Minnesota PTA Leadership Summit

April 11th, 2026

9am - 5pm

Minnesota Masonic Heritage Center

11411 Masonic Home Dr, Bloomington, MN 55437

The Minnesota PTA Leadership Summit is where PTA leaders step into their impact. This welcoming, inclusive experience is designed to give you the clarity, tools, and confidence to lead well—and to remind you that you are not doing this work alone.

You’ll gain time-saving strategies, clear guidance, and practical resources that make leadership easier and more effective.

Just as important, you’ll connect with fellow leaders who understand the challenges and share your commitment to children, families, and schools.

You will leave feeling prepared, supported, and inspired—ready to return to your community with renewed confidence and a clear path forward.

This event includes engaging speakers, access to vendors, small-group activities, Minnesota PTA association business, and a catered lunch.

Happening this year!

Howie Berman, Executive Director of National PTA

Howie Berman

Executive Director of National PTA

Membership Workshop

Join us for an essential overview of PTA membership development and sustainability. This session will explore the critical importance of membership to your PTA's mission and impact, while clarifying the key responsibilities of the membership team. Participants will learn practical strategies for maintaining and growing membership throughout the entire year—not just during traditional recruitment periods. We'll also showcase the valuable tools and resources available through National PTA to support your membership efforts. Whether you're new to the membership team or looking to revitalize your approach, this session will equip you with actionable strategies to strengthen your PTA community.

Be inspired! Howie will share the Why of PTA—why our work matters today and how every leader can make a difference, creating communities where everyone belongs.

About Howie Berman:

Howie Berman is a results-driven association executive with over two decades of experience leading and inspiring diverse teams in nonprofit associations. He brings extensive experience in education and advocacy to his role as National PTA's executive director, having spent over a dozen years with education-focused organizations. Prior to National PTA, Berman spent five years as executive director of ACTFL (formerly the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages), where he championed the mission and strategic direction of the organization. During his time at ACTFL, he initiated and oversaw the rollout of a refreshed vision and organizational values, launched the first-of-its-kind Language Connects Foundation in November 2022, and implemented policies and practices that demonstrate commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.

A Certified Association Executive (CAE), Berman earned a bachelor's degree in political science and Spanish from the University of Richmond and a master's degree in Middle Eastern studies from the University of Chicago. He is a passionate advocate for public education, intercultural competence and social justice. He approaches leadership with empathy and humility, focusing on creating spaces where people feel genuinely included and can contribute in meaningful ways.

Berman comes from a PTA family—his mother was deeply involved in their local PTA growing up, and his wife is a local PTA leader. His family lives in Howard County, Maryland. He has a teenage son and daughter. This personal connection to PTA, combined with his family's direct experience in public education, shapes his understanding of the association's mission and the challenges facing families and schools today.

Scott Rudolph

Grey Cloud PTA

Paul Grossklaus Sunset Hill PTA

Minnesota PTA

Panel: Work Smarter, Not Harder

What if your PTA could run more smoothly—with less stress? We'll explore smart strategies that can save time, simplify your work, and strengthen your impact. You’ll leave with practical tools, real-world ideas, and fresh approaches to help your PTA run more efficiently—and make leadership transitions easier.

Joanne Barkmeier

Bamber Valley PTA

Minnesota PTA

Amy Nelson

Minnesota PTA

Workshop: Capacity & Purpose

Are you a few too many leaders juggling a long list of events, fundraising and services? Worried about not having new leadership? Join us to talk about being very intentional in planning your calendar year to have the best impact as a PTA leader. We will talk about keeping a focus on the mission of PTA to have an impactful purpose, intentional fundraising versus the 'asks' for fundraising, and learning how to function within your board capacity. We will also talk about the most important thing you can do that keeps your PTA healthy year to year.

Thank You to this year's Sponsors, & Partners!

See this year's Sponsors & Partners.

Find new resources, services, and fundraisers with this year's convention sponsors. Our sponsors offer your PTA new and unique fundraising, important services and information, as well as event and products to help you map your calendar year more effectively, effeciently, and with greater ease.

Frequently Asked Questions

"What is the agenda for the Leadership Summit?"

