A regional promotional professionals association

Upcoming events

    • 04/22/2026
    • 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
    • Crystal D, 505 Atwater Circle, St. Paul, MN 55103
    Register

    Invest in Yourself!  

    Program Overview

    Generative AI is reshaping our world at a pace never before seen in history. For the first time, everyone has unprecedented access to harness and shape data, redefining how we live, work, compete, and connect. In this dynamic, high-impact presentation, you'll discover…

    The difference between AI and Generative AI - and in a clear, non-technical way, how they work, and how embracing platforms like ChatGPT, CoPilot, Gemini, etc. can give you a competitive edge.

    How Generative AI creates a Mindset SHIFT™ by streamlining work, harnessing your expertise, and freeing you to focus on strategic thinking, innovation, and authentic human connections.

    Practical AI tools you can start using immediately, demonstrated through real examples across all areas of business, to unlock new levels of performance and deliver measurable outcomes.

    A forward-looking view of Generative AI that will shape tomorrow’s business landscape and leadership decisions; ethical considerations, data privacy and security, workforce transformation (role evolution) and more. 

    Featuring examples customized to the audience, and strategies and techniques drawn from Sam’s years of experience developing AI tools and resources used by organizations around the globe every day, this motivating, practical, and highly entertaining program will leave you inspired, empowered, and ready to lead in your AI-powered future.

    This presentation will help leaders understand the issues and opportunities they face. Leaders wilL:

    • How to create a mindset SHIFT™
    • Practical tools that will create greater productivity and measurable outcomes
    • Forward-thinking process and policy ideas to protect your business in a changing world

    All Attendees Receive Exclusive Access to the Leader’s Resource Vault, including:

    • All attendees will receive access to custom AI-powered tools

    Speaker

    Sam RichterCSP, CPAE

    A Hall of Fame speaker and bestselling author celebrated for his mastery in harnessing digital insight to uncover opportunities, foster genuine connections, build trust, and communicate with authenticity. Recognized as one of the World’s Top 50 Global Gurus as an Internet thought leader, Sam has also won a Codie Award - the 'Oscars' of the software industry, a Gold Award at the International Film Festival, and he’s been inducted into both the Minnesota and the National Speaker Hall of Fame. He’s recognized as a Top 100 Motivational Speaker, Top 50 Sales Keynote Speaker, Top 15 Virtual Presenter, IES Speaker of the Year, and he was a Finalist for Inc. Magazine Entrepreneur of the Year. He’s been featured in Forbes, CNN, USA Today, and newspapers and online publications around the globe, and he’s also the creator of the AI-powered Intel Engine, used by top organizations worldwide to gain a competitive edge. That’s why executives and meeting planners call Sam’s programs “must-attend events.” Learn more at www.samrichter.com.

    Note:  There must be 50 people registered by April 20 in order to hold this event. 

    • 05/14/2026
    • 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
    • Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West, 3131 Campus Dr, Plymouth, MN 55441, Minnesota
    Register

    ________________________________________________________________________

    Thursday, May 14, 2026 

    Crowne Plaza, 3131 Campus Dr, Plymouth, Minnesota
    9:00 - 3:30 pm. 

    LEARN. CONNECT. GROW.

    _____________________________________________________________

    More than a trade show - this is a teaching show. Join us for a one-of-a-kind event designed to inform, inspire and elevate. At this educational trade show, every session is a classroom, and every conversation is a lesson. Discover new products, gain valuable insights, and leave with fresh ideas you can put into practice right away. 

    Arrive with anticipation and leave with fresh ideas, great new product samples, plus new friends and connections. 

    Learn. Connect. Grow. 

    _____________________________________________

    Please welcome the 2026 Exhibitors: 

    Ball Pro 
    ADG
    Edwards Garment
    Illini
    Prime
    S&S Activewear
    Spector
    HPG (OrigAudio/Handstands & HUB Pen) 
    Warwick
    Formgraphics, The Bucket People
    Crystal D 

    How does this show work? 

