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Sen. Al Franken’s Field Representative Charles Sutton (center) meets with (from left) UMAPP Government Relations Council (GRC) Chair David Malek, GRC Member Devin Martin, UMAPP Executive Director Sue Selseth, and UMAPP member David Hawes, MAS+, at Sen. Franken’s offices in St.Paul, Minnesota.

Members of the Upper Midwest Association of Promotional Professionals (UMAPP) have made a number of connections with Minnesota’s legislators in September.

At the beginning of the month, UMAPP Executive Director Sue Selseth, along with Government Relations Council (GRC) Chair David Malek, GRC Member Devin Martin and UMAPP member David Hawes, MAS+, met with Sen. Al Franken’s Field Representative Charles Sutton at Franken’s offices in St. Paul. They discussed major legislative issues confronting the industry, how it contributes to Minnesota’s economic growth, and how the industry’s distribution channels collaborate to solve problems for its end buyers. Hawes says, “Charles was aware of our legislative challenges before we arrived, and seems very committed to helping Senator Franken support our industry. We brought samples of the promotional products we used in recent successful campaigns, and we explained how they helped our end buyers achieve their purpose.”

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Hawes met with Minnesota State Sen. Melissa Franzen earlier this month to discuss the promotional products industry and its role in the state.

Hawes also met with Minnesota State Sen. Melissa Franzen, from District 49, on September 6. He says, “We spent time with her during L.E.A.D. Local in April, and I had promised her a follow-up meeting. Her committee work focuses on three important areas: transportation, healthcare and education. We discussed our industry’s impact on the small business community in Minnesota, and particularly in her district. I think Melissa will be a strong advocate for our industry. Ironically, she is also a small business owner, and is eager to use promotional products to grow her business.”