Membership

As the only professional meetings industry association in Washington specializing in the government market, PNW SGMP offers its members numerous benefits and opportunities for professional development in a variety of ways. All membership is with the National organization, its 26 chapters and approximately 3500 members nationally.

There are four types of membership categories:

GOVERNMENT PLANNER - Member Fee $50

Federal, state, or local government employees who have the responsibility for planning or implementing any type of meeting, conference, or convention as their official duties. Employees of private organizations, a majority of whose membership is comprised of government employees, may also qualify as government planners if they plan and implement meetings as part of their official duties.

CONTRACT PLANNER - Member Fee $125

Individuals, organizations, or companies operating under contract to government agencies, and are receiving said payments directly from government agencies, to assist in the planning or implementation of meetings, conferences or conventions are contract planners by this definition. Individuals, organizations or companies that are compensated through retainer or commission from suppliers, i.e., hotels, conference centers, cities, etc., will be considered suppliers. This means that individuals, organizations or companies whose income in the planning or placement of government meetings, conferences or conventions is derived from suppliers are also considered as suppliers.

SUPPLIER - Membership Fee - $300

Companies or individuals who solicit business from and/or who provide facilities and services to government planners outside of direct assistance in the planning and implementation of meetings. Suppliers include hotel representation firms, travel agencies, convention and visitors bureaus, consulting firms, registration services, airlines, printers, exhibit managers, security services, et.

EDUCATOR/STUDENT/RETIREE - Membership Fee - $25

Individuals who are educators or students who would not otherwise qualify for any other membership category. This is a non-voting category and does not count toward planner/supplier “matching” requirements. This category is not open to anyone who would be eligible for any one of the three other membership categories.

ASSOCIATE SUPPLIER - Membership Fee $225

Individuals, organizations or companies that are compensated through retainer or commission from suppliers (i.e., hotels, conference centers, cities, etc.) will be considered associate suppliers. This means that individuals, organizations or companies whose income in the planning or placement of government meetings, conferences or conventions is derived from suppliers are also considered suppliers.

Membership Type

ORGANIZATION

This type of membership is paid for by and belongs to the company or agency. A representative must be appointed as the SGMP members. The membership is transferable within the company or agency, by its election on letterhead.

INDIVIDUAL

This type of membership is paid for and belongs to the individual, even though he/she may be representing a company or agency. This membership is movable with the individual member, but is not transferable to another member.

NOTE: If a company or agency supports the member by paying the membership fee (directly or through reimbursement), the membership belongs to the organization.