SGMP is all about the education and it’s the time of year to take advantage of all you can get through the annual education conferences!

Our Heart of America Annual Education Conference will be here before you know it; March 20th at the Plaza Marriott.  We have some great speakers lined up on Disaster Preparedness, Green Meetings, Business Dining Etiquette, Leadership and Going Social for Business.  If you have not signed up yet, it’s not too late.   Get your registration in. Did you know that Government Planners once again have the option to have their memberships paid or renewed through their registration fee for the Ed Con?  Just “Opt In” on the registration form and the chapter will take care of it.  A plus for all attendees is that everyone receives education contact hours for the time spent at training.  We are looking forward to seeing you all there!

Then get ready for the SGMP National Education Conference in New Orleans, LA, May 16-18 2012.  If you have never been to the National EdCon, it is an experience you will never forget.  The contacts you make with other planners and suppliers from all over the country, the many education session choices you can attend, and the camaraderie of the whole group is phenomenal.  You always come back to your office revived and with lots of new information to make our jobs easier.  Education contact hours are also earned for the training.  Go on to www.sgmp.org/conference  to see the agenda and register.  We have about seven HOA members attending that we know of now and would love to see a lot more of you. 

Also please remember our monthly meetings. Our Board Members have put a lot of effort in choosing topics and venues for our members.  If you have suggestions for an upcoming meeting, please do not hesitate to let us know how we can assist you in your mission. Education is the key to our success!  Have a good one.

Tausha Freeman, CGMP

Business Management Specialist

General Services Administration (GSA)

The month of October marked the 30th Anniversary when a small group of government planners and industry partners established SGMP and it’s mission to improve the quality of, and promote the cost-effectiveness of government meetings.

In celebration of this milestone we invite you to experience the benefits of membership for one year at only $30.00. That is a very small investment for a BIG return on your professional development! (Offer is available to "new" government planner memberships and valid October 1— March 31, 2012)

Special $30 Membership Fee for New Government Planners!

SGMP Benefits: Meeting Planning Focus, Monthly Training Programs, Online Education, Certificate Programs, Quarterly Magazine, Earn the CGMP designation

Connect To...

New Planner Members

To qualify for this special offer you must plan meetings or events for your federal, state or municipal agency, be a "new" planner member or have not been a member in the last 12 months. For more information call 703-549-0892

Mike Downard—Membership Manager

Michael.Downard@sgmp.org

If your office has a window, go ahead and look up - can you see what is going on and can people see you? If not, go ahead and remove all the accumulated papers, posters, etc., that block the view, then clean the windows for a clearer view. If curtains are drawn or shades are down, put them up or take them down. As trivial as it seems to open up your window, it has subtle implications – allows for eye contact, opens up communication opportunities, encourages office organization, promotes open door communication, allows you to detect potential problems in the making AND it makes your space feel bigger! 

Take pride in your office work space, if your chair is from the 1970’s go ahead and buy a nice new chair but don’t spend the day in it.  Do you have books and binders that have been on your shelf for years?  When was the last time you looked at them?  If it’s been more than three years, it’s time to donate it to someone else or just get rid of it.  Sometimes clearing and cleaning your administrative work space also clears your mind from the clutter and allows for unobstructed thought. With an open clean window, start on a project you’ve been procrastinating to begin. Invite staff and co-workers in and give them your thoughts on how they are doing.  We can all use a little unbiased mentoring…especially in an open and clean work area.

So what are you waiting for?   Clear your window, clean your area and move your desk….face your day with a new attitude.  It doesn’t take much to refresh our minds and prepare them for our day to day duties and challenges.

Submitted by Lori Haskell, CGMP

Name: Larry L. Myers

Title: District Executive Officer

Current Employer: US Army Corps of Engineers

How long have you been in the industry: 35 years

How long have you been in SGMP: 12 years

Most notable meeting/event moment: The most notable meeting was when I was co-chair of the 2002 Society of American Military Engineers National Education Training Conference and Exhibition. There were over 1,000 attendees here in Kansas City.

Worst meeting/event mishap: The worst meeting experience I had was I was the lead meeting planner for 100 people for the US Army Corps of Engineers for a meeting here Kansas City. The hotel rolled out a continental breakfast in our room and was enjoyed by all. I thought this was an excellent way to show us their appreciation. Come to find out it was delivered to the wrong room (as we didn’t order a continental breakfast. Midway thru the morning session the hotel came in the room and removed the breakfast which they had delivered which was embarrassing. I learned an invaluable lesson to always review the banquet order with the banquet manager as well as the hotel sales manager at the end of each day and the beginning of the next day. Lol!

Hometown: Kansas City

What is something unique that most members may not know about you: I’m really an introvert.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now: I see myself in another career having tackling challenging situations, having fun and enjoying my family.

