A regional promotional professionals association

Upcoming events

    • 06/04/2025
    • 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
    • Zoom
    Register

    3 Key Steps to Building Your Marketing & Communication Plan

    June 4, 2025

    11:30 - 12:30 Central via Zoom 

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    It is time to talk, learn and connect with industry experts across all disciplines to develop a proactive marketing/communication continuum to keep your company top of mind. 

    Learn from our panel, work smarter and stay top of mind.

    Learner outcomes:

    • Discover the key elements to developing and implementing your brand journey
    • Understand how outsourcing and automation can support your marketing and communication efforts
    • Learn how to develop your marketing calendar using multiple marketing channels

    Meet Your Panel: 

    Kate Nash, Raining Rose (Supplier)

    Today, Kate serves as the Director of Business Development. In that capacity, she forms new strategic partnerships with distributors in the industry, assists the team with leveraging sales automation technology, and works to spread the Raining Rose “orange vibe” of energy and optimism. Kate currently serves on the board of PromoCares.

    Kate Nash started her professional life in newspaper journalism and marketing for higher ed and the tech industry before joining Raining Rose as top marketing leader in 2019. Kate leveraged her multi-industry background to partner with leaders on a new Raining Rose Promos brand and has also worked to support sales growth at the company through marketing strategies and sales partnership.


    Amy Pentola, PromoPulse (Service Provider)

    Amy Pentola is a force when it comes to taking care of clients and managing projects across various settings, including ad agencies and promotional products companies. Amy’s core belief is in solving business problems while simultaneously building strong relationships. This has allowed her to gain valuable experience in all aspects of the promotional industry, from working as a distributor and supplier to serving as a tech service provider. 

    Amy is a foodie and appreciates exploring new restaurants in and around Kansas City, her home base.  She enjoys traveling with friends and family and is an avid sports fan.

     

    Amanda Clay, Walker-Clay Inc. (Distributor)

    Amanda Clay is an innovative leader in the promotional products industry, bringing a dynamic and customer-focused approach to her role at Walker-Clay, Inc., a women-owned distributor based in Massachusetts. With a Master of Advertising Specialties (MAS) and a deep understanding of branding, product customization, and client relations, Amanda excels in delivering creative and high-impact promotional solutions.  

    Known for her proactive problem-solving skills and ability to handle unique client requests with ease, Amanda thrives in fast-paced environments, always ensuring top-tier service and seamless execution. Her passion for innovation, combined with her strategic mindset, makes her a driving force in the industry.


    • 06/16/2025
    • 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
    • BCSI, Burnsville

    Send a message to: admin@umapp.org to attend. UMAPP's Board meetings are open for up to two members each meeting. Come join us and get to know the Board and Committee Members! 

    • 08/11/2025
    • 12:00 PM
    • Oak Marsh Golf Course, Oakdale, Minnesota
    • 78
    Register

    Join us for a swing at success! 

    We're thrilled to extend a personal invitation to you to tee off for a day of camaraderie and networking. 

    • Putting contest 
    • 50/50 Board 
    • Raffles 
    • Door Prizes 
    • Hole in One ($5,000) 
    • Awards banquet and appetizers

    Rub shoulders with fellow industry professionals who share your passion for success. Whether you're discussing industry trends or swapping business strategies, the connections you make could lead to fruitful collaborations. 

    Relaxation and Recreation: Take a break from the hustle and bustle of daily operations. Enjoy a day in the great outdoors; it's the perfect opportunity to unwind while engaging in a friendly game of golf. 

    Limited to 80 golfers. Register early! 

    This event is open to all members of UMAPP, customers, and friends.  Friends and customers must be registered on the same team as a UMAPP member.  No refunds after July 26.   



    • 08/12/2025
    • 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
    • Inwood Oaks Event Center

    August 12, 2025
    10 - 3
    Inwood Oaks Event Center, 484 Inwood Avenue N. Oakdale/Woodbury 

    Connecting your clients with new ideas. The distributor show where clients are invited, too!  

