SGMP NEC 2026

Speakers and Sessions

The 2026 National Education Conference (NEC) will take place June 9-11, 2025 at the Colonial Williamsburg Lodge in Williamsburg, Virginia. Session information for our 2026 NEC will be available in November 2025. 

Submit your proposal for an education session at the NEC! Proposals are due by November 21, 2025 at 5pm EST. 

Submit Your Proposal

Keynote Sessions

  • Industry Keynote - Wednesday, June 10, 2026 @ 8:00 am
  • State of the Industry Panel - Thursday, June 11, 2026 @ 12:30 pm

Learning Labs

Rooted Events: Collaborating with Local Community & CVBs for Meaningful Impact

Bray School and First Baptist Church  

  • Identify local community groups, businesses, cultural organizations, and CVB resources that can contribute divergent perspectives and help co-create event content and experience. 
  • Learn how to involve local voices early on (e.g. in planning, programming, vendor selection, promotion) to ensure the event reflects and resonates with the community’s diversity of experiences and needs. 
  • Understand and apply practices (like accessible communications, logistical support, culturally responsive storytelling, venue choice) that make community participation feel valued, welcomed, and equitable. 

Historic Jurisdiction & Modern Protocol: Managing Permits, Compliance, & Stakeholder Relations in Heritage Settings

  • Understand local, state, and federal permitting and compliance (e.g. for heritage buildings/sites, archeological oversight, site protection) required for events in historically significant areas. 
  • Learn best practices for coordinating among stakeholders — preservation boards, local government, heritage trusts, community groups — including early engagement and ongoing communications. 
  • Identify ways to balance logistical needs (e.g. accessibility, safety, infrastructure) with preservation of site character and compliance constraints. 

Sustainable Infrastructure & Local Suppliers: Building Resilient Event Operations with Regional Partners

Sports Center

  • Map and evaluate local supply/demand ecosystems: find certified, reliable local vendors/suppliers for food, decor, production, logistics to reduce risk and build local economy. 
  • Learn strategies for integrating sustainability (waste reduction, local sourcing, energy use, transportation) into event infrastructure without compromising on quality or compliance. 
  • Build contingency plans and quality assurance protocols for vendor performance, especially when collaborating with smaller/regional suppliers who may have less capacity but local advantage. 

On the Move: Navigating Transportation Logistics for Government Events

Oleta

  • Explore strategies for evaluating and selecting transportation partners that meet federal, state, and organizational compliance requirements. 
  • Identify cost-effective and sustainable approaches to moving attendees safely and efficiently between venues, hotels, and off-site locations. 
  • Learn how to collaborate with CVBs, municipalities, and local transportation providers to address accessibility, risk management, and contingency planning. 

Breakout Sessions

SGMP 2026 National Education Conference will feature twenty-one (21) breakout sessions on Wednesday, June 10 and Thursday, June 11.