Because we recognize that government planners and the hospitality industry are companion functions within the meeting planning fields, and

Because sound price cost-effective transactions must be mutually profitable, and

Because cooperation between government meeting planners and suppliers will reduce the cost of meetings with consequent benefits to the hospitality industry and to the national economy as a whole,

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 avoid misrepresentation in all business dealings, recognizing that permanent business relations on a professional level can be maintained only on a basis of HONESTY and fairness.
• To buy and sell on the basis of value, recognizing that value represents that combination of quality of service and price which assures the greatest ultimate economy to the user.
• To respect obligations incurred and neither express nor imply a performance which you cannot reasonable expect to fulfill. 
• To adjust and settle disputes on the basis of facts and fairness only.
• To recognize that CHARACTER is the greatest asset in commerce, and to give it consideration in all business transactions for the betterment of the profession.
• To avoid statements tending in injure or discredit and to divulge no information acquired in confidence with the intent of giving or receiving an unfair advantage in a competitive business transaction.
• To provide, accept or demand no gifts or entertainment in 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 consistently for EDUCATION and growth of KNOWLEDGE within the profession.
• To counsel (mentor) and to accept counsel from colleagues whenever the occasion permits, in the furtherance of the profession, as well as the Society.
• To not use the Society or allow the Society to be used for overt commercial or personal purposes.

Note:

Effective March 1, 1993, SGMP established new guidelines for Professional Conduct and Compliance which enable SGMP members and nonmembers alike to issue a complaint concerning an SGMP member's conduct without going to court.  This process is designed to promote professional behavior by dealing with complaints "In House" and through arbitration.  Anyone wishing to report a violation of the SGMP Code of Ethics should contact a member of the National Board of Directors for additional information.