On October 29, 1981, the Society of Government Meeting Professionals (SGMP), then called the Society of Government Meeting Planners, was based only in the Washington D.C. area and had no chapters. While visiting in Washington, D.C. David A. Smart of David A. Smart & Associates Hotel/Convention Bureau Representatives, attended an SGMP function. Accepting a bid for SGMP expansion, he brought back the idea of forming SGMP in Chicago. The local hospitality industry began the chapter formation meetings and development strategies over the next few months and, on April 15, 1985, Carl Thompson, one of the founding officers of SGMP, came to Chicago and held the official charter ceremony at the Midland Hotel. The SGMP Chicago Chapter became the first chapter chartered in SGMP!
In the beginning, the Chicago Chapter held meetings, hosted by Lucille Pennington, Sales Managers, at the then Pick Congress Hotel, 520 South Michigan Avenue. Besides David Smart and Lucille Pennington, other members of the Chicago hospitality group, who also serve as charter members of the Chicago Chapter, are William "Bill" Williams, Associate Vice-President of Sales, Chicago Convention and Visitors and Tourism Bureau, Sarah Hudson-Feldman, Allerton Hotel, Tom Haney, Radisson Suites O'Hare, Helga Hausner, Sales Manager, Bismark Hotel, Steven Boem, Destination Management Company and Shirley Whitney, Oxford House Hotel.
Membership in the Chicago chapter includes meeting planners from the federal, state and local governments as well as service providers from all segments of the hospitality indurstry. One of the hallmarks of the Chicago Chapter's growth process was setting the pace for SGMP National. In 1988, Chicago Chapter President, Sandi Lynn, Certified Meeting Planner (CMP) and Membership Chair, Phyllis Hartford, were recognized for growing the chapter with the with the most new members per capita.
The Chicago Chapter enjoys several first in SGMP. Chicago and Springfied Chapters were chartered within four months of each other, making Illinois the first state to have two chapters. As sister chapters, the Chicago and Springfield (now the Heart of Illinois) Chapters jointly sponsored the "Midwest Connection" - two days of edcuational seminars, networking and special events.
In 1987, Sandi Lynn, then a government executive, became the first woman to be elected and to serve two terms as the Chicago Chapter President. During her term in office, she became the first person in Illinois government to attain the CMP designation. With Lynn's leadeship, the Chapter successfully lobbied to have the SGMP National Education Conference (NEC) held in Chicago at the Hyatt Regency Hotel - Building for the Future - making it the first NEC to be held outside of the Washington D.C. area. Lynn was later elected to serve two-terms as the SGMP National President making her, not only the first female to lead SGMP nationally, but also the first woman of color to lead a major planning association. In 1991, Lynn, CMP, was honored as Planner of the Year, receiving SGMP's highest honor, the Sam Gilmer Award.
The Chicago Chapter's highest priorities continue to be their strong emphasis on enhancing the knowledge of its members in meeting planning through educational and informative programs, establishing a stronger networking bond between planners and suppliers, participating and supporting other meeting planning organizations and reinforcing their commitment and involvement in SGMP National. The Chapter engages in community goodwill. Each year since its inception, the SGMP Chicago Chapter has donated various items, i.e., clothing, toys, food, etc., and monetary contributions to charitable organizations in conjunction with its Annual Holiday Party event.
As the Chicago Chapter continues to build, we invite qualified planners in all government agencies and suppliers of services to government meeting to join us in this effort.