Name: Jenai Ballinger

Title: Assistant Controller

Current Employer: The Elms Hotel and Spa

How long have you been in the industry: 11 years

How long have you been in SGMP: About 5 years

Most notable meeting/event moment: We had a group at the hotel that rented out the entire hotel. They brought in pool tables, arcade games, a huge inflatable tire driving game. It was exciting to see the hotel transform to basically a huge arcade for a weekend.

Worst meeting/event mishap: We had a car group at our hotel for a weekend. They took up our whole parking lot as well as we allowed them to park on the grounds. We had specifically took our spinklers off the timer so they would not damage the cars or get them wet. About the 3rd day into the conference, the sprinklers went off during the middle of the night soaking some of the cars interior. There was no permanent damage to the cars but now we definitely double check the system every night when a car group comes.

Hometown: Excelsior Springs, MO

What is something unique that most members may not know about you: The Elms Hotel and Spa is the only job I have ever worked. I have moved from almost every department in the hotel within 11 years.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now: Well I am only 27, so I hope to still be working in the hotel industry. Now if I win the lottery I hopr to be living on a beach somewhere! I can wish, right?!

Congratulations to our 2012-2014 Board Members

President - Tausha Freeman

1st Vice President - Danna O'Neill

2nd Vice President - Lori Haskell

Treasurer - Jenai Ballinger

Secretary - Open Position

Balance as of February 29, 2012:

Checking:   $4478.17

Savings:   $126.32

The Membership Committee plays a vital role of member retention and recruitment as well as increasing our planner to supplier membership ratio.

With a 60/40 ratio requirement, the Membership Committee looks to our members to assist in new member recruitment efforts.  This committee also works with planner and supplier members to encourage members to bring guests to monthly meetings.  This committee strives to achieve maximum exposure to planners and suppliers for an increased membership base.

Marketing through city and regional media

New member orientation and introductions

Planner and supplier buddy system

 Planner Members   11

Supplier Members  22

 Ratio Members   33

 Planner Ratio   33.3%

 Others Members 2

Total Members  35

The Hospitality Committee is continually communicating with chapter members to keep the level of involvement at its maximum.

• Print, house and distribute members’ nametags
• Member and guest greeting
• Distribution of meeting materials 
• Management of attendee drawings
• Personal calls to members who have missed the last two meetings

Our Program Committee focuses on continued education, personal growth, and networking amongst our members.  This committee focuses on program topics, speakers, additional materials for reading, and program locations.

*Member surveys VIA www.surveymonkey.com

*At least 10 chapter meetings annually (2 or less focused on personal development & 8 or more    focused on professional development or meeting education)

*Meet the needs of member education

*Follow guidelines of national education requirements

*Sam Gilmer CEU Credit’s Program

*Evaluations and speaker’s certificates

In honor of SGMP's 30th anniversary a cookbook is being born. Cheryl Wierenga is our cookbook liason and will be working with us to showcase our chapter. Below is the link to the Survey Monkey that is set up for members to enter their favorite recipes and SGMP stories.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SGMP30thAnniversaryCookbook 

If you have any questions please contact Cheryl at 503-331-4972 or cwierenga@portlanddoubletree.com.

2012 National Education Conference in New Orleans, LA

The 2012 SGMP NEC will be held in New Orleans, LA, on May 16- 19, 2012. This will be our 30th annual NEC - the biggest annual event in the government meetings industry - is where government professionals from across the country come together for one-stop and non-stop education, resources and networking.    

Cajun Seafood Pasta

1 Tsp                      Olive Oil                                                Sauté

1 pinch                   Salt and Pepper Mix                           Season Scallops                                                  

3 ea                        Sea Scallops, 10/20                           Sear in oil quickly abductor muscle              removed, remove from pan

1 oz                        Andouille Sausage, ¼” bias              Sear to render fat                                

2 Tbsp                   ¼” diced red peppers                         Sauté                                     

8 oz                        Cajun Lobster Stock                           Add                       

2oz                         Broken Shrimp                                     Add                                                                                                       

9 oz                        Penne Pasta, cooked al dente         Add heat through

2 oz                        Jonah Crabmeat                                 Add       

1 oz                        Tomato, concasee ¼”                        Add                       

1 oz                        Parmesan Cheese                            Add

                                11” Pasta                                             Toss

1 Tsp                      Green onions, ¼” sliced                   Sprinkle over sea scallops

February 15, 2012

Host Hotel:  The Q Hotel + Spa

Program: “Hotel Safety & Security: Looking Beyond the Peephole"

January 18, 2012

Host Hotel:  Union Hill Residence Inn

Program: "Government Contracts & How to do Business with the Military"

December 14, 2011

Host:  Ronald McDonald House

Program: “Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City"
 

March 20 - Annual Education Conference 8am-4pm

Host Hotel:  Marriott Country Club Plaza

Details and registration information can be found online.