Minnesota Academy of Physician Associates (MAPA)

What Minnesota Academy of Physician Associates (MAPA) does

Minnesota Academy of Physician Associates (MAPA) is a 50-year-old nonprofit professional membership organization incorporated in Minnesota in 1977, representing physician associates (PAs) practicing, training, or aspiring to practice in the state. The organization is structured as a constituent chapter of the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) and operates as the sole statewide trade association for Minnesota PAs, serving more than 1,000 members including practicing PAs, PA program faculty, PA students, and pre-PA students.

MAPA's core offerings are organized around four product lines: (1) tiered membership subscriptions (Fellow, Sustaining, New Grad, Retired, Student, Pre-PA) that fund advocacy and operations; (2) the Annual CME Conference at Breezy Point Resort, a two-day AAPA-approved continuing education event delivering ~11 Category I + 1 Category II CME hours plus on-demand content, with member and non-member pricing tiers and bundled membership for non-member attendees ($585); (3) legislative advocacy services including PA Day on the Hill, contracted lobbying through Larkin Hoffman, and the Student/New Grad Summit; and (4) ecosystem services including a Career Center, the PA Student Scholarship program (up to $3,000/year for first-year students), the MAPA Awards Program, the MAPA Podcast, and discount partnerships with exam-prep providers (Blueprint PA, StatPearls, smartyPANCE, Exam Master, Master Clinicians, The PA Blueprint, Create Amor).

The business model is a hybrid of subscription recurring revenue (membership dues), transaction fees (CME registration, exhibitor booths, sponsorships, advertising), and affiliate/referral revenue (member discount partners). Day-to-day operations are outsourced to Liberty Square Group, a public affairs firm that employs MAPA's Executive Director (James P. Leahy, CAE) and staff; lobbying services transitioned from Tom Lehman (retired after ~20 years) to Larkin Hoffman (Matthew Bergeron, Julia Page) in 2025; and The Harrington Company has provided administrative support since 2002. The organization is governed by an elected Board of Directors including President Hayden Middleton, with committee leadership spanning CME, Awards, Bylaws, DE&I, Legislative, Leadership Development, Scholarship, Social Media, and Student Relations.

Name

Minnesota Academy of Physician Associates (MAPA)

Legal name

Minnesota Academy of Physician Associates

Website

https://minnesotapa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Minnesota Academy of Physician Associates (MAPA) is a 50-year-old nonprofit professional membership organization and the sole statewide constituent chapter of AAPA serving 1,000+ physician associates, PA students, and pre-PA students in Minnesota through membership dues, an annual CME conference, legislative advocacy, scholarships, and career resources.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Healthcare Professional Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Professional Organizations (81392), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTHAHACAA

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies)

Travel & Hospitality/MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions)/Professional Conference Organizers (PCOs) & Meeting Planners

SECONDARYBPAIAOAC

Standards, Metrology & Accreditation Bodies

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Regulatory Agencies & Licensing (Cross-sector)

Keywords

• Professional association services
• Continuing medical education
• Physician assistant advocacy
• Healthcare workforce development
• Membership services

Headquarters

HQ city

Minnesota

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: MAPA generates primary revenue through tiered membership dues (Fellow, Sustaining, New Grad, Retired, Student, Pre-PA levels). Dues fund advocacy, CME programming, scholarships, and organizational operations.
2. CME Conference Fees: The Annual CME Conference generates revenue through attendee registration fees (member and non-member pricing tiers). Conference also generates exhibitor and sponsor revenue through booth fees, product theaters, and advertising.
3. Exhibitor and Sponsor Revenue: MAPA sells exhibitor booths, product theaters, conference sponsorships (Wi-Fi, lanyard, networking reception, coffee breaks), and advertising slots at the Annual CME Conference to healthcare product companies and organizations.
4. Member Discounts / Partner Revenue: MAPA partners with external companies (Exam Master, Master Clinicians, The PA Blueprint, Blueprint PA, smartyPANCE, StatPearls, Create Amor) to offer member discounts, from which MAPA may receive referral or affiliate revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels15 records

Core offering

MAPA is a professional membership organization for physician associates (PAs) in Minnesota, offering tiered annual memberships, an Annual CME Conference with AAPA-approved credits, state legislative advocacy services, student scholarships and mentorship, a career center, and member discount programs. The organization serves practicing PAs, PA students, and pre-PA students with community-building events, an annual conference at Breezy Point Resort, and PA Day on the Hill advocacy events at the Minnesota State Capitol.

