Michigan Townships Association

Exhibitor Opportunities

2026 MTA Expo is coming to the Grand Traverse Resort April 21 & 22, 2026 is SOLD OUT! Join the waitlist below. 

Township officials and employees from all over the state are invited to MTA’s Conference & Expo! If local government is your market, the MTA Conference & Expo offers your company access to township officials from across the state! More than 6,500 township officials need both the education and connection offered at our Conference. And an important part of our Conference is you!

Ensure you are on the email list for Conference sponsorship opportunities and Expo registration information!

IMPORTANT: All expo registration and housing confirmations will come from MTA or our housing bureau, Grand Connection; any third-party emails or websites are fraudulent. Similarly, MTA does not use a third party to distribute attendee lists. Treat all other solicitations as fraudulent. 

See complete details below.

Vendor Opportunities

More than 1,000 township officials, employees and board/commission members from across the state will gather at the year’s most important educational and networking event, MTA’s Annual Conference & Expo, held April 21 & 22, 2026, at the Grand Traverse Resort in Traverse City.

EXPO

Looking for an opportunity to connect one on one with township decision makers? The MTA Expo guarantees access to hundreds of potential customers in a short amount of time.

ADVERTISING

Advertising in the Conference program is a sure-fire way to get your message in front of your target audience. The four-color program, distributed to every Conference attendee, is also used as a reference guide all year!

CONFERENCE SPONSORSHIP

Looking for visibility, brand recognition, and to increase your company’s marketing efforts to more than 6,500 township officials? Demonstrate your commitment to township government and contribute to the success of the Conference by becoming a Conference sponsor.

Click the floorplan below to see who's exhibiting!

Indoor Tennis Courts

Hear directly from vendors about the benefits of participating & discover why YOU should be part of this exciting event!

MTA Expo Waitlist

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Contact Email(Required)

MTA Expo

Grand Traverse Resort | Indoor Tennis Courts | April 21 & 22
Each booth is 10×10, carpeted
$1050/booth  •  $999/booth if three or more are reserved   •  $799/non-profit booth

Allied Service Providers receive discounts on Expo booths, Program advertising and other benefits throughout the year. (President’s Roundtable 15% discount, Leadership Circle 10%, Keystone Club 5%)

  • 8-foot-high draped back wall with 3-foot-high side rails
  • 8-foot covered and skirted display tables, two chairs and a wastebasket
  • One sign per exhibitor with company name and booth number
  • Conference program (includes attendee list)
  • 5 drink tickets for April 21 MTA Expo Reception
  • WiFi suitable for checking email and browsing the internet
  • Listing in the April/May issue of Township Focus
  • Listing in the exhibitor product data guide in the Conference program distributed on-site to all attendees, guests, speakers and exhibitors
  • Name badges (must be submitted by March 20)
BOOTH ASSIGNMENTS
  • For best available booth, purchase your exhibit booth online. Registrations received via email or mail will be processed in the order they are received with full payment. Complete this form to pay by check. 
  • Exhibit spaces are assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis, with priority given to MTA Allied Service Providers and sponsors. 
  • Exhibitors may not share a booth with another company.
FURNISHINGS & UTILITIES

Additional furnishings for your booth can be ordered through Art Craft Display, MTA’s contracted drayage company. To order, visit www.showorders.com/exhibitorkit and enter event code 365952. If you have questions, contact Art Craft directly at 616.791.8024. Art Craft offers discounted rates when ordering online by 5 p.m. on April 6. MTA will carpet the exhibit hall.

Utilities—including electricity, phone lines and internet connectivity—can be ordered through the facility. The advance order deadline for utilities is April 3. Complete the following form: Utilities. Questions can be directed to Steve Baehr at 231.534.6202 or Steve.Baehr@gtresort.com. If ordering electricity, bring your own extension cords. NOTE: WiFi suitable for checking email and browsing the internet is provided in the Expo hall.

CONFIRMATION

Exhibitors will receive a confirmation email, which will include booth assignment, name badge form, information on ordering additional booth furnishings and personalized housing code to reserve rooms in select hotels with MTA room blocks. 

HOTEL RESERVATIONS AVAILABLE JAN. 27, 2025 AT 10 A.M.

