I would like to thank the MIAMA membership for passing the MIAMA Alumni By Law to form an Alumni group made up of retirees and those no longer in the business. It is now time to search out those eligible to be members of this program.

If you have contact with or have contact information for any retirees and soon to be retirees please have them contact; Walt Bruley @ 218-340-0532 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.        We will have them go through the simple sign up process and be approved. We will then form Alumni member teams who will reach out to MIAMA member rinks and non-member as well, working as an educational and recruiting tool.

With the approved restructuring By Law change going away from the District policy of MIAMA, I see the Alumni group as a way to reach our member rinks that may not benefit from multimedia information provided by MIAMA.

The Alumni By Law voted on by the membership was not unanimous and I take that as a challenge to have this group work hard to impress those who may question this effort. If anyone has a question or concern please contact Walt directly, I will be glad to talk with you.

Please help me get in touch with any retiree and soon to be retiree and we can get started.

Thanks; Walt Bruley

Laker Conversion will convert most propane-powered ice resurfacers to electric at a fraction of the cost of a new electric ice resurfacer. A typical conversion costs $34,000; freshen up your ice resurfacer with a new paint job for only $5,000 more. Your old propane-powered ice resurfacer will look like new, with the most important benefit of zero carbon monoxide emissions. Conversion packages include a 225 amp hour, 132 volt battery pack, eleven inch electric motor, with a 40 amp charger. We also replace your horizontal and vertical auger bearings and wash water and ice-making water valves.

Air quality and the safety of our children is not something to be taken lightly. Convert your existing propane-powered ice resurfacers to electric.

For more information, visit www.lakerconversion.com, or call Darrell Shaugabay ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) or Keith Astrup ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) at 800-834-7552. Ask about our loaner program that allows you to have your ice resurfacer converted with no down time. Call now to schedule your conversion.

Maybe spring has finally arrived, temperatures are nearing normal and maybe we are done with the snow.

With that it’s time for the annual MIAMA Spring Workshop which will be held Tuesday May 7th at the Xcel Energy Center.

The Spring Workshop is loaded with interesting topics and a chance to look over the latest from our Vendor members too.

It’s a great time to reward your staff and treat them to a day of fun and networking as well as the knowledge from the topics.

We have 2 great sessions this year that we feel very important to the operation of every arena.

The Media and Public Relations session will be presented by members of the Xcel Energy Center Media Relations staff. This session will cover a wide variety of topics dealing with public, customer and media. With so many options in social media these days' news travels fast and we need to be aware of the impact it can have the arena's reputation.

The second large topic is an Indoor Air Quality Rules session will be presented by John Olson from the MN. Department of Health. Topics will include overview of the new rule, explanation of requirements and a timeline for implementation.

We hope to see you at the Xcel!

MIAMA Southwest Region

Board Member

Bob Haala    

Over 40 members attended a retirement lunch for Mike Brooks and Jim "Sliv" McGree Tuesday April 23rd at New World Pizza in Inver Grove Hts. it was a gathering of young and old and very good to see some familiar faces from MIAMA's recent past too!

For Sliv it’s been a long enjoyable run starting back in the early 70's working for the City Parks Department & settling in at the Hastings Civic Arena since 1982.  Sliv will stay busy working with some friends helping on their farms, playing some golf and hockey and enjoying his favorite team the Raiders! Hastings Raiders that is.  Sliv recalled when talking with Andy Baltgalvis (Bloomington) about when they used to play hockey together way back in 1968 at Bramear Arena!

Mike Brooks had a big smile on his face when asked what’s next as he retired from the Hudson Arena this spring.  Gardening first when the weather allows and working just enough to stay busy without stressing.  He plans to travel to Hawaii and the Carolinas’ to see family and grandkids over the cold winter months in coming years.  Mike started with the City of Burnsville in the 60's working warming houses and in 1972 came inside at the arena.

It was really good to see Craig Panning (formerly of St Louis Park) at the lunch. Craig is doing well after retiring last spring. He's been spending some time working on projects at the cabin and helping friends who do this very same type of work.  The cabin work provides enough enjoyment and keeps him enjoying life.

Mike Mattson was also there and looking young as ever. He's enjoying is time keeping busy with odds and ends.  We also were pleased to see Tom Moriarty and Rick Rakness at the lunch as they too had those "happy" retirement faces going!

We encourage all members whether young or old to attend these activities and keep in touch.  For those who are retiring in the near future let us know so we can do another lunch soon!  A special thanks to Mark Vaughn (Eagan) for arranging the event for Mike and Sliv.

For a look the lunch tab over to the photo section!

PerformArt provides it’s customers with high quality, affordable in-ice logos, dasher board advertisements, banners and concourse signage. Founded in 1994, PerformArt is owned and operated by Scott and Ricki Snider of East Bethel. This year marks our 19^th season and we look forward to another exciting year serving the advertising needs of Ice Arenas and cost conscious organizations all across the “State of Hockey”

Some of our most notable projects have included the center ice logo at the 2004 NHL All Star game “Fantasy” rink and the “WELLS FARGO” logo that is displayed each year during the Winter Carnival right in front of the Landmark Center.

We manufacture our in ice logos out of either light weight paper or re-usable vinyl. Both are fully perforated and ready to install. Our dasher board advertisement panels and wall banner are printed using UV inks that will provide years of fade resistant performance. PerformArt offers complete design services as well to assist you in developing and enhancing your arena, skating club or team logos. No project is too small or too large.

Contact Scott or Ricki Snider @ 763-413-3323 or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.