Product overview

Minnesota Academy of Physician Associates (MAPA) is a professional membership organization for Physician Assistants in Minnesota, not a product company. MAPA's offerings include membership services with member discounts, CME conferences (Annual Fall CME Conference), student scholarships and mentorship programs, advocacy and legislative services, career center resources, and various awards programs. The organization hosts an annual CME conference featuring multiple educational tracks and networking opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MAPA Membership

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,000 members served across practicing PAs, PA students, and pre-PA students
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration22 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Larkin HoffmancoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2025Following Tom Lehman's retirement, MAPA contracted with Matthew Bergeron and Julia Page from Larkin Hoffman for professional lobbying services. Larkin Hoffman is a law and consulting firm providing legislative advocacy representation to MAPA at the Minnesota State Capitol.
• Liberty Square GroupcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2025MAPA's Executive Director (James P. Leahy, CAE) and staff are part of Liberty Square Group, a public affairs firm. Liberty Square Group provides day-to-day management, event coordination, and administrative support to MAPA. Contact: [email protected].
• Treat Yourself First CampaignminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025MAPA collaborated on the Treat Yourself First Campaign in 2025, a healthcare access and awareness initiative. Details of the collaboration are not fully specified in available sources.
• Minnesota Alliance for Patient Safety (MAPS)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007MAPA joined the Minnesota Alliance for Patient Safety (MAPS) coalition in 2007, working collaboratively on patient safety initiatives with other healthcare organizations in Minnesota.
• Freedom to Breathe Act CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007MAPA was a sponsoring organization for the Freedom to Breathe Act, a statewide clean indoor air initiative in Minnesota.
• Tom Lehman (Former Lobbyist)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2005Tom Lehman served as MAPA's contracted lobbyist for approximately 20 years (2005–2025), providing daily presence at the Minnesota Capitol and advocacy support before his retirement. MAPA subsequently transitioned to Larkin Hoffman for lobbying services.
• The Harrington CompanyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2002MAPA contracted with The Harrington Company for administrative services (since 2002), providing professional back-office administrative support to the association.
• Minnesota Rural Health CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1990MAPA joined the Minnesota Rural Health Coalition in 1990, advocating for rural healthcare workforce issues including PA practice in rural settings.
• AAPA (American Academy of Physician Associates)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMAPA is a constituent chapter of the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA), the national professional organization for PAs. MAPA sends delegates to the AAPA House of Delegates, participates in the AAPA Leadership and Advocacy Summit, and its members benefit from national AAPA resources, policy positions, and CME approval processes.
• Minnesota Board of Medical Practice (BMP)coreOthersMAPA works closely with the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice, which licenses PAs in Minnesota. The BMP develops forms and guidelines for PA practice agreements and collaborative arrangements under Minnesota Statute 147A.
• PA Licensure Compact (Participating States)minorOthersMinnesota became the 11th state to enact the PA Licensure Compact in 2024, allowing licensed Minnesota PAs to practice in participating states without obtaining multiple individual licenses. MAPA advocated for and benefits from this compact.
• AAPA DEI Resource CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMAPA's DEI Committee partners with and references the AAPA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resource Center for programming guidance and best practices.
• National Society of Black PAs (NSBPA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNSBPA is listed as a partnering organization by MAPA's DEI Committee. NSBPA provides virtual mentoring programs and resources referenced by MAPA's DEI programming.
• PA FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPA Foundation is listed as a scholarship resource by MAPA's DEI Committee and scholarship pages, offering scholarships and fellowships to PA students.
• Exam Master CorporationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMAPA members receive discounts on Exam Master PA course preparation through a partnership offering exclusive member pricing.
• Master CliniciansminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMAPA members receive discounts on Master Clinicians online courses, bundles, and memberships through an exclusive partner arrangement.
• Blueprint PA (formerly Rosh Review)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMAPA members receive discounts on Blueprint PA's PANRE/PANRE-LA exam prep and Pre-PA packages through an exclusive member discount partnership.
• smartyPANCEminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMAPA members receive discounts on smartyPANCE's comprehensive PANCE review course following NCCPA and PAEA EOR content blueprint areas.
• StatPearlsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMAPA members receive discounts on StatPearls' library of over 34,000 accredited peer-reviewed CME activities through an exclusive partner arrangement.
• The PA BlueprintminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMAPA members receive discounts on The PA Blueprint's exam preparation and professional development resources through an exclusive partner arrangement.
• Create AmorminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMAPA members receive discounts on Create Amor's online scrub store through a partner discount program supporting MAPA members.
• HealthPartners (PA Fellowships)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMAPA's Career Center lists HealthPartners PA fellowships in Cardiology, Emergency Medicine, Hospital Medicine, Orthopedics, Primary Care, Psychiatry, Trauma/Acute Care Surgery, Urgent Care, and Neurology as career resources for MAPA members.
• Mayo Clinic (MN PA Fellowships)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMAPA's Career Center lists Mayo Clinic (MN) PA fellowships in Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, General Surgery, Hematology/Medical Oncology, Hospice and Palliative Medicine, and Urology as career resources for MAPA members.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP): National professional association for nurse practitioners with an analogous membership, CME conference, and legislative advocacy model. Adjacent rather than competing — AANP and MAPA/AAPA often align on scope-of-practice legislative priorities.
• American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA): National professional membership association for physician associates. AAPA is MAPA's parent chapter affiliation and the national counterpart providing CME accreditation, advocacy at the federal level, and member resources that MAPA extends locally.
• National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA): The national certifying body for PAs in the United States. Not a peer association but a closely adjacent organization whose certification requirements drive MAPA members' demand for CME and PANRE prep resources.

