2023 UMCS A Success

After the convention, the UMCS committee sent a survey to the attendees and exhibitors to rate and review the show. The same questions are used each year to allow an accurate comparison of the shows year to year. The responses were overwhelmingly positive, with 2023 rated higher

(very good or excellent) than 2022. Attendees love the exhibitors, show floor, and the workshops (including positive feedback on the increased number of workshops and change in format).

The trend continued for the

The 2023 UMCS Convention was held in St. Paul on April 17-19, hosting a new record of attendees for the show.

Having heard the request from previous attendees, the UMCS committee moved the educational sessions from Tuesday and Wednesday to Monday and Wednesday, allowing a full day on Tuesday for the show floor to be open to attendees. Exhibitors set up on Monday morning, as attendees found interest in the ew arrangement for the educational sessions.

The 2023 educational sessions were increased from 4 to 14 workshops. Monday offered 3 tracks – Biofuels, EV and Business owner, each with three workshops to choose from. On Tuesday, the show floor was PACKED all day with attendees visiting exhibitor’s booths. Wednesday offered a driver track, office professional track and C-Store track.

After the incredible turn out for the Monday educational tracks, Monday night attendees enjoyed a hospitality night and heard from EMA President Rob Underwood addressing legislative issues.

By Sarah Bowman, Communications Director , FUELIowa

Games, music, beverages and the auction closed the evening.

Tuesday morning, the show started Denton Cinquegrana with OPIS addressing attendees and each State held their State of the Associations. During the Minnesota meeting, they announced a name change. After 100 years of Minnesota Petroleum Marketers, they have changed their name to Fueling Minnesota. Congratulations on 100 years and the rebrand to our neighbors to the North!

Tuesday allowed a full day of show floor access for the attendees, and the change was well received. Exhibitors used social media to promote their booth space, and engagement on the UMCS social media accounts was highly active. The day wrapped up with Happy Hour on the show floor, dinner, and entertainment from Williams & Ree, who had all those in attendance in laughter.

Wednesday morning began with the Prayer Breakfast Speaker, Dan Meers, sharing his story of overcoming adversity, injury, and faith. His message of courage, reframing your mindset, and trust in God touched all in attendance. The feedback on his speech was overwhelmingly positive. The final day of the show floor still had the exhibitors busy, even with the educational workshops – a few attendees registered for just the last day!

exhibitor’s responses, rating the 2023 show higher than 2022, and more likely to exhibit next year. The exhibitors preferred the change in workshop time, allowing them to have uninterrupted access to attendees on Tuesday. Of course, reconnecting and networking were also at the top of the list for both attendees and exhibitors. The feedback from attendees and exhibitors is valuable to the planning committee. With your input, we were able to enhance the UMCS show this year and will work to make UMCS 2024 even better!

Save the dates for next year – April 15-17 in St. Paul! We’ll see you there!