Minnesota Partners in Public Health Conference

The conference will feature a mix of keynote speakers and breakout sessions. A Request for Breakout Proposals will be available this summer. Check out past conference agendas and breakout descriptions to get a feel for what’s in store: Past Partners and Community Health Conferences.

We rely on the support of vendors (sponsors and exhibitors) to make this conference a success! The financial support of sponsors and exhibitors helps fund meeting costs and increases access to this important learning and connection opportunity. We are grateful for your consideration of being involved! Read the full vendor prospectus: Vendor Prospectus 2026 (PDF).

Sponsors

Sponsors receive increased visibility and play a key role in ensuring a successful Minnesota Partners in Public Health Conference. Sponsorship price-points range from $2,500 to S10,000. When you apply to be a vendor at the conference, you will indicate on the application your interest in sponsoring. There are various sponsorship opportunities available, and conference staff will work with you to find the sponsorship package that perfectly fits your engagement goals and budget.

All sponsorship include:  

• Recognition of sponsorship from the podium during the conference
• Company logo on conference website, on signage at the conference, and on conference materials and/or the conference app
• Full page ad in high traffic areas of the conference
• Recognition of sponsorship with ribbon on nametag  
• Designated listing as a sponsor in the exhibitor guide  
• Exhibit table with central location in exhibit area  
• Free Registration with two conference tickets

Additionally, when you sponsor, you may enjoy the opportunity to:  

• Speak to all conference attendees from the podium about your company/organization
• Lead a breakout session
• Engage with attendees through a special hosted engagement activity
• Provide branded materials that all attendees receive 

Exhibitors

Exhibiting at the conference is a cost-effective way for you to make connections with conference attendees, promote products and services, and is ideal for non-profits and governmental programs. There are several exhibiting tiers. When you fill out the application to be a vendor, you will indicate what type of organization you are which will dictate your exhibitor price.  

Exhibitor levels:

• All for-profit companies and non-profit organizations with over 50 employees: $1,200
• Non-profit organizations with less than 50 employees: $600
• Governmental programs: $400

The exhibitor package includes:

• Exhibit table in exhibit area
• Listing in the exhibitor guide
• Free registration with one conference ticket

Apply to be a vendor

Vendors include both sponsors and exhibitors. The first step is to apply to be a vendor at the conference. Conference staff will be reviewing applications as they come in, and applicants will be sent further instructions on payment, registration, and lodging at the conference. For those that indicate an interest in sponsoring, we will send more information on the specifics of the different sponsorship opportunities.  

Apply to be a vendor now

Note that no payment is required when applying – filling out the application is simply indicating your interest in being involved.  Apply early so you don’t miss your chance to participate at the level you desire – for exhibitors in particular, a limited number of spots are available, and they tend to fill fast!  

Questions

If you have any questions about being a conference vendor (either a sponsor and/or exhibitor) please contact Alicia Rodriguez, LPHA Project Manager, at 651-789-4325 or email arodriguez@mncounties.org.  

We look forward to seeing you at the conference! 

The conference will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 17 through Thursday, Nov. 19, 2026. It will start mid-day on the 17th and go through mid-day on the 19th. The LPHA annual meeting will take place on the 17th before the start of the conference, and an awards ceremony recognizing leaders across our Minnesota public health system will be held during one of the evening dinners. More details coming soon.  

Registration will open this summer. The registration cost per person is estimated to be between $200 - $250 and will include conference meals and materials. The registration fee does not include lodging.  

Start planning your attendance now!

Local public health and Tribal health: Your agency does not have to be a member of LPHA to attend this conference. We want a wide representation of all those in local public health and Tribal health departments – if the cost of attending this conference is a hindrance to your attendance, please email us at health.mpphconference.MDH@state.mn.us as a limited number of scholarships are available: 

MDH: Please speak to your direct supervisor to plan for your attendance at the conference.  

A room block with group rate pricing will be available at the two onsite hotels connected to the Park Event Center for the two nights of the conference. Information about reserving your lodging will be available this summer. For now, you can plan for a nightly rate of approximately $162 + tax. This rate includes breakfast at both hotels as breakfast will not be included in conference registration this year. All individuals will be responsible for making and cancelling their own lodging reservations.  

• Jennifer Anderson, City of Richfield
• Christy Bectold, Emergency Preparedness and Response, MDH
• Kristin Bye, Otter Tail County
• Cory Couillard, Communications Office, MDH
• Lindsi Darco, White Earth Nation
• Michelle Ebbers, Des Moines Valley HHS
• Amy Evans, Dodge County
• Andrea Hickle, Health Promotion and Chronic Disease, MDH
• Emily Johnson, Human Resources, MDH
• Paula Keller, Injury Prevention and Mental Health, MDH
• Erin Melz, Aitkin County
• Naomi Montesa, Office of American Indian Health and Tribal, MDH
• Emily Poncik, Maternal and Child Health, MDH
• Josh Ramaker, La Sueur County
• Sarah Reese, Polk County
• Julie Shelton, Fond du Lac
• Mina Spalla, White Earth Nation
• Maureen (Mo) Spike, Isanti County
• Duzong Yang, Environmental Health, MDH

Staff

• Murphy Anderson, Public Health Strategy and Partnership, MDH
• Tara Carmean, Public Health Strategy and Partnership, MDH
• Mary Lyon, LPHA
• Alicia Rodriguez, LPHA
• Deanna White, Public Health Strategy and Partnership, MDH

I am a local public health professional but not a member of LPHA. Can I attend?

Yes! LPH agencies can send as many people as they want, whether they are an appointed LPHA member or not. Those in leadership and staff positions are all welcome and encouraged to attend.  

I work at a Tribal health department but am not a member of LPHA. Can I attend?

Yes! This conference is open to all those who work in Minnesota’s tribal health departments, whether the Tribe is a member of LPHA or not.  

I work at MDH – how do I know if I can attend?

It is important to have representation from across MDH at this conference. Please speak to your direct supervisor as early as possible if you are interested in attending and work together to determine next steps.

Will continuing education hours be offered?

A certificate of attendance that can be used for continuing education contact hours will be made available to participants after the conference. Number of contact hours TBD.

Will parts of the conference be recorded or live-streamed?

No. This conference will be an in-person event only and there is no plan to record or live-stream parts of the conference.  

If I can’t attend the conference in-person, is there a virtual option?

There will be no virtual attendance option for this conference.

The cost to attend the conference (registration, lodging, travel), is prohibitive to my attendance. Are scholarships available?

Yes, a limited number of scholarships are available to cover the costs associated with attending this conference for those in local or Tribal public health. Please contact us at health.mpphconference.mdh@state.mn.us to learn more.  

Will different dietary needs be accommodated?

Yes, when you register, you will be able to share your dietary restrictions, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs. Note that if you have severe allergies, we cannot guarantee that food is prepared in an allergen free environment, so in that case, you might consider bringing your own food to supplement the conference meals.  

I’m not finding the answer to my question.

This website is always the best place to go for the most up-to-date information about the conference, but if you can’t find what you need, you may reach out to conference planning staff at health.mpphconference.mdh@state.mn.us