The Quarterly Tea, SEPT. 2019

VOL. 1 ISSUE 1 • SEPTEMBER 2019
THE QUARTERLY TEA
Official Newsletter of SGMP PNW Chapter
Published by Amber Holcomb, Director Supplier
PRESIDENT'S PEN
BECKI ELLISON, SGMP PNW CHAPTER PRESIDENT
Welcome to our Newsletter, The Quarterly Tea,
formerly known as Network News (1987-2009). It's
been 10 years since an issue of our newsletter has
been published, and this year, we as your board of
directors are thrilled to reestablish such a great way
to communicate all the wonderful happenings of
SGMP PNW Chapter to you.
The PNW Chapter Board of Directors kicked off our 2019-2020 year
by spending a full day in July at our board retreat discussing
upcoming programming, budget and membership. We are so proud
to announce that this year's theme is:
“Connect and Invest in the Next 35 Years”.
In order to invest in the next 35 years, the board has made some
fun changes. This year we want to focus on growing our
membership by challenging all members to get out there and share
your reasons why you benefit from SGMP, and encouraging them to
bring a guest to a meeting. We are also putting a large emphasis on
providing programs to educate our members on subjects they find
most challenging so they can take what they learn into planning
future government meetings.
Another change for the year is our new charity The Healing
Center. The Healing Center offers a safe, loving place that honors
grief and helps individuals move through it and heal.
This issue:
President's Pen
PAGE 01
Chapter News
PAGE 02
The Healing Center
PAGE 03
New Member Spotlight
PAGE 04
NEC
PAGE 05
Announcements & Events
PAGE 06
There is lots more to share so grab a cup and enjoy!
THE QUARTERLY TEA PAGE 01

MEET YOUR 2019-20
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
From Left to Right (Top) :
Director Planner, Hana Kenny, UW School of Law;
Director Supplier, Amber Holcomb, Wenatchee
Convention Center;
2nd Vice President, Robin Bammert, CGMP;
President, Becki Ellison, WA State Parks and
Recreation Commission;
Treasurer, Stephanie Steele, Visit Bellevue;
Secretary, Paul Seabaugh, WA State Dartment of
Children, Youth & Families;
From Left to Right (Bottom):
First Vice President, Mattie Bess, UW School of Law;
Director Supplier, Claire Lawrence, Kitsap
Conference Center;
Scholarship & Certification Trustee, Gilmer Institute
of Learning Trustees, Bobbie Barkley, CGMP, CMP,
Double Tree/Hilton Seattle Airport
"Connect and
Invest in the
next 35 years"
Chapter News
With a new year, comes a new logo!
You should have received an email
earlier this month to approve or
reject our proposed logo. By now
the decision has been made and
will be announced at our Sept. 11
Chapter Meeting
Membership Challenge! We
challenge you to bring someone to
a meeting, whether it be a
coworker, or someone you know
working in government meeting
planning. If your guest joins, you
will receive a reward.
Our membership committee is
looking for new members to help
drive our recruitment. If you have
great ideas and are interested in
getting involved, please contact
Robin Bammert,
robin.bammert@yahoo.com or
Claire Lawrence,
clawrence@kitsapconferencecenter
.com
We are celebrating our 35th
Anniversary this year as a chapter,
and this calls for a CELEBRATION!
We plan to commend this
milestone at the 'Year in Review'
program on June 10, 2020.
Not pictured: Immediate Past President, Jan Thor,
CMP, FAA (Retired)
THE QUARTERLY TEA PAGE 02

THE HEALING CENTER
6409 1/2 ROOSEVELT WAY NE
SEATTLE, WA 98115
WWW.THEHEALINGCENTERSEATTLE.ORG
206-523-1206
HELLO@HEALINGCENTERSEATTLE.ORG
The Healing Center is a grief-support
community for adults, children and families.
Their community offers a unique, long-term,
multi-faceted approach to grief support,
combining group support with informal
events and social networks
We envision
a day when
everyone can
move
through their
grief in a
healing way
Our Mission
The Healing Center offers a safe, loving place that honors grief,
helping you to move through it and heal. We serve adults, young
adults and children who have experienced the death of a
spouse/partner, parent, childvor sibling.
Our Values
WELCOMING – A safe, home-like atmosphere where grief is
welcome just as it is.
NURTURING – We understand and care for grieving individuals,
providing guidance and support.
WITH HONOR – We accept, respect, and show compassion
toward our clients and community. We believe every emotion
and experience has value. We honor your grief and help you heal
without prescribing a single path or timeline.
TTHE QUARTERLY TEA PAGE 03

