADR) data from the lodging industry, which GSA obtains through a contract with a leading provider of lodging industry data. For more about how per diem rates are determined, visit Factors Influencing Lodging Rates. The ADR is a widely accepted lodging-industry measure based upon a property's room rental revenue divided by the number of rooms rented as reported by the hotel property to the contractor. This calculation provides us with the average rate that rooms rent in a given area. As in previous years, GSA still uses: Agencies are reminded that the Federal Travel Regulation allows for actual expense reimbursement when per diem rates are insufficient to meet necessary expenses. Please see FTR §301-11.300 through 306 for more information. Is your agency or organization interested in learning how GSA sets per diem rates? Contact GSA at (202) 208-7642 or jill.denning@gsa.gov for more information. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| August 16, 2011 | National Celebrate Services Day In collaboration with industry partners including CIC and ACOM, SGMP encourages members to participate in National Celebrate Cervices Day. Convention and event services managers team up with meeting planners to produce successful events every day. But one day a year, members of the Association for Convention Operations Management (ACOM) celebrate their professional commitment and the camaraderie of their services colleagues. On August 25, 2011, services managers will gather at dozens of member-hosted events across North America through ACOM's second annual National Celebrate Services Day. These networking receptions and events celebrate the vital role services managers play to meeting planners in the overall success of meetings and events. So that day, week or month, reach out to your hotel, convention center or CVB service managers who have made a positive impact on the success of your events and give them a shout out! Learn more about ACOM and National Celebrate Services Day at www.acomonline.org. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| July 7, 2011 | IRS Announces Increased Mileage Reimbursement The Internal Revenue Service announced on June 23, 2011 that effective July 1, 2011, taxpayers may use new optional standard rates to calculate the deductible costs of operatiing an automobile for business and other purposes. The rate increased from 51 cents per mile for the first months of 2011 to 55.5 cents per mile. It is thought that due to the increase in gas prices, the IRS adjusted their optional rates for the second half of 2011. SGMP members should account for this additional cost in their travel budgets. For more details, please review Announcement 2011-40 from the IRS. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| June 16, 2011 | SGMP Celebrates at 2011 NEC Now viewable in flash video on the SGMP homepage are highlights from the 2011 SGMP National Education Conference in Norfolk, Virginia, held June 8-11, 2011. Nearly 1,000 government meeting professionals travelled to Norfolk for three days of education, resources, and networking. SGMP would like to thank all of our sponsors, members, and leaders for yet another successful conference. We look forward to seeing all of you again in May of 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| May 24, 2011 | SGMP's 2011 NEC is SOLD OUT! The 29th annual SGMP National Education Conference (NEC) in Norfolk, Virginia, on June 8-11, 2011, has sold out. We have reached the maximum physical capacity for registered participants. We cannot allow any additional registrations or exceptions. We have more registered planner attendees than our recent NEC average. We have reserved all available exhibit booth space. There will be no on-site registration. There will be no waiting list. We look forward to connecting with our members at another great conference next month. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| May 18, 2011 | New England Chapter Chartered The New England chapter of the Society of Government Meeting Professionals (SGMP) received its charter today at a meeting held at The Westin Boston Waterfront...details | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| May 2, 2011 | Interest Group Status for San Antonio Alamo Approved SGMP now has a formally-approved Interest Group in San Antonio, Texas. The San Antonio Alamo Interest Group is now working toward earning official chapter status by June 30th. Once chartered, this group will be based out of San Antonio and will represent SGMP in the greater San Antonio area...details | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| May 2, 2011 | Chapter Status for New England Chapter Approved On May 18, 2011, SGMP will formally present a charter in Boston to our 32nd chapter. The New England chapter will be based out of Boston and will represent SGMP in all New England states...details | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| April 26, 2011 | Change in National Terrorism Advisory System The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has updated the reporting of credible threats of terrorist attacks in the United States. Instead of using the color coded system first put into place in 2002, credible threats will now fit into one of two categories, along with details for the alert. Threats will either be categorized as Elevated if there is no specific information about timing or location, or Imminent if the threat is believed to be occurring very soon. Overview of New System Sample of New Alert (PDF) Frequently Asked Questions SGMP Members should always review and be prepared to respond to Elevated and Imminent threats as they impact their travel, security, and meetings. This new method of delivery of vital information about potential domestic terrorism threats should lead to more efficient and effective responses. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| April 6, 2011 | Comprehensive All Member Survey SGMP is now engaging all of our members in the first comprehensive member survey in three years. The anonymous survey was sent via email and responses are due by 4/20/11. We have found that it can be completed in about 15 minutes. The system saves your answers, so you can exit and return to it multiple times, if you like. We want to understand today's members' diverse needs and be enabled to provide a better membership experience to each of you. Your input is important! Questions: contact Lisa at lisa.silverman@sgmp.org. