UMAPP Young Professionals is excited to bring back Coffee & Chats, a networking and learning series designed to connect emerging professionals across the promotional products industry.
This session will spotlight the fast-paced world of sports selling, with a special focus on opportunities through licensed merchandise, promotional branding, and seasonal events like March Madness.
Attendees will hear insights from industry professionals who work closely with sports programs and collegiate licensing, while exploring how sports and promo intersect, selling strategies tied to major tournaments, and trends shaping branded merchandise in athletics. Join us for an engaging morning of coffee, conversation, networking, and sports-driven inspiration.
_______________________________
Mission of UMAPP Young Professionals Group:
The UMAPP Young Professionals group is dedicated to fostering a supportive community for individuals aged 18-35 or those newer to the industry. Our mission is to provide a platform for networking, idea exchange, and career development, helping young professionals grow and thrive in the promotional products industry.
Through engaging events, insightful conversations, and opportunities to connect with peers and industry leaders, we aim to inspire, educate, and empower the next generation of professionals to shape the future of our field. Everyone is welcome to attend and participate in our events, regardless of experience level.
Join our new Facebook Young Professionals Group!
Share with your colleagues! Everyone is welcome.
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.
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.
________________________________________________________________________
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:
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.
(763) 559-6600 Give Code UM8 for our discounted rate or book online and use UM8 for your code.
Upper Midwest Association of Promotional Professionals (UMAPP) is a 501(c)(6) trade association incorporated in 19809292 Dartford Rd., St. Paul, Minnesota 55125 651-734-9767 | admin@umapp.org | UMAPP.org
Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
Cookie Policy.pdf
Privacy Policy.pdf
A regional promotional professionals association