The Federal Government, in response to airline deregulation and access to travel data from the global distribution systems (GDS) initiated programs to gain control of the travel process and budget. Travel professionals worked with government officials on those initiatives to create programs that were mutually beneficial – not always an easy task. The most formidable obstacle was communication between government and industry. Government personnel endeavored to understand the complexities of the travel industry as industry professionals maneuvered through the maze of government rules, regulations and business practices. SGTP was formed as a forum for open communication which was essential to realize the mutual goal of successful government travel management. SGTP' goals include education for both industry and government as well as providing a bridge between industry and government participants in the multi-billion dollary governemnt travel industry. The first Annual Conference in 1984 showed just how much both partners had to learn about the other in order to proceed with a logical progression of programs to truly affect the direction of travel management. The first Annual Education Conference was proposed for the summer of 1984 to provide informational seminars for government personnel about the travel industry and to give government officials an opportunity to explain the complicated nature of government contracting for goods and services. These annual events are now in their 24th year. The travel industry had to protect a business culture that, as one of the three largest industries in the world, required profitability to survive. The government represented the single largest purchaser of travel in the world and wanted to leverage its buying power to realize substantial discounts and improved accountability. The missions have not changed substantially, the issues and the players vary from year to year, and communication continues in a cooperative environment. Communication is usually proactive, though occasionally contentious until new issues are resolved. | 
