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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.

History

The Heart of Illinois Chapter organizers began the process of chapter formation in September 1985. On November 21, 1985, the chapter was chartered in Springfield, Illinois. The original name of the chapter was the Springfield Chapter of SGMP. The name changed to Heart of Illinois in 1990, to reflect the regional nature of the chapter's membership.

In the beginning, chapter meetings were luncheons, held on the second Wednesday of each month. In 1992, the date was changed to the third Thursday of each month. The chapter now usually meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month, in conjunction with monthly meetings of the Illinois Society of Association Executives (ISAE).

Events sponsored by the chapter in the past have included a fall Midwest Connection, annual Installation of Officers in June, meeting at the Illinois State Fair in August, an annual Holiday Extravaganza in December, one-day and half-day educational workshops in the spring, summer outings and many other exciting opportunities for chapter members. Chapter members have celebrated 10th, 15th and 20th chapter anniversaries.

Fundraising activities have included silent auctions, monthly meeting 50/50 drawings, monthly meeting Brag-A-Buck, and Trivia Nights. All funds raised at these events have been used as scholarships for members to attend the annual national educational conference. The chapter also reimburses the application fee of all successful CMP candidates.

The chapter has been active with community projects annually. Past projects have included suitcases for foster children, St. Jude's Children's Hospital, the Elizabeth Ann Seaton Foundation for Women, the Y-ME Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation and the national designated charities at each annual conference.

Heart of Illinois Chapter members regularly attend the national SGMP Annual Education Conference. The Heart of Illinois Chapter is a past recipient of the former Chapter of the Year Award. In 2001, the chapter won third place for Newsletter of the Year. In 2005, the chapter won a membership Phoenix Award. Many individual awards have been won by Heart of Illinois members including:

*Sam Gilmer Planner of the Year 1993-Roger Schlatter

*Sam Gilmer Planner of the Year 1996-Steve Hilberg

*Sam Gilmer Supplier of the Year 2000-Sue Vos

*President's Award 1999-Roger Schlatter

*President's Award 2001-Steve Hilberg

*President's Award 2005-Gwenn Eyer

On the National Board, Sue Vos served as Supplier Director in 1991-92; Steve Hilberg served as Secretary (1994-95), Vice President (1995-96) and President (1997-99). He also served as Immediate Past President from 1999-2001. Roger Schlatter served as Planner Director (1995-97) and Secretary (2001-03). Lucy Walker served on the 1996 National Conference Committee's Toys for Tots campaign, and Roger Schlatter served as National Membership chair for many years. The chapter hosted a National Board meeting at the Renaissance Springfield Hotel in 1996.

The Heart of Illinois Chapter honors its members with Planner and Supplier of the Year awards and has done so since 1990. An email newsletter, "The Connection," is sent to members monthly. Current membership is approximately 90.