Description

Thank you to our registered exhibitors and event sponsors for the 2025 CGMC Summer Conference! 

EXHIBITOR LOGISTICS & SCHEDULE

The 2025 Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities Summer Conference will be held at the Sanford Center in Bemidji, Minnesota from July 23-25, 2025. The Exhibit Hall will be open on Thursday, July 24 from 10:30am to 3pm.

Presenting sponsors should check their emails for more information about early check-in and Wednesday evening activities.

Conference Location

The exhibit hall and all conference activities are located at the Sanford Center (1111 Event Center Drive NE, Bemidji, MN 56601).

Check-In & Setup

Exhibitors can check in and set up their booths from 8am to 10am on Thursday, July 24. Your booth materials and name tags will be available at your booth when you arrive.

Parking & Loading

Parking is available for free at the Sanford Center. Exhibitors should load through the main entrance to the Sanford Center. 

Tear Down 

All exhibit equipment must be torn down by 5pm on Thursday, July 24.

Booth Specifications & Equipment

All booths will have a 6-foot table and two chairs. If you indicated that you needed electrical access during registration, there will be an electrical connection available at your booth. There is no separator between booths in the same row. Booths will have pipe-and-drape or a wall behind them. 

Name tags and exhibitor packets will be at each booth upon arrival. If you have made any changes to booth attendees after July 15, please visit the registration table for an updated name tag.

Detailed Schedule

Thursday, July 24

8:00am – Exhibitor registration & set up opens. Exhibitors should load through the main entrance to the Sanford Center. The Exhibit Hall is located in the Lakeview Rooms.  

Light breakfast for exhibitors available in Exhibit Hall.

10:00am – Attendees return from tours

10:30am – Exhibit Hall opens

Snack for attendees available in Exhibit Hall.

12:00pm – Lunch presentation

Exhibitors are invited to join attendees in the banquet hall for all meals and presentations on Thursday.

1:00pm – Exhibitor Break

1:30pm – Presentation

2:30pm – Exhibitor Break

Snack for attendees available in Exhibit Hall.

3:00pm – Exhibit Hall closes

Vendors begin teardown.

5:00pm – Cocktail Reception 

Exhibitors are invited to join attendees for the Cocktail Reception, the Legislative Awards Dinner, and all late-night activities.

6:00pm – Legislative Awards Dinner

8:00pm – Late-Night Activity: Mini Golf 

About the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities
The Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities (CGMC) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization with 120 member cities from throughout Greater Minnesota. Our mission is to develop viable, progressive communities through strong economic growth and good local government. 

About the CGMC Summer Conference 
The annual CGMC Summer Conference brings together more than 100 staff and elected officials from our member cities, as well as legislators, policymakers, and other leaders from throughout the state. In addition to a trade show, the three-day event features educational sessions, tours of the host community, networking opportunities, social events, and the annual CGMC Legislative Awards Dinner. 

Who typically attends the CGMC Summer Conference?
Mayors, councilmembers, city administrators, and other city staff from CGMC member cities. In 2024, more than 100 people representing 40 cities attended the conference. A complete list of current CGMC member cities is available on our website at www.greatermncities.org/coalition. 

EXHIBITOR LEVELS & PRICING

Conference Exhibitor - $750 ($650 with early registration)

Includes:

• 6-foot table with 2 chairs
• Basic listing, including company logo, description and contact information, in vendor guide
• Listing in online exhibitor directory
• Two exhibitor attendee registrations for Thursday, July 24 including meals and beverages
• Two tickets to the cocktail reception and Legislative Awards Dinner on Thursday, July 24
• Access to conference attendee list

Additional exhibitor attendee registrations are available for $75 per person.

Presenting Sponsor - $1,250 ($1,000) with early registration)

Includes everything at the Conference Exhibitor level, as well as:

• Two tickets to dinner and activities with conference attendees on Wednesday, July 23
• Premium listing, including company logo, description, and contact information, in vendor guide
• Logo included in event emails and on event registration page
• Logo included in conference slide show
• Recognition in Legislative Awards Dinner program
• Early registration access for future CGMC events
• Access to exclusive additional sponsorship opportunities

Additional exhibitor attendee registrations are available for $75 per person.

LODGING INFORMATION

The CGMC room blocks at the Country Inn & Suites and the South Shore Hotel have closed. There may still be rooms available to book directly with the hotels.