Upcoming Events 

1-day Annual Chapter Education Conference

Mark your calendars, clear your schedules, and point your GPS toward Alexandria — because the SGMP Louisiana Chapter 2026 Annual Education Conference is almost here and it is shaping up to be one of the most exciting and meaningful chapter events in our twenty-year history!

Thursday, November 12, 2026 at the Four Points by Sheraton | Alexandria, Louisiana

This year’s conference theme — Learn. Connect. Achieve. Celebrate! — says it all. We are bringing together government meeting planners, suppliers, hospitality partners, and industry professionals from across Louisiana for a full day of exceptional education, meaningful connection, and a very special celebration of 20 Years of Excellence in Government Meeting Planning for the SGMP Louisiana Chapter. Two decades of showing up for this profession and for each other — and we are celebrating in style!

Here is what is waiting for you on November 12th:

8:30 AM — Welcome & Introductions
Start the day with chapter announcements, warm welcomes, and a greeting from our host property, the Four Points by Sheraton Alexandria. Set your intentions, connect with fellow attendees, and get ready for a day packed with learning and laughter.

9:00 AM — 10:30 AM | Opening Session
Meeting Planner Apps — What’s New?
Presented by Susan Shaffette, CGMP (Team Dynamics, LLC) and Tunney Barrett (Retiree Member)

Discover how modern meeting planner apps are transforming the way teams organize, schedule, and manage meetings. Susan and Tunney will walk you through the latest tools and features that simplify coordination, reduce scheduling conflicts, and improve collaboration — including automation and AI-powered capabilities that are changing the game for government meeting professionals right now. This session is approved for 1.5 hours of CE for Core Competency of Technology.

10:45 AM — 12:00 PM | Morning Session
Canva for Beginners: Create Professional Designs with Confidence
Presented by Christina Lewis, CGMP (Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development)

Ready to bring your ideas to life without a graphic design background? Your Chapter President Christina Lewis is taking us all to Canva school — and whether you are creating social media graphics, flyers, newsletters, or event materials, you will leave this hands-on session with the confidence and skills to design polished, professional content quickly and efficiently. Also approved for 1.5 hours of CE for Core Competency of Technology.

12:00 PM — 1:00 PM | Lunch
Take a breath, refuel, and enjoy some of the best part of any SGMP event — the conversations that happen over a shared meal with people who truly understand this profession. This is where connections are made and collaborations begin!

1:00 PM — 2:00 PM | Afternoon Session
Contract Basics Roundtable: Understanding the Fundamentals
Moderated by Carolyn Barrett, CGMP

Contracts are the backbone of everything we do as government meeting professionals — and this interactive roundtable will demystify the essentials. Whether you are new to reviewing agreements or looking to sharpen your foundational knowledge, Carolyn Barrett will guide a collaborative discussion covering contract components, common terms and clauses, the contract lifecycle, and best practices for managing agreements effectively. Approved for 1.5 hours of CE.

2:00 PM — 2:45 PM | Break & Awards Presentation
This is the moment we have been building toward all year — the SGMP Louisiana Chapter Awards Presentation! Join us as we honor the outstanding planners, suppliers, and chapter champions who have gone above and beyond for this organization and this profession in 2026. Light snacks, big recognition, and well-deserved celebration! ?

2:45 PM — 4:00 PM | Closing Session
Planner & Supplier Rumble: The Ultimate Collaboration Challenge
Moderated by Carolyn Barrett, CGMP (Visit Kenner) with Sharon Delvisco, DSW, LMSW, CGMP (Team Dynamics, LLC) and Andy LeBouef, CGMP (New Orleans & Company)

Close out the conference with the session everyone will be talking about! The Planner & Supplier Rumble puts planners and suppliers head-to-head in the ultimate collaboration challenge — a fun, fast-paced, and fiercely competitive exploration of the best practices, real-world scenarios, and professional dynamics that define the planner-supplier relationship. Bring your knowledge, your competitive spirit, and your sense of humor — this one is not to be missed! Approved for 1.5 hours of CE.

4:00 PM — 4:15 PM | Closing Remarks
Christina Lewis, CGMP — Chapter President 

A Special Thank You to Our Sponsors: This conference would not be possible without the generous support of our incredible sponsors. A heartfelt thank you to our Leader Sponsor, Visit Kenner, and our Supporting Sponsor, Team Dynamics, LLC — your investment in this chapter and this profession makes every event we produce possible. We are deeply grateful.

20 Years of Excellence — and Counting This conference is not just an education event — it is a milestone celebration. Twenty years ago, a dedicated group of Louisiana government meeting professionals came together with a shared vision: to build a chapter community that would elevate this profession, support its members, and make Louisiana a recognized leader in government meeting excellence. Everything we do on November 12th honors that founding vision and looks forward to the next twenty years of chapter life together.

Hotel Accommodations: The Four Points by Sheraton has reserved a block of rooms.

Book your group rate for LA SGMP November Meeting

Questions? Reach out to your chapter leadership — we cannot wait to see you there!

REGISTER

Chapter Holiday Party
Planners & Suppliers 

Ethics in the Grey Zone: FAM trips, Rewards, and Vendor Relationships
Examine practical ethics case studies to strengthen decision-making and ensure compliance in government meetings.
Ethics
Planners & Suppliers – Hybrid 

Meeting Planning Apps & Mardi Gras Celebration
Explore practical apps and digital tools that help government meeting professionals plan smarter, communicate effectively, and stay organized.
Technology
Planners & Suppliers – Hybrid 

20th Chapter Anniversary Celebration
Celebrate SGMP Louisiana’s 20th Anniversary with Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser as we honor two decades of leadership, collaboration, and service while looking ahead to the chapter’s future.
Planners & Suppliers - Hybrid - LA DOTD 

Dealing with Difficult People: The Supplier Perspective
Discover practical approaches for building stronger supplier relationships while navigating difficult conversations and expectations.
Personal & Professional Dev.
Planners & Suppliers – Hybrid 

Canva Basics
Explore the fundamentals of Canva to create professional, eye-catching graphics for presentations, social media, marketing materials, and chapter communications
Technology
Planners & Suppliers – Hybrid 

Board Retreat
We will focus on strategic planning, budgeting, and aligning chapter initiatives for continued growth and success.
Education & Programming
Planners & Suppliers - Hybrid - LA DOTD

Registration Fees

Planner Member $25
Supplier Member $35
1st or 2nd time attendee Non-Member Guest $0
Non-Member Guest $45
Retiree $25