Discounted rooms in the MTA housing block will be available for exhibitors at area hotels. To make hotel reservations, but you must register for the Expo before making room reservations. Once your Expo registration and payment are received and processed, you will receive a personalized housing code, necessary for reserving rooms through MTA’s housing bureau, at www.grandconnection.com/mta2026.  

To provide the best experience for our attendees, rooms at the Grand Traverse Resort are limited to Conference attendees. 

IMPORTANT: All expo registration and housing confirmations will come from MTA or our housing bureau, Grand Connection; any third-party emails or websites are fraudulent.

CANCELLATIONS

Registration cancellation requests must be received in writing prior to Feb. 13, 2026 to qualify for a 50% refund. No refunds will be issued thereafter. There are no exceptions. 

MTA Expo Rules

The Michigan Townships Association (MTA) reserves the right to reject any exhibit deemed offensive and reflecting unfavorably on township government or the Association.

MTA reserves the right to restrain any exhibits that, because of noise, operation method or other reason, become objectionable.

Unless prior written permission is received from MTA, the maximum height for all partitions and dividers must not exceed three (3) feet. These height limitations do not apply to displayed merchandise or to end-cap booths.

MTA reserves the right to restrain any exhibit materials or construction that obstructs the view of adjacent booths. No merchandise may extend from the exhibit booth into the aisles. Aisles and doorways must remain unobstructed. Exhibitors are asked to maintain the appearance of their booths at all times.

Exhibitors displaying vehicles will be responsible for their own floor protection including drop cloths under engines and boards under tires. Vehicle must be five gallons or ¼ tank, whichever is less, of fuel. Vented gas caps need to be taped (sealed). Batteries are to be disconnected with the cable ends taped and wire-tied down to prevent them from contacting the terminal posts. All vehicles, even electric, should be diapered as they still have moving parts that are lubricated. 100% electric vehicles would be exempt from fuel controls. Electric/gas combo models would follow the rules and regulations for internal combustion engine vehicles (gas, diesel).

Exhibitors may not use the lobby entrance to the hotel for moving in exhibit materials. All exhibitors, equipment and materials must enter using the appropriate loading dock near the tennis courts and spa. Exhibitors shall be solely responsible for delivery, handling, setup and removal of their own displays and materials. Grand Traverse Resort does not supply labor or carts for setup. Dispose of refuse in appropriate containers.

All trucks, trailers and exhibit vehicles are required to park at the Grand Traverse Resort water tower parking lot, or as designated.

NO SMOKING on the exhibit floor at ANY TIME.

Open flame is not permitted. Fire regulations will be observed. All pertinent fire codes and laws, ordinances, and regulations pertaining to health, fire prevention and public safety shall be strictly observed. Fire exits cannot be blocked at any time—no exceptions. Use of crepe paper is not permitted and all decorative materials shall be fireproof. No flammable liquids will be permitted within the building.

No helium balloons are permitted in the exhibit hall.

Exhibitors and their representatives must wear official identification badges, supplied by MTA, while they are in the exhibit hall.

The exhibit hall will be locked overnight. MTA and the facility cannot be held responsible for the security of any exhibits or belongings within or outside of the exhibit hall at any time. Exhibitors may contract additional security as necessary.

All exhibit materials should be shipped to Art Craft Display. Exhibit materials shipped to the facility may be re-consigned back to Art Craft Display. The facility will not be responsible for additional shipping charges and delivery delays that may result. Storage is NOT available for crates or excess exhibit material prior, during or after the show.

All electrical outlets must be supplied and installed by building personnel only. Utility ordering information will accompany your confirmation materials.

All set-up must be completed in time for the show opening. If an exhibit is not set up by 10 a.m., MTA reserves the right to assign that exhibitor’s space to another company.

Each exhibit must be attended by a company representative at all times while the Expo is open. NO BOOTH MAY BE LEFT UNATTENDED AT ANY TIME DURING OFFICIAL EXPO HOURS.

ALL EXHIBITS MUST REMAIN INTACT UNTIL EXPO CLOSING.  MTA RESERVES THE RIGHT TO PENALIZE ANY EXHIBITOR NOT COMPLYING WITH THIS MOVE-OUT SCHEDULE. EXHIBITORS WHO MOVE OUT AFTER SCHEDULED HOURS WILL BE SUBJECT TO FEES FOR OVERTIME WORK.