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    With hundreds of exhibitor lines and thousands of products, this show is perfect for generating new ideas and establishing valuable connections. Invite a client to explore the extensive range of promotional products available to enhance their marketing efforts. Distributors who have brought clients report that their clients were impressed by the variety of products, leading to increased business.

    Distributors register here first. If bringing a client, check your confirmation email from this registration for a link or click here.

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    A buffet sandwich and salad lunch ticket is available for pre-purchase for yourself and/or clients. Purchased tickets will be placed inside each person's registration package to be picked up at the show. 


    Keynote Speaker
    8:30 am - 9:45 am 
    Karen Black will talk about Conflict Resolution. This is a free event for everyone. UMAPP members can earn CEUs by completing a form at the event with their PIN number and returning it to the registration table.  

    Read more here


    • 08/12/2025
    • 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
    Register

    Client Registration for Distributor Sales Reps 

    Take a moment to read through the instructions below. It will make it easier for you during registration.  

    FAQs about inviting clients.pdf

    This is where distributors register their clients for the event.  You should have already registered yourself as a distributor attendee.  

    Registrations are not editable once submitted. Email the UMAPP office for changes.

    • For client registration, type in your email address first. If your email is recognized by the website as a member, you will have the "member" option to sign up your clients.  

    • If you know your company is a member and you're only seeing the "nonmember" price, then you need to create an account first. 

    • Type in the number of lunch tickets to purchase for clients (if any).

    • Clients are referred to as "guests" in this registration.  Click "Done" after registering each guest/client and the site will allow you to continue adding more clients.

    • List the first and last names of clients to receive a lunch ticket. The ticket will be inside their name badge packet when they arrive at the show.
      • If you're not buying lunch tickets for clients, type "none".

         


    Questions? Please email the UMAPP office.


    • 08/12/2025
    • 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
    • Inwood Oaks Event Center, Oakdale, Minnesota
    Register

    Note: This registration page is for suppliers wishing to register to exhibit at the Brand Connection Expo on August 12, 2025.

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    UMAPP's Brand Connection Expo end buyer tabletop show is an opportunity to connect with both distributor sales reps and their customers. 

    Schedule: 

    August 11
    Afternoon/evening set up (time to be determined by venue) 

    August 12
    Exhibit Hours: 10 - 2 

    Keynote speaker:   
    8:30 - 9:45 "Conflict Resolution" with keynote speaker, Karen Black. Read more about the speaker here. 

    Show Details: 

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

    • Nonmember fee:  $725 for first table, $675 for each additional

    • Up to two free lunch tickets per exhibitor for show staff. One show staff = one lunch ticket

    • 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 12); forfeit show fee paid if cancellation occurs after July 12

    • 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 (notebooks, pens, hand sanitizer and show bags) 

    NOTE: 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.  


    Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn, Oakdale, MN 

    This hotel is located adjacent to the show venue of Inwood Oaks, and across the parking lot from the golf tournament at Oak Marsh Golf Course. 

    Please CLICK HERE for the hotel's website to book a room.  UMAPP does not have a block reserved. 

    • 09/22/2025
    • 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
    • In Person

    Send a message to: admin@umapp.org to attend. UMAPP's Board meetings are open for up to two members each meeting. Come join us and get to know the Board and Committee Members! 

    • 10/20/2025
    • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Via Zoom

    Send a message to: admin@umapp.org to attend. UMAPP's Board meetings are open for up to two members each meeting. Come join us and get to know the Board and Committee Members! 

    • 11/17/2025
    • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Via Zoom

    Send a message to: admin@umapp.org to attend. UMAPP's Board meetings are open for up to two members each meeting. Come join us and get to know the Board and Committee Members! 

    • 12/15/2025
    • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
    • In Person

    This meeting is for all current Board and Committee members, along with incoming Board and Committee members to celebrate a year of volunteerism and service to the industry.  

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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