Code of Ethics

The Society of Government Meeting Professionals (SGMP) hereby acknowledges the following:

  • Government planners and suppliers provide related services within the meeting planning field.
  • Cooperation between government meeting planners and suppliers will reduce the cost of meetings with advantages to the hospitality industry and to the national economy.
  • Sound cost-effective transactions must be mutually beneficial.
  • Diversity, equity, and inclusion are critical to industry success. 

Definitions
SGMP acknowledges that understanding root causes of disparities is key to improving diversity, equity, and inclusion. 
 
Diversity includes differences, perceived or actual, among individuals or groups. We embrace a broader definition of diversity that includes but is not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, mission-relevant experience, age, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, education, marital status, language(s) spoken, and physical appearance.
 
Equity is fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all people while working to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented full participation of some groups. We will increase justice and fairness within the procedures and processes of institutions and systems, as well as in their distribution of resources.
 
Inclusion is a culture of making everyone feel welcomed, respected, supported, valued, and able to fully participate regardless of differences. An inclusive culture fosters diversity of thought, ideas, perspectives, and values. Inclusion creates an environment where individuals are accepted, reflected, and respected in SGMP membership. 

We, therefore, subscribe to the following standards of professionalism in the relationship between government meeting planners and suppliers, and within the industry as a whole:

  • To promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in all relationships, interactions, and collaborations within SGMP. 
  • To engage in business transactions in SGMP and other professional endeavors with honesty, integrity, fairness, inclusion, and confidentiality. 
  • To buy and sell based on value including quality of service and price. 
  • To respect obligations incurred that neither express nor imply a performance which you cannot reasonably expect to fulfill.
  • To adjust and settle disputes based solely on facts and fairness.
  • To avoid statements that may injure, discredit, or betray confidentiality of information with the intent of giving or receiving an unfair advantage in a competitive business transaction.
  • To neither provide nor accept gifts or entertainment, under the guise of sales expense, where the intent or effect is to unduly influence the recipients in favor of the donor, and to renounce all forms of commercial bribery.
  • To strive constantly for education and growth of knowledge within the profession.
  • To counsel or mentor — and to accept counsel from colleagues — whenever the occasion permits, for the advancement of the profession and SGMP.
  • To not use SGMP, or allow SGMP to be used, for overt commercial or personal purposes.