Any damages to the building caused by exhibitors or their employees must be paid by the exhibitor. Exhibitors may not fasten any display fixtures to the building floor, or put nails, screws or tacks on the building walls. No signs, posters or other materials may be attached to any doors, walls or other areas of the the facility.

The exhibitor assumes all responsibility and liability for losses, damages and claims arising out of injury, damage or theft to their displays, equipment and other property brought onto the premises of the facility. The exhibitor shall indemnify and hold harmless the facility, agents, servants and employees, and MTA from all such losses, damages and claims.

Exhibitors, by contracting for display space, agree to all rules and regulations of the Grand Traverse Resort management and MTA.

Should the premises for the show, in MTA’s sole judgment, become unfit for occupancy, or should the Conference & Expo be materially interfered with by any act beyond the control of MTA, the contract for exhibit space will be terminated. MTA will not incur any liability for damages to an exhibitor as a result of such termination.

Already registered for the Expo? Here's what's next!

Reserve hotel rooms beginning Jan. 27 at 10 a.m. Allied Service Providers keep an eye out for early access information!

Advertise in the Conference Program contract and ad copy deadline: March 6

Company information and name badge form deadline: March 20

Electricity order deadline: April 3; after that, floor rates may apply

Additional furnishings from Art Craft Display order deadline: 5 p.m. on April 6, use event code 365952

SCHEDULE
Exhibitor Move-in:
Monday, April 20
1 to 4 p.m.
AND
Tuesday, April 21
8 to 10 a.m.
Enjoy a cup of coffee on MTA during early set-up hours.
Expo Open:
Tuesday, April 21
10:15 a.m to 2:45 p.m. AND
MTA Evening in the Expo Reception
4 to 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 22
9:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Exhibitor Move-out:
Wednesday, April 22
1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

MTA Evening in the Expo Reception

Tuesday, April 21 | 4-5:30 p.m.

Exhibitors, get ready to elevate your presence at the MTA Expo Reception! Want to leave a lasting impression on township officials and make your exhibit stand out? Hand out five drink tickets (included in your booth purchase) and become the toast of the town(ship)!

Additional Options

Draw more attention to your booth!

Add a 24-by-24 inch color floor graphic to your booth purchase and attendees won’t have any question as to where to find your company. Graphics include exhibitor logo and booth number, and will be placed in high traffic areas. Limited quantity available.

Network after the Expo!

Exhibitors can purchase MTA Banquet tickets when registering for the Expo. After the Expo closes on April 22, stick around and enjoy dinner, network with old clients and new, and watch the evening program and entertainment. Exhibitors must exchange the voucher at the MTA Ticket Xchange to select a seat. Additional details will be included in the on-site program. Limited quantity available.

Hospitality Suites & Meeting Rooms

Sponsors and MTA Allied Service Providers have the opportunity to reserve hospitality suites and large rooms at the Grand Traverse Resort beginning Dec. 15. Contact Kristin Kratky at (517) 321-6467 ext. 230 or kristin@michigantownships.org for more information.

Vendor Showcase
Vendor Showcase

Vendor Showcases at MTA’s Regional Summits and Professional Development Retreats are held on alternating years!

Professional Development Retreats & Vendor Showcase Fall 2027
Regional Summits & Vendor Showcase Fall 2026

Bring together your company and township decision-makers when you promote your products and services to township leaders! Don’t miss your chance to be a part of MTA’s Vendor Showcase each fall! We’ve designed these events to bring township officials together for an exciting, educational and networking opportunity plus time to connect with township vendors! 
Stay tuned for registration information!

Limited vendor space is available at each location! Advanced registration is required. 

Included:

  • Networking opportunities
  • Real sales leads
  • Meal functions with township leaders
  • Table for your display

Take your participation to the next level!  Become a sponsor of Regional Summits or Professional Development Retreats and get heightened visibility and exclusive marketing opportunities while supporting townships across the state. 

Not on our email list?

Be the first to learn about vendor opportunities. Submit your company name and email below.

Questions? Email MTA or call (517) 321-6467.