MLBA Spring Conference held Sunday May 6th
The 18th Annual Spring Conference was again held at Cragun’s Lodge on Gull Lake. On a bright an sunny 80 degree Spring day, over 150 attendees gathered for another fun and informative event. The day began with a SALES Server Training Course by certified trainer Robert Foster with special guest Howard Beck from MLBA Platinum Allied Member, Illinois Casualty Company. Then folks attended a seminar on A.D.A. violations and lawsuits as well as other employment issues by Aaron Hartman of Allied Member, Monroe, Moxness, Berg PA. Then attendees sampled beverages and services from over 30 vendors at the Industry Trade Show in Cragun’s large pool area. See below for a complete list of vendors and their contact information.
Vendors
 Anheuser-Busch Jeff Quale, 763-688-3192 mailto:[email protected] |  ATM Source Kevin Starcevich, Mick Sletten 612-325-7006, [email protected] |  August Schell Brewing Mike Lewis, 507-354-5528 [email protected] |
 Breakthru Beverage Sam Brandstad, Justin Turek 651-646-7821, www.breakthrubev.com |  Central McGowan Dean Boese, Wayne Philippi 651-600-2354, [email protected] |  Clearent Ross Erickson, 612-965-4176 [email protected] |
 Core Commercial Real Estate George Novak, Bill Alexander, John Haselbeck 612-723-5450,[email protected] |  Corporate Four Insurance Steven Meyer, 952-893-9218 [email protected] |  Diageo April Haugen, Sarah Brooks, Chris Gotziamann 612-353-7918, [email protected] [email protected] |
 D P M - Dynamic Products Midwest Vern Swedin, Darcy Swedin, Jonathan Arjes, Scott Overson 612-861-5277, [email protected] |  Electronic Game Solutions Shelly Borowicz, LaurelLee Loftsgard 314-692-2600, [email protected] |  Ferndale Realty Shawn Murphy, 651-246-6383 [email protected], www.shawnrmurphy.com |
 Forestedge Winery Steve Twait, 218-224-3535 [email protected] |  Heartland Payment Systems Karen & James Lamb 763-607-0286, [email protected] |  Illinois Casualty Company (Dinner & Presenting Sponsor!) Howard Beck, 309.793.1700 [email protected] |
 KLB Insurance Services (Presenting Sponsor!) Kim Brown, Jackie Brown 651.730.9803 • [email protected] |  MillerCoors John Glenn 952-446-9262 [email protected] |  Monroe Moxness Berg P.A. Aaron Hartman, 952.885.5999 [email protected] |
 Polar Beverages Mike Wurst, Rachel Aufdembrink 651-272-6345, [email protected] |  Prestige Beverage Group Chad Pobuda 651-637-3354, [email protected] www.prestigebevgroup.com |  RITE - Retail Information Technology Enterprises Rick Feuling, Gary Nobel 320.230.2282 • [email protected] |
 Round Lake Vineyards & Winery Jenny Ellenbecker 507-945-0100, [email protected] |  Roundhouse Brewing Patrick Wussow 218-454-2739, roundhousebrew.com |  Scenic Sign Corporation Daryl Kirt 320-252-9400 • [email protected] |
 Shamrock Group (Ice Sponsor!) Wayne Reinert, Dan Rogge 612.824.9600, [email protected] |  Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits Nick Paul, Ken Hansen 612-217-5197, [email protected] |  Three Diamond Corp. Glen Kuhlman, Tim Schuller 651-486-0055 www.3diamond.com |
 Vinocopia (Dinner Wine Sponsor!) Jason Ospina, Marion Dauner, Clark Schmidt 612.455.4005, [email protected] |  WebScanID.com Kyle Schreier, Katie Schreier 763-218-6099, [email protected] |  World Wide Expense Reduction Advisors Kamee Cole, 612-584-0364 [email protected] |
“Hitchville” Performed Their Acoustic Show
After dinner Hitchville entertained with the group’s trademark harmonies, down home personalities, and kinetic stage energy. Check them out here.
ADA Lawsuits and Employment Issues Seminar
Aaron Hartman of Allied Member Monroe Moxness Berg PA spoke about proactive steps to avoid becoming a target of an ADA lawsuit and employment-related claims.
- Americans with Disabilities Act. By the time a lawyer visits your property with a tape measure, it is already too late. Learn the steps you can take to avoid becoming the next target of an ADA lawsuit, and what to do if it happens.
- Sexual Harassment. The #MeToo movement is not limited to Washington D.C. and Hollywood. Learn the best ways to protect your employees and your business from the kinds of unseemly problems we hear about on the news.
- $15/hour Minimum Wage. Few topics have caused more sleepless nights to operators in Minnesota’s largest cities than the $15/hour minimum wage. Learn what is required of your business and the steps necessary to comply with the new and expected regulations in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Live Comedy Show
MLBA ‘s longtime friends at Comedy Gallery Talent, Tom and Scott Hansen have brought some really big names to the Spring Conference over the years and this year is expected to be no exception. Nationally known comedians like Jeff Gerbino, “Fancy” Ray McCloney, Jimmy Wiggins, Jeff Cesario, Dwight York and Scott Hansen have made the MLBA Spring Conference attendees delight with laughter over the past 17 years.
Comedian Mark Poolos was the headliner for the Spring Conference. Check him out here: https://www.markpoolos.com
Comedian Pete Borchers also performed. Check him out here: www.peteborchers.com