Chartered: January 24, 1990

Chapter History

The Society of Government Meeting Professionals is a non-profit professional organization of persons involved in planning government meetings, and those individuals who supply services to government planners. It is the only national organization in the United States dedicated exclusively to the government meeting market. The organization's objectives are to enhance the quality and promote the cost effectiveness of government meetings by improving the knowledge and expertise of individuals through education, training, and development of industry relationships.

The Society of Government meeting professionals was established in October 1981 in Washington, DC. Today, the Society spans the nation with 32 chapters and more than 3,300 members. SGMP is managed by an Executive Director and governed by a national board of directors and officers elected by the membership.

The idea for a Michigan SGMP chapter was conceived at the 1988 National SGMP Education Conference in Chicago by Steve Bowers (Michigan Department of Labor) and Pat Garvey (Westin Hotel, Detroit). Planning took almost two years and with the support of Lansing and Detroit Convention and Visitor's Bureaus, the Great Lakes State Chapter was established on January 24, 1990 The chapter was renamed the Michigan Chapter in 2004. Since its inception the Chapter has grown to over 130 members and represents a cross section of government employees, association planners, and service providers from across the State.

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