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Pittsburgh—Now, It’s official: Government Meeting Planners in the City of Pittsburgh now have an organization to call their own.The Greater Pittsburgh chapter of the Society of Government Meeting Professionals (SGMP) received its charter in June at a meeting held at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel. The charter means that the Pittsburgh organization is the 31st chapter of the Society of Meeting Professionals.

"We are so excited about becoming an official SGMP chapter,” said Karen Lockhart, who is the first President of the new chapter. “We look forward to providing real value to both planners and suppliers of government meetings in Pittsburgh, western Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.”

SGMP membership is available to Federal, state or local government employees and to contract employees who are involved in planning government meetings on a full or part-time basis. Membership is also available to suppliers who provide services or facilities to, or derive income from, these meetings. According to the organization, its annual conference saw an increase in attendance, SGMP membership is up 15 percent compared to last year, and the Pittsburgh branch is the third new SGMP chapter since 2009.

“We are very excited to formally recognize the Greater Pittsburgh chapter, as its meeting professionals can now stay connected to government meetings by plugging into SGMP,” said Charles Sadler, Executive Director & CEO, SGMP. “This new chapter caps off another fantastic fiscal year for SGMP.”

Last month’s annual conference saw increased attendance, membership is up 15% over the past year, and this is the third new chapter to charter since 2009.   

Rob Coffman, National First Vice president of SCGMP, presided over a formal ceremony that concluded with the ceremonial passing of the gavel to Lockhart Carolyn Barrett, National Second Vice President of SGMP read aloud the Official Charter Resolution & Decree.

Afterwards, Coffman declared: “Despite continuing challenges and budgetary constraints in federal, state and local governments, SGMP continues its national growth today by adding our 31st chapter.”

SGMP is the only professional organization in the United States dedicated exclusively to government meetings. SGMP is a national non-profit organization of nearly 4,000 members, now in 31 chapters who are involved in planning government meetings.