About SGMP NATCAP

Society of Government Meeting Professionals National Capital Chapter is a nonprofit professional organization of persons involved in planning government meetings and those individuals who supply services to government planners. The National Capital Chapter (NATCAP) is the nation’s largest of the 27 chapters. Members of NATCAP span the entire country, but the geographical center of the chapter is the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

The National Capital Chapter (NATCAP) was chartered in April 1986, almost four years after SGMP was formally organized. Initially, the chapter and the national organization were viewed as one in the same since most members of the national board were also NATCAP members. Soon after the first year, NATCAP established it's own identity and flourished.

The first elected Board included Ed Heitov, President; Rance Willis, President-Pro-Tem; Saundra Cox, Vice President; Elaine Wilcomb, Secretary; Trish Orem, Treasurer; Dorothy Bondurant, Kathy Fiscus, and Eva Ring, Members at Large. These members "volunteered" to chair chapter committees: Rhett Stogner and Sara Torrence, Program; Jim King and Georgia Foster, Membership; Eva Ring, Publicity/PR; Jane Schienle, Education; and Jane Garner, Awards. One of the first orders of business at the initial Board meeting was to decide on a name for the chapter. "National Capital Chapter" unanimously won out among several good suggestions.

The chapter now produces printed and electronic newsletter editions, conducts an annual trade show and monthly educational programs, provides an annual summer event and members participate in various community activities. The support for these and other-related activities continues, along with other committees that keep the chapter moving forward.

In 1999, the chapter launched the development of a nationally recognized Web site www.sgmpnatcap.org that serves as one of the major communication tools to our members. The chapter has won National recognition with "Chapter of the Year", "Newsletter of the Year" and "Program of the Year" honors. NATCAP served as the 1992 Annual Education Conference host in Baltimore, MD.

Membership has grown from nearly 300 to over 740 at present. Members who have served as National officers: Rance Willis, Peter Regner, JoAnn Simmons, Ed Heitov, Carl Thompson, and Don Webb. Currently Melody Kebe serves as a Director to the National Board.

Chapter Presidents