NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED March 9th

Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds

15th Annual

Entry
Eligibility

Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2025

15th Annual

Student Awards Nominations

Monday, March 9, 2026

15th Annual

Student Awards Ceremony​

Friday, April 10, 2026

15th Annual

Student Awards Nominations

Monday, March 9, 2026

15th Annual

Student Awards Ceremony​

Friday, April 10, 2026

Tickets
Member Ticket $150

Members may purchase up to two (2) tickets for themselves and one guest.
Members cannot purchase or transfer tickets to non-members.

Member Table for 10 $2,000

Member Table reservations require at least five (5) of the guests to be current members.
Member table includes: Premium seating and a 1/2-page congratulations ad in commemorative digital/print program.

Non-Member Ticket $280
Non-Member Table for 10 $3,000

Table purchase includes: Premium seating and 1/2-page advertisement in our commemorative print/digital program.

Ticket Policy

No individual is allowed entry into the event without being on the registration list. Ticket purchases are non-fundable. You may transfer tickets to different individuals. Members may not transfer member-rate tickets to non-members.

If you need to change guest names or meal choices, please email info@midwestemmys.org.

2025 Upper Midwest Emmy® Awards Ceremony

October 18, 2025

Hosted by

Joe Schmit

Joe Schmit is an award-winning broadcaster, community leader, author and popular keynote speaker.

Joe has received 19 Regional Emmy® Awards from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. In 2020, Joe was awarded The Silver Circle designation by the Upper Midwest Chapter of the Emmys® for extraordinary contributions to the broadcasting industry.

He is a 2019 inductee into the Minnesota Speakers Hall of fame and has earned his CSP (Certified Speaking Professional) designation from the National Speakers Association.

Share & Tag Everywhere
@MidwestEmmys, #MidwestEmmys

Missing Name on Emmy® Entry?

To add a name after nominations September 8th through September 15th, a written application is required and the fee is $250 per-name.
Any names requested to be added to member-rate entries must be members for entry to retain member rate.
Absolutely no names can be added to entries once Regional Emmy® Awards are announced.

Award Store

Use your current membership for discounts on past Regional Emmy® Awards! Anyone listed on official nominated or recipient entries from 2000 — present may purchase awards.
Nomination Plaques and Regional Statuettes come engraved with entrant’s name and role on entry.

Missing Name on Emmy® Entry?

To add a name after nominations September 8th through September 15th, a written application is required and the fee is $250 per-name.
Any names requested to be added to member-rate entries must be members for entry to retain member rate.
Absolutely no names can be added to entries once Regional Emmy® Awards are announced.

Award Store

Use your current membership for discounts on past Regional Emmy® Awards! Anyone listed on official nominated or recipient entries from 2000 — present may purchase awards.
Nomination Plaques and Regional Statuettes come engraved with entrant’s name and role on entry.

EVENT LOCATION
Mystic Lake Event Center

2400 Mystic Lake Blvd NW, Prior Lake, MN 55372

NO TICKETS SOLD AT DOOR! No individual is allowed entry into the event without being on the registration list. Ticket purchases are non-fundable. You may transfer tickets to different individuals. Members may not transfer member-rate tickets to non-members.

Gala Schedule

If you need to change guest names or meal choices, please email info@midwestemmys.org.

5:00pm - 6:30pm

Social hour with cash bar & wine sales

6:00pm

Ballroom doors open

6:30pm

Dinner service begins

7:00pm

Gold & Silver Circle Honors program

7:40pm

Intermission

8:00pm - 10:30pm

Regional Emmy® Awards Ceremony

HOTEL
Emmy® Group Rate: $175 per-night + sales & room tax

Rates based on single/double occupancy. There is a $10 charge for each additional person. A maximum of 5 people per room is allowed.

RESERVATIONS

Emmy® Group rate available until room block is full or by Sep. 26, 2025.
Call hotel at 952-445-9000 or toll free at 800-262-7799. Use group name: "Upper Midwest Emmy Awards Block."

Once a reservation is made, all changes, additions, or cancellations should be directed to the reservations office. All reservations canceled after 4:00 PM Central Time on the day before arrival will incur a charge equal to the first night's room rate, billed to the credit card on file.