    A unique event that is one of the original room show styles often copied by other groups. Distributors rotate together from meeting room to meeting room for 25-minute exhibitor presentations throughout the day. 

    Distributors are placed into groups of 10-18 people. During the registration process, requests can be made to keep people together or separate.  

    Schedule: 

    8:00  Check in for registration packages begins

    9:00- 12:30 Exhibitor Presentations (with a short morning break) 

    12:30 - 1:30 Buffet lunch in ballroom plus awards announcements

    1:30 - 3:30 Exhibitor Presentations (with a short afternoon break) 

    3:30  Prizes & Pours Party immediately following the show. All attendees will receive a special "Surprise Box" with gifts from our 11 exhibitors.

    Join us for hot and cold appetizers plus two free drink tickets per person. Bring your raffle ticket to the party and join the fun in the drawing of exciting door prizes. 



    $30 UMAPP members (plus credit card processing fee) 

    $45 Nonmembers (plus processing fee) 

    Includes 11 supplier presentations, coffee all day, morning snacks, hot buffet lunch, Prizes & Pour Party with food, beverages, and door prizes. Our exhibitors are dedicated to providing education and innovation. This is a show that teaches and inspires. 


    HOTEL RESERVATIONS - Cutoff date is April 8.  

    (763) 559-6600 Give Code UM8 for our discounted rate or book online and use UM8 for your code.


    • 08/10/2026
    • 12:00 PM
    • Oak Marsh Golf Course, Oakdale, Minnesota
    • 80
    Register


    Join us for a fun, casual summer golf tournament held in connection with the Brand Connection Expo End Buyer Show.  


    Location:

    Oak Marsh Golf Course, Oakdale Minnesota
    (right next to the show venue) 

    Shotgun start: 

    12:00 noon 

    Contests and More: 

    Hole in One! $5,000 to the winner 

    Putting Contest 

    Raffles for door prizes 

    Awards ceremony 

    Buffet appetizers 

    Swag bag! 

    This is always a fun and exciting event on a beautiful course that provides just enough challenge for the seasoned golfer and not too much for the beginner. 






    • 08/11/2026
    • 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
    Register

    Client Registration for Distributor Sales Reps is over.

    • 08/11/2026
    • 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
    • Inwood Oaks Event Center, Oakdale, Minnesota
    Register
     

    Brand Connection Expo

    Connecting Your Clients with New Ideas

    Tuesday, August 11, 2026

    10 am - 2 pm | Inwood Oaks Event Center, 484 Inwood Avenue N., Oakdale, MN 55128

    The distributor show where customers are invited, too! 


    Show Details: 

    • $550 for the first table | $500 for each additional 

    • Up to two free lunch tickets per exhibitor for show staff in attendance

    • This is a tabletop show. Tables are 8' x 2' and are undraped.  Note on the registration form if you will require a drape

    • Exhibitors will receive the attendee and registration list following the show

    • Cancellation policy: full refund if cancel 30 days prior (by July 11; forfeit show fee paid if cancellation occurs after July 11)

    • Reminder: this is an end buyer show.  Color coded badges will distinguish distributors and end buyers

    • Exhibitors are not responsible for relaying end buyer interests in products to distributor sales reps. We expect the distributors to manage their customers

    • Please consider being a show sponsor and/or providing donations to our registration table. 

    • NOTE: New for 2026, all give aways at this show (including for the registration table) that feature the UMAPP logo MUST be preapproved by our Procurement Committee. Details HERE

    • You have a choice where your table is located. Please view the floor plan and list on the registration form your top three choices. We will accommodate requests if possible. 

    • We typically expect about 350 distributors and end buyers. We will provide an email marketing invitation for you to send to your customers.

    •  Visit our Brand Connection Expo - Exhibitors Page at UMAPP.org for full exhibitor information 



Upper Midwest Association of Promotional Professionals (UMAPP) is a 501(c)(6) trade association incorporated in 1980
9292 Dartford Rd., St. Paul, Minnesota 55125 
651-734-9767 | admin@umapp.org | UMAPP.org

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