The agenda is coming soon! Here is a link to the 2024 Convention Agenda.

“Who should attend Minnesota PTA Leadership Summit?”

Everyone interested in learning more about PTA, Advocating for All Children, or training for our future leaders, this is for you! The MNPTA Leadership Summit is the perfect opportunity to meet other PTA people from around the state and learn from each other. One of the most powerful things you can do as a PTA member is talk with other PTA members and leaders about furthering the mission of PTA - to make every child's potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.

“When is the Leadership Summit?”

The MNPTA Leadership Summit is April 11, 2026 at the Masonic Heritage Center in Bloomington located at 11411 Masonic Home Dr, Bloomington, MN 55437.
A catered lunch will be provided, which will accommodate a variety of dietary needs. If you have specific questions about your dietary needs, please contact us at MNPTA@mnpta.org
Unfortunately, we aren't able to provide refunds, however, we are happy to transfer your registration to another person if you are unable to attend.

“Where will the Leadership Summit be located?”

The MNPTA Leadership Summit will be located at the Masonic Heritage Center in Bloomington located at 11411 Masonic Home Dr, Bloomington, MN 55437. Be sure to follow the signs to the Masonic Heritage Center and Dan Patch Lodge (not to be confused with the Masonic Home Senior Living center on the same grounds). Ample free parking is available.

“Is there a hotel room block for the Minnesota PTA Leadership Summit?”

Hotel(s) offering your special group rate:

Renaissance Minneapolis Bloomington Hotel for 139.00 USD per night - Last Day to Book : Saturday, March 21, 2026

Book your group rate for MNPTA State Convention

“Is there a dress code?”

It is 'come as you are'! There will be people in business casual, and there will be people who are casual. The most important thing is for you to be comfortable!

“Will you be providing breakfast and lunch?”

A formal breakfast will not be provided, so please eat before you come. There will be coffee (and other hot beverages) provided at 8:15am for Coffee & Conversation and some assorted snacks throughout the day.

A catered lunch will be provided, which will accommodate a variety of dietary needs. If you have specific questions about your dietary needs, please contact us at MNPTA@mnpta.org

“Will you provide refunds?”

Unfortunately, we aren't able to provide refunds, however, we are happy to transfer your registration to another person if you are unable to attend. Please contact mnpta@mnpta.org if transferring needs arise.

“Are scholarships available?”

While we encourage all of our local units to set aside funds for leaders and/or members to attend our Annual PTA Convention/Leadership Summit, we recognize that this may not be possible for some units. If your unit cannot afford to send leaders to convention, we highly recommend applying for this scholarship.

Applications are approved on a rolling basis.

Scholarship Applications are due March 15, 2026. - Leadership Summit Scholarship Application

“What do I need to know? I’ve never attended a state PTA convention.”

The annual Minnesota PTA Convention is an essential gathering for our local PTA units, leaders in education, and a growing support network, all which have the health, education and very best welfare of our many Minnesota children in mind.

During our convention time you will be able to:

Network with other local PTA members to share ideas.
Learn about National PTA programs.
Get questions about advocacy answered.
Take workshops to excel your abilities and knowledge.
Listen to amazing guest speakers that will ignite your passion for supporting education.
Get some great tips on communicating more effectively with parents and school staff.
Take with you an abundance of tips & tricks you’ve learned that can be applied as soon as you head home
We touch on the topics that are important to you and provide you with the resources you need to tackle every issue.

“What does the registration fee cover?”

Your registration fee goes to cover the many services and support that Minnesota PTA provides during convention and the rest of the year. Registration cost can be covered by allocating PTA funds in your group for board members and is considered “appropriate use of funds” for the training, networking, and resources you gain by attending the annual convention. Parent Teacher Organizations are not considered PTA members and must pay the non-member price but are welcome to attend. The fee includes technology, swag bags mailed to your home, and support for volunteer work. The experience gained far exceeds the investment.

“Should I bring anything?”

Bring a pen and paper if you want to write down some of the great ideas you’ll hear about. Bring an open mind and absorb some new ideas. Bring your ideas and questions to share. Don’t forget to invite a friend!

If you have comments or suggestions on what you'd like to see during convention, email our office: mnpta@mnpta.org

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