N
E
W
M
E
M
B
E
R
S
P
O
T
L
I
G
H
T
S
Hilary Gardener
SALES ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE,
HILTON GARDEN INN &
HOMEWOOD SUITES, ISSAQUAH
Hilary grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida but
spent four years in Salt Lake City Utah
before moving to Washington in 2018. She
has five years’ of hospitality experience at
Hilton and Marriott hotels. Her markets include: Government,
Association, and SMERF. She holds a bachelor’s degree in
Recreation, Parks & Tourism (Hospitality & Event Focus) from
University of Florida. In her free time, she enjoys spending time
outdoors and hiking in the mountains of Washington with her
husband and her golden retriever, Koda. She also enjoys doing
portrait photography including engagement photos, family
sessions and maternity shoots
Chase Wharton
CONVENTION SALES MANAGER,
VISIT TRI-CITIES
Chase has worked in the hospitality
industry since 2013. Prior to accepting the
position at Visit Tri-Cities in June, he
worked in different capacities at
properties in Jackson Hole, WY, St. Pete's
Beach, FL, Spokane, WA and Priest Lake, ID. Chase has a love for
the tourism industry and the impact it can have on local and
regional economies. In his spare time he enjoys hockey, riding
motorcycles, camping, surfing and softball. He also has a 3 month
old daughter, Alpha and significant other, Tiara
Katie Rasmussen
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER &
EVENT COORDINATOR 2,
WA STATE FIRE ACADEMY
Katie joins SGMP with an administrative and event
planning background. She began working with
WA State Patrol as a Communication Officer/911
Dispatcher in 2013 and has been in her current
position since 2015 where she schedules and plans all training,
conferences, handles government media relations, and facility use for
the Fire Training Academy. She is finishing her BA from Washington
State University in Integrated Strategic Communication, and in her spare
time enjoys Girl Scouts and dance performances with her 8 year old
Daughter Aurora, singing/performing, television shows, movies, gaming,
baking and crafts,. She's been married to her husband, Alex for 9 years
and has two fur-babies, Betty Boop and Bowie
Chuck Ryder
DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT,
VISIT VANCOUVER USA
Chuck brings extensive hospitality and sales
experience to Visit Vancouver USA. Prior to
joining the team, Chuck worked as the Director
of Sales for the Santa Cruz Seaside Company,
and previously served as the Director of Sales
and Marketing for the Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts
Valley. In his new role, Chuck will lead the business development and
convention services team in its efforts to drive overnight bookings
through the solicitation of group business. He holds a Bachelor of Science
degree in Business Administration. Chuck enjoys the outdoors and is an
avid hiker looking forrward to exploring all the great trails in this
beautiful area.
Nancy Coverdell
ADMINISTRATIVE LEGAL MANAGER,
ENVIRONMENTAL AND
LAND USE HEARINGS OFFICE
Nancy is a seasoned public employee with 25+
years of Service. Throughout her career, she has
worked in various capacities as an executive
assistant, legal assistant, data governance
coordinator, management analyst, technical writer, information technology
specialist, and administrative officer. Her current position is a
combination of all the job duties that she has enjoyed most throughout
her career. In her spare time, Nancy enjoys traveling and working in her
garden. Her and her husband will become empty nesters this fall when
her son transfers to college in California so their hoping to take up golf
and travel a bit more.
THE QUARTERLY TEA PAGE 04

PNW Chapter at SGMP National Education Conference (NEC)
DETRIOT, MICHIGAN
SAM GILMER SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR AWARD
WINNER, BOBBY BARKLEY, CGMP, CMP
Congratulations Bobby!
The Sam Gilmer Planner of the Year Award and the Sam Gilmer
Supplier of the Year Award are the highest distinctions offered by
SGMP. Its recipients are selected by a panel of former Sam Gilmer
Award winners in recognition of the members whose service to
SGMP over a period of time, especially at the national level, has
significantly contributed to the Society’s growth and development.
NEWS FROM NATIONAL
SGMP Response to the
Government Shutdown
“The partial Federal Government shutdown is having a
negative impact on the meetings industry, and the
government meetings industry has been hit particularly
hard. The Society of Government Meeting Professionals
SGMP) is aware of conferences that have been delayed,
canceled, or rescheduled. Meetings and conferences serve
a vital function where collaboration, training and
relationships are built to drive our nation’s innovation
and prosperity. A shutdown unfortunately has many
unintended consequences that hurt the work of the
government, industry and the many suppliers and
communities that make meetings and events possible. We
are also concerned for our members as well as all others
who may not be paid during this time and face financial
hardship. SGMP will be working with its members and
chapters to do all we can to help. When the shutdown lifts,
it will be important more than ever for government and
industry to work together to get back on
track. For everyone’s benefit, SGMP hopes a resolution is
reached soon.”
Michelle A. Milligan, CGMP
National Board President
Society of Government Meeting Professionals
THE QUARTERLY TEA PAGE 05

ANNOUNCEMENTS & EVENTS
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2018-19
CHAPTER AWARD WINNERS
Planner of the year,
Mattie Bess,
UW School of Law
Supplier of the Year,
Amber Holcomb,
Wenatchee
Convention Center
Featured Sponsor
WENATCHEE CONVENTION CENTER
50,000 sq. ft. of adaptable meeting space
Accommodates groups up to 1,000
10,000 sq. ft. grand Apple Ballroom
7,500 sq. ft. exhibit space
14 additional meeting/breakout rooms
State of the art HDMI Audio-Visual
Complimentary high-speed WiFi
Complimentary Parking
Delicious Cuisine
Caring & dedicated staff
1,675 guestrooms in market
THE CENTER FOR ALL YOUR EVENT NEEDS
509.662.4411
www.wenatcheeconventioncenter.com
Red and Peggy
Meyer Award of
Leadership
Excellence, Robin
Bammert, CGMP
President's Award of
Merit, Hana Kenny,
UW School of Law
Upcoming Events
September 11: Chapter Program Luncheon:
'Negotiating Public Transportation
in the Greater Puget Sound.'
Thurston County Community Action Council
SAVE THE DATE!
May 19-21, 2020
38th National Education Conference
St. Louis, MO
October 9: Chapter Program 1/2 Day Workshop
Radisson SeaTac
October 11-14: CGMP Course
Vancouver, WA
November 13: Chapter Program Luncheon
Issaquah Homewood Suites
THE QUARTERLY TEA PAGE 06