About Us

Mission Statement

The Society of Government Meeting Professionals, Inc. (SGMP) is a national organization dedicated to improving the knowledge and expertise of individuals in the planning and management of government meetings through education and industry.

Purpose

SGMP is a non-profit professional organization of persons involved in planning government meetings -- either on a full or part-time basis -- and those individuals who supply services to government planners.

Our objectives are to improve the quality and promote the cost-effectiveness of government meetings.

Business Plan

1st Strategic Focus       MEMBERSHIP

  • Objective: Recruit and retain membership
  • Target: Planners and 50/50 membership
  • Goal:  Increase by 5% in the next year 
  • Actions:
    • Coordinate with national on a recruiting drive
    • Focus on specific groups
    • Government related associations
    • Universities
    • Public schools
    • Cities and counties
    • Prove return on investment

2nd Strategic Focus    Volunteer Leadership

  • Objective: Recruit leaders who take ownership
  • Target: Strengthen board and committees
  • Goal: To have creative and active leadership
  • Actions:
    • Establish and share a list of duties for each committee
    • Establish and share a list of duties for each board member
    • Encourage committee involvement before board commitment
    • Committees to create action plan
    • Board to support committees and guide them

3rd Strategic Focus    Education/Resources/Networking

  • Objective: Quality programming and a positive networking experience
  • Target: Professional and Educational speakers on relevant topics
  • Goal: Plan meeting dates and programs 3 to 6 months out
  • Actions: 
    • Offer CEUs at every program
    • Use Gilmer Institute as a resource for programs
    • Outline core competencies and build programs around them  ( CMS/GMS)
    • Broaden educational experiences outside of chapter members presenting
    • Invite State Treasurer’s  Office to discuss travel, $$ and policy
    •  Offer dual speakers for suppliers and planners

4th Strategic Focus    Ethics, Governance and Operations

  • Objective: Maintain policy and procedure manual and follow it by SGMP Natl guidelines
  • Target: Ethical and friendly environment
  • Goal:
  • No complaints and a transparent environment
  • Actions:
    • Transparency in Chapter Operations
    • Post and share minutes and financial information
    • Follow Members Bill of Rights
    • Review Policies and Procedures Manual annually

5th Strategic Focus    Communication

  • Objective: Utilizing available resources consistently to improve communication
  • Target: Members and Non Members
  • Goal: Keeping in touch with Members and Recruits
  • Actions: 
    •  E-mail members on meeting dates one month out & then 1 or 2 weeks out
    • Utilize social media to keep in touch
    • Assign specific duties to volunteers
  • Review and update website monthly
  • Take pictures and post on website
  • Newsletter
  • Adhere to schedule and marketing plan

6th Strategic Focus    Financial Stability

  • Objective:  Positive cash flow and financial accountability
  • Target: Maintain certain $$ amount monthly and have a balanced budget
  •   Goal: Submit monthly reports to Natl as required
  • Actions: 
    • A monthly agenda which all members receive showing financial situation/membership etc. 
    • Fund raising committee
    • Increase membership and meeting attendance
    • Raffles
    • Advertising Sales

7th Strategic Focus    Visibility and Marketing

  • Objective: Keep SGMP visible and in a positive light
  • Target:  Consistency with Branding and Marketing
  • Goal: Generate awareness of SGMP and its benefits
  • Actions:   
    • Create marketing materials
    • Maintain website
    • Exhibit at industry events
    • Promote collaboration with industry partners
    • Promote upcoming events

8th Strategic Focus    Building on Strengths

  • Objective: Outline chapter strengths
  • Target:  Retain committed, enthusiastic charter planners and suppliers
  •   Goal:  Keep membership losses of existing charter members to less than 5%
  • Actions: 
    • Reach out to all charter members whose membership is about to expire and encourage them to renew their membership
    • Continue to highlight members in chapter newsletter and on our website

9th Strategic Focus   Relationship with National

  • Objective:  Maintain strong communication channel with SGMP National
  • Target:  At least 1 educational program per year should be presented to KY Bluegrass Chapter by SGMP National member. 
  • Goal:  Build on existing relationship with SGMP National
  • Actions: 
    • Promote utilization of SGMP National Website
    • Notify membership when National Speaker will present at a monthly meeting

SGMP Promotes Professional Development Through:

  • Promoting and improving communication, understanding and cooperation between planners and suppliers
  • Expanding the knowledge and abilities of planners and suppliers
  • Researching, analyzing and translating regulatory policies and legislative issues that affect government meetings
  • Providing guidance and advice to government meeting managers regarding all phases of planning, executing, and evaluating government meetings.

Educational Meetings

The Chapter holds monthly educational meetings focusing on building the skills necessary to plan better, cost effective and more efficient government meetings, as well as developing the relationships which will enable planners and suppliers to work together more effectively.

Interesting and Industry specific Monthly Educational Meetings are very important and we have covered various subjects such as:

“eMARS and RFP’s?”, “Protocol Primer”, “Bring the site Visit to you-Partnership Trade Show” Government Toolbox 101, Crisis Management, “It’s not Easy being Green” and “Contract Negotiations" to name a few.

Many monthly meetings are CEU accredited (Continuing Education Credits) and in the future over half of the meetings will be CEU accredited.

Community Involvement

Giving back to the community is important to SGMP and we are just getting started. Fundraising activities we have participated in are Food-Raising for the Kings Center in Frankfort. The Kings Center is a non-profit (501(b) (c)) agency that depends on the generous support of people, organizations, churches, and businesses in the Frankfort/Franklin County community. All contributions benefit the children and families participating in our program. They encourage young people to not only pursue their individual dreams, but also to broaden their interests and to face new challenges. They place a lot of emphasis on providing children and teenagers with academic, cultural, and social experiences they might not otherwise have, and they firmly believe that anything is possible for them now and in the future. They also welcome and support the families of our participants, as well as the community at-large, and try to be of service whenever and wherever they can.

Another program is Yarn-Raising for the Cancer Action Program in Kansas City, Missouri. Cancer Action nonprofit organization in Kansas City is the National Society of Government Meeting Planners special charity for the 2010 National Conference. They provide financial assistance, rides to doctor offices, chemo sessions and hand-made personal items for cancer stricken patients. The yarn raised at the conference will provide over 200 blankets for their clients.

Partnership is important to us in spirit and in deed. We hope to create a cooperative relationship between planners and suppliers to share responsibility for achieving the same specific goals that will benefit both mutually and create efficient, cost effective, informative meetings.