Society of Government Meeting Professionals State of the Chapter 2009

Membership We Are Currently Under a National Headquarters Mandated Supplier Freeze –What this means is that since our ratio of Planner to Supplier members is under 50%, we now need two Planners members for every Supplier member to join. –What this means for our Chapter – basically, we still get our revenue checks from Headquarters every month, but as long as our ratios are down, we are out of the National competitions for Chapters with the highest membership, most consistent ratio, best retention. –Our current ratio based on National Headquarter totals for August 2009: 53 Planners to 57 Suppliers – 110 total members Ratio of 48.2/51.8 Months in a row under 50% - 6 months

Membership (continued) What Do We Plan To Do About It? Continue to promote SGMP membership in state and federal inner agency newsletters. Hold various membership drives, offering incentives to members for bringing in new members. Prospect for potential contract planners that could see SGMP as a great opportunity to increase their client base. Partner with National Headquarters to present a presence at industry tradeshows. Continue to prospect membership drop lists to bring back past members to the chapter and receive leads on new contacts. Continue to remind current members of renewal dates to keep retention levels. Ask for your support and help to get the word out to all prospective members that membership in the Rocky Mountain Chapter of SGMP, is a plus to their training and education in the meetings industry and a boost to their networking capabilities.

Public Relations/Media Marketing Total redesign of the Chapter’s website, unveiled in July Total redesign of the Chapter’s newsletter unveiled in August Articles published: –December 2008 – an article in the “Stateline” newsletter about SGMP co-authored by Claudette Ferris and Chele Clark. –December Kimberly Pease published an article in the “Federal Highway Administration” newsletter. –Article was published in “Colorado Meetings + Events” Spring 2009 issue. This article featured Kimberly Pease and Chele Clark discussing meeting planners limitations, needs and insights, highlighting SGMP whenever possible. The same article was republished in the SGMP’s National Magazine, “Advantage.”

Public Relations/Media Marketing (continued) Updated website hotel banners - Currently we have six hotels advertising on our website including a hotel from Utah, with a total income of $1,100 in revenue to the Chapter. Six new members joined the Public Relations Committee at the July Committee Highlights Meeting. The Chapter is now tracking the hits to the web site. To date the website has had 1,906 hits. The Chapter’s newsletter, published bi-monthly has four regular advertisers at a total revenue back to the Chapter of $2,500 annually.

Programs Monthly Program Evaluation Results on a Scale of 1-5 With 5 Being Highest: –FISH Training, January 27, 2009, Overall Rating –Resilient Leadership & Engaged Teamwork, February 24, 2009, Overall Rating –Certification Jeopardy, April 29, 2009, Overall Rating –Contracts & Liabilities, May 28, 2009, Overall Rating –Honors & Awards, June 23, 2009, Overall Rating –SGMP Committees, July 28, 2009, Overall Rating –Shades of a Green Meeting, August 25, 2009 – Overall Rating

Industry Certifications CGMP – Certified Government Meeting Professional  Must be SGMP member 6 months prior to classes.  Must keep SGMP membership current to maintain certification.  $595 includes; 3 day class, materials, CGMP exam.  Class typically runs 8:30am – 5:00 pm each day.  CGMP Course – Nov , exam Nov. 19, Washington, DC.  CGMP Course – Dec. 7-9, exam Dec. 10, Atlanta, GA.  Re-certify every 3 years. CMP – Certified Meeting Professional  January 9, 2010 exam – application deadline passed.  July 24, 2010 Exam.  March 4, 2010 application deadline.  May 13, 2010 exam registration deadline.  $225 application fee / $450 registration fee / $ study materials.  $ total.  Denver, CO available for exam.  Minimum 3 years experience in meeting management to apply.  Application consists of 150 possible points, must have 90 to qualify.  10 week study group recommended.  Re-certify every 5 years. CHSP – Certified Hospitality Sales Professional  $375 non HMLA members (Hotel Motel Lodging Association).  $275 HMLA members.  Take exam through approved proctor at any time.  Current employment in a CHSP qualifying position.  Re-certify every 5 years.

