Navigator Newsletter
March/April 2026 Issue
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President's Column Patrick Napurski
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Dear UMAPP Members,
It has certainly been an interesting start to the year, both in the world at large and within the promotional products industry. Ongoing global events continue to shape how businesses operate, how brands connect with their audiences, and how we as an industry adapt to meet evolving needs. Through it all, one thing remains clear—our community is resilient, creative, and ready to respond to change.
As an association, we are committed to staying connected and accessible to all of our members. We had the opportunity to conduct a UMAPP board meeting outside of the Twin Cities metro, with the goal of reaching and engaging members in different parts of our region. A special thank you to 3M Promotional for hosting us and supporting this effort. Expanding our geographic reach is an important step in ensuring all members feel included and represented, and we look forward to continuing that momentum.
Looking ahead, there is a great deal of excitement surrounding the upcoming Room Show. With the increased involvement of UMAPP’s procurement team and the new leadership of Tessa Trumble, we anticipate a strong and impactful event. Bringing together distributors and suppliers creates meaningful opportunities for connection, education, and business growth. We’re confident that this evolution of the Room Show will bring added value to all who attend.
In addition to events, professional development continues to be a key focus for UMAPP. I am especially excited about an upcoming educational opportunity centered around artificial intelligence and its growing role in our industry. This program is shaping up to be something truly special—not only because of the relevance of the topic, but also because of its accessibility. By hosting sessions on both the east and west sides of the Twin Cities, we aim to make it easier for more members to participate and benefit from this timely and impactful content.
Thank you for your continued engagement and support of UMAPP. I look forward to seeing many of you at upcoming events and continuing to build a strong, connected, and forward-thinking community together.
Sincerely,
Patrick Napurski
President, UMAPP
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Awards Nominations Due - April 10.
Nominate a special person for the Hall of Fame, Lifetime Achievement, Volunteer of the Year, or Super Star Awards. The winners are announced during the Room Show at the luncheon (12:30 - 1:30) on May 14 at the Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West.
Read More/Links to nomination forms here
Webinar: April 14, 11:30 am Central. "The Invisible Backpack: The Weight of Carrying What Others Don't See." For UMAPP members only! Presented by Charity Gibson. Read More/Register
Generative AI - The Business Leaders' Growth Engine - Seminar
April 21 - Hopkins Center for the Arts
April 22 - Crystal D
Read More/Register for Either Location Here
Webinar: April 29, 11:30 am Central. "Solopreneur Circus - Branding, Tools & Tactics" For UMAPP members only! Presented by Bill Petrie. Read More/Register
Room Show - May 14, 2026
Crowne Plaza, Plymouth, Minnesota | Distributors: Information/Register Here
The eleven exhibitors have been chosen for this show.
Summer Golf Tournament - Monday, August 10, 2026
Oak Marsh Golf Course | 12:00 noon shotgun | Register Here
Not golfing but want to sponsor a hole? Click Here
Brand Connection Expo End Buyer Show - Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Inwood Oaks Event Center, Oakdale, Minnesota | Exhibitors Register Here
Distributor and client registration will open soon.
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iClick
Supplier
Haylie Scarr
Seattle, Washington 98134
haylies@iclick.com
Chameleon like, Inc.
Supplier
Pierre Martichoux
345 Kishimura Drive
Gilroy, CA 95020
pierre@chameleonlike.com
Coccinella
Supplier
Umut Kaplan
7393 Bush Lake Road
Minneapolis, MN 55439
umut@coccinellastore.com
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Imagine saving hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars on orders throughout the year. UMAPP's digital coupon book from nearly 200 suppliers is loaded with deals for distributors, like 10% off entire orders, end-quantity pricing, free setups, and plenty more.
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Five Skills to Work with AI (not against it)
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Reprinted with permission from PPAI Media
How do you feel about AI? Some people love it for tasks like automating their inbox or analyzing prospects. Others see it as another tech wave to endure. Whether you regularly use AI or you’re still skeptical about it, learning to use it can help you work smarter and make better decisions.
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. . . Social media now is the primary US news source? More than half of people surveyed - 54%-say they get news from platforms such as Facebook, X and YouTube . . . versus 50% who get news from TV and 48% who use news sites and apps. "DigitalNewsReport2025" study of 100,000 people in 48 countries by researchers at Reuters Institute, Oxford, UK. ReutersInstitute.Politics.ox.ac.UK
. . . Alcohol use is at record lows in the US? Only 54% of adults say they drink alcohol-the lowest percentage in almost 90 years - versus 60% of adults in 2023. Young adults are driving the statistics - 66% of those ages 18-34 say drinking two or fewer drinks daily is unhealthy. Annual Consumption Habits survey, Gallup, Inc. Washington, DC. Gallup.com
. . . Pets provide as much life satisfaction as being married or meeting regularly with loved ones? The social and emotional support provided by pets contribute directly to pet owners' mental and physical well-being. Study of 2,500 British households by researchers at University of Kent and London School of Economics, published in Social Indicators Research.
. . . Tesla drivers are the worst drivers? Tesla operators had 36.94 incidents per 1,000 motorists. . . Ram truck owners were second worst, with 33.92 incidents . . . Subaru was third, with 32.85 incidents. Best: Mercury drivers had 18.63 incidents per 1,000 motorists. Analysis based on a year-long study of insurance inquiries by researchers at LendingTree. LendingTree.com .
"Honestly, shopping beats therapy, anytime. It costs the same and you get a dress out of it." Madeline Wickham (a/k/a Sophie Kinsella), British novelist, author of "Shopaholic" series (1969-2025)
Reprinted from The Bottom Line Personal Subscription Publication
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Midnite Snax, Tru Art, Keepsake Products, and ASB all have news.
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Four Ways to Avoid Becoming an Absent Leader
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Reprinted with permission from PPAI Media
An absent leader is exactly what it sounds like: Someone who is rarely or never available. Even if they’re sitting right across from you, they’re not present in the moment but thinking about what’s next. This may sound familiar if you’re a leader yourself. You may not check in with your team as often as you’d like — not because you don’t care but because you just don’t have the bandwidth.
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You are receiving this email because you have participated in our events, joined our mailing list, and/or are a UMAPP member. The Upper Midwest Association of Promotional Professionals (UMAPP) is a promotional professionals regional association for companies and staff in the states of Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Iowa, and Western Wisconsin.
One company membership in UMAPP covers all staff. Visit UMAPP.org for more information.
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Upper Midwest Association of Promotional Professionals admin@umapp.org
UMAPP.org | 651-734-9767 (landline)
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