Hosted by

Carla Beaurline

Carla Beaurline is a seasoned television and media professional with a career spanning over 38 years, both in front of and behind the camera. She currently serves as the Regional Vice President of Sales for Stream Companies, an award-winning, full-service, tech-enabled advertising agency that has earned a spot on the Inc. 5000 list 18 times.

Carla is also the founder and owner of Around Town TV & Around Town TV LIVE, the longest-airing community television showcase in Minneapolis–St. Paul.

Carla served eight years on the Board of Governors for the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS), Upper Midwest Chapter, and has been a long-standing member of its Foundation Board for over a decade. Carla is a current Board member of the Upper Midwest Emmy® Foundation and volunteers her time to do Red Carpet interviews at the Student Production Awards shows. In 2022, she was inducted into the prestigious Upper Midwest Emmy® Silver Circle Honor Society, recognizing her extraordinary contributions to the television industry and her lifetime of achievements.

Gold & Silver Circle Honors Show

October 18, 2025

2025 Honorees

Terry O'Reilly

NATAS
New York NY

Cortney Kintzer

KCCI
Des Moines, IA

Judy Clark

WEAU
Eau Claire, WI

Mary Lahammer

Twin Cities PBS
St. Paul, MN

Stacey Nogy

KARE
Minneapolis, MN

Joe Conlon

Town Square TV
Inver Grove Heights, MN

2025 Board of Governors Emmy® Award
Home for the Holidays

OTHER WAYS TO WATCH

This televised ceremony will be streamed for online and mobile devices on the Upper Midwest Emmy® YouTube channel and The Emmy® App.

The Emmy® App, is a dedicated platform powered by Vimeo. All programming is available watch.TheEmmys.TV and via The Emmy® apps for iOS, tvOS, Android devices. FireTV, AndroidTV and Roku (full list at apps.theemmys.tv).

Leah Henry 

Producer

Student Production AWards HostS

Leah Henry is a Regional Emmy® winning producer at WCCO-TV. For nearly seven years, she’s produced one of Minnesota’s most-watched newscasts, WCCO News at 10 p.m.

While attending St. Cloud State University (and meeting her reporter husband, Ben), Leah got her start in TV by working as an assignment editor at WCCO. She then became one of WCCO’s weekend producers before she and Ben moved to Fort Myers, Florida. There, Leah was recognized by the Florida Associated Press Broadcasters for excellence in producing. Her newscasts also received several regional Edward R. Murrow Awards. In 2019, Leah and Ben jumped at the opportunity to continue their careers back home in Minnesota.

Leah’s career has put her in the front row of major moments over the last decade: George Floyd’s killing and the unrest that followed, the global COVID-19 pandemic, the confession that led investigators to Jacob Wetterling, the Parkland school shooting, Hurricane Irma, the death of Prince.

Ben Henry

Reporter

Ben Henry is a Regional Emmy® winning reporter with 5 Eyewitness News. For the last six years, his coverage has ranged from multiple events of civil unrest - including after the killing of George Floyd - many city council and school board meetings, to severe weather across the state.

He says some of his most fulfilling work has been covering stories that support veterans and first responders, while also filling in at the anchor desk.

Before working in the Twin Cities to report where he grew up, Ben reported and anchored in Fort Myers, Florida where he was recognized by the Florida Associated Press Broadcasters for his work as an MMJ. Before that, he started his reporting career in Rochester, Minnesota.

Ben and Leah are both former Upper Midwest Emmy® Foundation Student Production Award Nominees in 2011 & 2012.

proud sponsor of student awards

Hotel reservations

NEW HOTEL FOR 2026 - Intercontinental Hotel (11 Kellogg Blvd. St. Paul, MN) is offering a special conference discount rate of $109 per-night, plus taxes & fees.

Click button below and adjust the arrival and departure dates as needed, and click on your room type. The discount is automatically applied.

Make phone reservations at 651-292-1900. To get discount, use reference group code: MJC or Midwest Journalism Conference.

DEADLINE TO RESERVE ROOM WITH CONFERENCE DISCOUNT IS FRIDAY, March 20th, 2026.

