Core Competency: Travel – Federal, State, Local
The domain of Travel includes content in the areas of Expenses, City Pairs, Fed Rooms, Government Travel Credit Cards, Invitational Travel, Lodging, Lodging Taxes, Meals, Miscellaneous and Incidental Expenses, Per Diem Rates, TDY, and Transportation. View each subdomain below; the bold text shows each subdomain's alignment with EIC domains.
- There are many rules and regulations that govern official government travel. Government planners must keep up with current per diem rates, new Congressional rules about government travel, and streamlining the government meeting in terms of travel costs.
Domain A: Strategic Planning, Domain D: Financial Management
- Actual Expenses: Understand approval of actual expenses for lodging and meals under certain circumstances.
Domain D-Financial Management
- City Pairs: Explore requirements for city pairs, who must use city pairs, advantages of program, etc.
Domain D: Financial Management
- Fed Rooms: Use FedRooms.com to find ADA and FEMA-approved properties at per diem with flexible cancellation policies.
Domain D: Financial Management
- Government Travel Credit Cards: Mandatory use of government travel credit card, uses of travel card while traveling, benefits of credit card, etc.
Domain A: Strategic Planning, Domain D: Financial Management
- Invitational Travel: When is invitational used and what is traveler entitled to.
Domain G: Meeting or Event Design
- Lodging: GSA Lodging rates, actual expenses for lodging, receipt requirement, etc.
Domain D: Financial Management
- Lodging Taxes: When is government traveler exempt from lodging taxes.
Domain D: Financial Management
- Meals: Meal allowances when traveling, receipts policy.
Domain D: Financial Management
- Miscellaneous Expenses vs. Incidental Expenses: Differences between miscellaneous and incidental expenses.
Domain D: Financial Management
- Per Diem rates: Where to find the per diem rates, seasonal rates, what is included in the per diem rate, etc. Reduced per diem rate.
Domain D: Financial Management
- Temporary Duty Assignment (TDY): Allowances for traveler on temporary duty - lodging, meals, incidental expenses.
Domain D: Financial Management
- Transportation: Modes of approved transportation when on Temporary Duty Assignment. Rules for use of Privately Owned Vehicle.
Domain D: Financial Management
Travel Courses
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Contains 2 Component(s), Includes Credits Includes a Live Web Event on 11/12/2026 at 1:00 PM (EST)
Master the essential documentation and administrative workflows required for smooth, compliant government travel. Designed for government meeting professionals, this course breaks down the critical paperwork side of official travel—from securing pre-travel authorizations and personal vehicle approvals to assembling an airtight travel folder. Participants will learn how to properly process hotel credit card authorization forms, navigate tricky expense reporting nuances like personally paid parking on hotel folios, and eliminate the common documentation gaps that delay reimbursement. While drawn from practical state-level examples, the core principles align with both state and federal travel regulations (including GSA guidelines), equipping attendees from any jurisdiction with actionable strategies to ensure error-free travel processing.
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Register
- Non-member - $50
- Member - Free!
- More Information
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Contains 2 Component(s), Includes Credits Includes a Live Web Event on 10/13/2026 at 1:00 PM (EDT)
Government travel extends far beyond meetings and events. This session takes attendees inside the world of federal transient lodging and the programs, policies, and trends that influence where and how federal travelers stay. Designed for government meeting professionals who may be less familiar with the transient side of federal travel, this session will explore the federal lodging landscape and the role of FedRooms and DoD Preferred in supporting government travelers and agencies.
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- Non-member - $50
- Member - Free!
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Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits
Whether you travel domestically, internationally, only a few times a year, or are a road warrior, you will leave this session knowing the insider tips from a traditional naturopath (natural health doctor) that spent 30+ years traveling around the world for IBM…and lived to tell the stories.
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- Non-member - $12
- Member - Free!
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Get Certified
Become a Government Meetings Expert
The Certified Government Meeting Professional designation ("CGMP") is designed for planners and suppliers whose work is governed by the rules and regulations of the federal government. Individuals who have earned their CGMP have obtained the highest designation available that is specifically for government meeting professionals. The CGMP is recognized in the hospitality industry; many government contracts now require planners working on the contract have their government certification.
The CGMP course is offered in 3 formats – Live (in person), Virtual Synchronous (via Zoom webinar), and On-Demand.
Microcredentials
SGMP Micro-Credentials develop specific expertise across nine (9) core competencies for government meeting planners. Members can demonstrate this expertise by completing five (5) hours of professional development in any core competency. Hours can be earned online or in-person at chapter or national events.
Earn CEUs
Continuing Education
SGMP's continuing education program aligns with many other CE programs, offering you maximum credit across multiple domains. Each domain of professional development and continuing education is assigned to one of twelve (12) core competencies integral to the daily work of the government meeting professional. Earn the fifteen (15) hours required to satisfy your CGMP CE requirements, and the requirements of many other programs such as the CMP.