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 23, 2011 | GSA Releases Increased Per Diem Rates The General Services Administration (GSA) recently released FTR Bulletin 11-06 which provided increased government per diem rates in five of the most expensive metropolitan locations. Federal employees on travel in San Bernadino County, CA (Barstow, Ontario, Victorville), San Francisco County, CA (San Francisco), New York/Bronx/Kings/Queens/Richmond Counties, NY (all five New York City burrows), Dauphin County, PA (Hershey and Harrisburg), and Hunt County, TX will be eligible for these new rates as of April 1, 2011. Additionally, as a part of this bulletin, two new counties were added to the government travel per diem list, Lafayette County, MS and Caroline County, VA. For questions about federal per diem rates or the GSA, please visit their website at www.gsa.gov SGMP members should note that these are federal government travel per diem guidelines, which apply to employees of the federal government who are involved in government business that requires travel. For SGMP members who are state employees, please visit your state's travel administration for per diem rates for your government travel. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 21, 2011 | SGMP Elects 2011-2013 National Board of Directors We are pleased to announce the national election results and congratulate our new national leaders. Please see our press release for all details. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| February 17, 2011 | New SGMP Logos and Branding As members may have already noticed, SGMP premiered two new logos this month. In order to create a cohesive set of modern logos, we are excited to launch a new logo for the Gilmer Institute of Trustees. And to honor the 30th anniversary of our Society, a temporary commemorative SGMP logo has also been developed. You will now see both logos proudly featured, in addition to the standard SGMP logo and the existing CGMP logo, in support of the SGMP brand. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| January 28, 2011 | NEC Attendee Registration Now Available We are pleased to announce that attendee registration is now available on our conference website for the 2011 SGMP National Education Conference (NEC) in Norfolk, VA, on June 8-11. ... details | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| January 28, 2011 | SGMP Formally Recognizes New England Interest Group At the Joint Leadership Meeting in Norfolk, VA, the SGMP National Board approved the formation of a formal interest group in the New England area. This puts the New England group one step closer to chartering our 32nd chapter. ... details | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 12, 2010 | 'Meeting Planner' Named One of 2011's 50 Best Careers U.S. News & World Report has published its list of the 50 best careers in 2011 - and "meeting planner" once again is on it. According to the weekly newsmagazine's Dec. 6 report, the employment of meeting and convention planners is expected to grow faster than the average for all professionals over the next decade thanks to the growing importance of meetings to American and global companies and government meetings and contracts. Because the recession has coused a contraction of the meetings industry in the last two years, U.S. News said today's meeting planners have to be "tougher," "willing to negotiate for lower costs and better perks," and "willing to face tough questions on budgets and return on investment." Despite the recession-fueled challenges, however, U.S. News concluded that "most organizations recognize the value of the face-to-face meeting - as not just a perk but an imperative for companies that have greater global reaches." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 5, 2010 | 2011 NEC National Charity Announced We are very proud to announce the selection of the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program (VWWP) as the national charity for the 2011 NEC in Norfolk - a city with a rich military and naval history. It is a couse and a program to which we are all connected simply by being American. For more information on the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program, visit www.wearevirginiaveterans.org | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 29, 2010 | SGMP Open House In honor of the Society of Government Meeting Professionals and its 2010 celebration of Gilmer-Founders Day, SGMP hosted an open house this afternoon at 908 King Street in Alexandria, Virginia. |
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| September 13, 2010 | How To Submit a Request for Review of FY 2011 Per Diem Rates details SGMP outlines this process for our members to address GSA by providing the steps you will need to take and the tips and resources you will want to use. |
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| September 13, 2010 | Rates for FY 2011 Represent Another Swing of the Per Diem Pendulum… details The General Services Administration (GSA) has released its new per diem rates. The rates become effective on October 1st. Per diem is the allowance provided to government employees for lodging (excluding taxes), meals and incidental expenses incurred while on official government travel. |
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| September 1, 2010 | Welcome to SGMP’s Newly Redesigned Website! We are proud to improve the delivery of the message of SGMP through this newly redesigned website. Our website now integrates our association management system, so all members can access members only information, register for events, renew their membership, and more. |
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| August 30, 2010 | New GSA Per Diem Rates Announced The new government per diem rates have just been released by GSA. The new rates are effective October 1, 2010. |
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| August 20, 2010 | CGMP Returns to Washington, DC SGMP is thrilled to announce we are accepting registrations for our CGMP course on September 25-28, 2010 in Washington, DC. We will post information about the host location, as it becomes available. |
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| July 31, 2010 | CGMP Comes to Norfolk, VA This summer, we are proud to continue to offer the Certified Government Meeting Professional (CGMP) course and exam in cities around the country. On August 23-26, 2010, the Norfolk Waterside Marriott is hosting the last CGMP course of the summer series. |