Industry Certifications (continued) Rocky Mountain Chapter Members Who Have Certifications  Susan Agostinelli, CMP  Lynette, Schick, CMP  Terri Trevino, CGMP  Julie Baehr, CGMP  Kay Bothwell, CMP  Claudette Ferris, CPS/CAP, CGMP  David Glickson, CMP  Joann Kanost, CMP, CGMP  Leslie Navarro, CMP  Sheila Syty, CGMP  Christine Hellvig, CMP  ReBecca Dillahunty, CMP  Kim Hawks, CMP  Stephanie Thompson, CMP  Carly Hayden, CMP

Affiliations – Network for the Needy As part of the Chapter’s community service efforts the Chapter supports the annual Network for the Needy luncheon held at the Denver Merchandise Mart. This event began in 1994, when hospitality organizations decided to work together toward the common goal of ending hunger in our community. Organizations and associations such as SGMP, which make up the Meetings Industry Council of Colorado (MIC), are asked to sponsor a table at the luncheon. The cost is $350 for a table of 10. Board members and/or Chapter members attend the luncheon and network with attendees from other organizations. The event is a wonderful venue with food, fun and original entertainment. Everything is donated, so 100% of the proceeds benefit the Food Bank of the Rockies and its Denver’s Table program. The Chapter Board also encourages member participation by promoting the Network for the Needy’s food drive asking for cash donations or non-perishable food items. The next luncheon is scheduled for Tuesday, November 10, 2009, from 11:30 – 1:00 pm. The Chapter has two seats for the luncheon as door prizes for today.

Affiliations – Meetings Industry Council (MIC) Since 2000 the Meetings Industry Council of Colorado (MIC), consisting of 12 member associations like SGMP, has produced an annual education conference and trade show in Denver. This dynamic conference offers a full day’s educational package, a speakers showcase and trade show and is the signature event for meeting and event professionals in the Rocky Mountain West. Over 600 planners and suppliers have attended this conference in the past. In lieu of having a Chapter program in March, the Board encourages Chapter members to attend the MIC Conference. The registration fees are: Individual Planner Attendee - $99 Supplier Attendee NOT Exhibiting - $125 Single Exhibit Booth (includes 1 attendee) - $675 The next MIC Conference and Trade Show is scheduled for March 17, 2010, at the Denver Sheraton Downtown. Every MIC member association receives revenue from the event based on the number of attendees. This year the Rocky Mountain Chapter of SGMP had 37 members in attendance resulting in revenue of $1,642!

Successes & Accomplishments Successes for Rocky Mountain Chapter of SGMP: –2009 Chapter Merit Award – Overall performance in chapter leadership & operations. –2009 Chapter Membership Growth Recognition – Achieved positive net growth during the fiscal year. –2009 Membership Retention Recognition – Achieved national goal of 80% retention rate during fiscal year. Awards competing for in 2010 – Newsletter and Program of the Year. National Conference - May 19-22, 2010 in Kansas City, Missouri at the Hyatt and Westin Crown Center.

Things to Watch For New to the Chapter: –CEUs are now being offered for our monthly programs. Upcoming Meetings: –October 9-11, Fall Education Conference in Colorado Springs at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. –November 17, Using Technology to Make Work/Life More Productive. –December 8, Meeting Planning Bingo, Silent Auction and Holiday Event. Important for 2010: – Chapter Board Election. –National Conference, May 19-22, 2010, Kansas City, Missouri. –Our June 2010 Honors & Awards Event will be an after work cocktail social setting at the Loews Denver Hotel.

Fall Education Conference Details: –October 9-11, 2009 Crowne Plaza Hotel, CO Springs. –Opening Reception – Cheyenne Mountain Resort. –Workshops, Silent Auction and Tradeshow. –Garden of the Gods tour and lunch. –Saturday evening reception at the Crowne Plaza. –Saturday dinner at the Antlers Hotel. –Silent Auction held throughout the conference. –Adjourn at Noon on Sunday, October 11 th. –National SGMP President, Melody Kebe is attending and also two Board members from the North Texas Chapter. Great News: –Carly Hayden has volunteered to be the Chair of the next Fall Education Conference in 2010, location to be determined.