AWARDS NIGHT SCHEDULE

Intercontinental Hotel
11 Kellogg Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55101

5:00PM — Registration opens
5:00PM - 6:30pm — Career/College Fair
6:15PM — Ballroom opens
7:00PM — Awards Show

AWARD STORE

Anyone listed on official SPA nominated or recipient entries from 2011 – present may purchase awards. Nomination Certificates and Crystal Pillar Awards come engraved with entrant’s name and role on entry.

Code of Conduct

I. The Code of Ethical Conduct

The Code of Ethical Conduct (“Code of Conduct) is a policy outlining the principles and standards that all employees, members, and third parties acting on behalf of NATAS and its chapters must follow to maintain the high standard of professional conduct critical to the continued prestige of the organization (NATAS) and the National and Regional Emmy® Awards.  All NATAS national and regional events are to be a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for everyone to enjoy and celebrate. This Code of Conduct applies to all participants at events, competitions, or on our social media channels; to Chapter members, guests, staff, volunteers, and vendors.

II.  Definition of Ethical Conduct and Practices

NATAS has zero tolerance for discrimination or harassment, illegal, dishonest, or unethical conduct. As such, members are expected to refrain from committing any act that will degrade NATAS in society, or prejudice, damage or harm the standing, reputation, welfare, and/or best interests of NATAS and its Members. NATAS will not tolerate, condone, or ignore unethical conduct and is committed to enforcing these standards at all levels.

III. Covered Conduct

NATAS and its regional chapters do not tolerate:
- Intimidation or threats
- Inappropriate disruptions
- Unwanted physical contact
- Hurtful language, hate speech, or discriminatory acts
- Physical assault
- Unwanted sexual attention
- Bullying or stalking

Disorderly behavior as a result of public intoxication or other impairment related to substance abuse. Any other action or activity which could reasonably be construed as contrary or detrimental to the best interests and reputation of NATAS and its regional chapters. A present conviction of a felony or other crime of moral turpitude is also a violation of this code of conduct. Members are responsible for the conduct of their guests as well.

IV. Enforcement

NATAS and its regional chapters reserve the right to remove or ban any person who does not adhere to the Code of Conduct:

If you are asked to stop any harassing behavior, you must cease the behavior immediately. 

If you experience or witness any form of harassment or violation of this Code of Conduct, contact:
(i)  The nearest NATAS staff member, if a national event
(ii)  The nearest Chapter Governor or regional staff member, if a regional event
(iii)  You may submit an email complaint to reports@emmyonline.tv or to your chapter’s Executive Director

Alleged violations of this Code of Conduct shall be reviewed and resolved in accordance with procedures adopted by NATAS Bylaws and/or Chapter Bylaws. Violations of the Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action, up to and including but not limited to being refused admission or ejected from an event, being barred from future events, disqualification or suspended from participation in NATAS or Chapter competitions, or the suspension or expulsion of membership.

This Code of Conduct is subject to change and may be amended, supplemented or superseded by one or more separate policies without further notice. All Members are responsible for continuous review of this Code.

Student Production Awards College/Career Fair

Network on Awards Night! Meet pros, college reps and colleagues as you celebrate the evening Friday April 11th @ Hilton Double Tree in Bloomington, MN

Nearly 300 high school and college students attend this annual event. It’s a tremendous opportunity for company managers/HR representatives to meet with hundreds of potential job seekers!

College/Career Fair Booth

Participating Companies:

Gray Television
KSTP - Hubbard Broadcasting
Minnesota Broadcasters Association
Iowa State University
St. Cloud State University
University of Minnesota - Hubbard School of Journalism

RESERVATION DEADLINE

Reserve ad space and/or booth by March 14th. Artwork deadline March 17th.

26th Annual
UPPER MIDWEST REGIONAL

EMMY® AWARDS

2025 SAVE THE DATES

EARY BIRD ENTRIES

June 2nd - June 6th

ENTRY DEADLINE

June 20th

NOMINATIONS

September 8th

REGIONAL AWARDS CEREMONY

October 18th

14th ANNUAL
UPPER MIDWEST EMMY® FOUNDATION
nominations
March 10th, 2025
awards ceremony
April 11th, 2025