Direct peers

• Texas Academy of Physician Assistants (TAPA): AAPA constituent chapter representing PAs in Texas. Operates the same professional association structure — membership tiers, annual CME conference, legislative advocacy, and student scholarships — and competes with MAPA for the same AAPA recognition awards.
• New York State Society of Physician Assistants (NYSSPA): AAPA constituent chapter serving PAs in New York State. Mirrors MAPA's professional association structure including CME programming, advocacy, and student outreach, though operating in a much larger state with different regulatory dynamics.
• Illinois Academy of Physician Assistants (IAPA): AAPA constituent chapter representing Illinois PAs. Operates a similar mid-sized chapter model with CME conferences, advocacy, and student engagement — directly comparable to MAPA in scope and revenue model.
• Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants (PSPA): AAPA constituent chapter for Pennsylvania PAs offering comparable membership, CME, advocacy, and student programs. Functions as a close structural peer to MAPA in chapter size, governance, and programming.
• Florida Academy of Physician Assistants (FAPA): Florida's AAPA constituent chapter providing membership, CME, and legislative advocacy for PAs. Comparable in mission, governance, and revenue model to MAPA, with a similar mix of dues, conference, and sponsorship revenue.
• California Academy of Physician Associates (CAPA): State-level constituent chapter of AAPA representing California PAs. Operates the same membership, CME conference, legislative advocacy, and student engagement model as MAPA, but at significantly larger scale in a more populous state.

Others

• PA Foundation: The philanthropic arm of AAPA providing scholarships and charitable programs for PAs and PA students. MAPA references PA Foundation scholarships on its own student scholarship pages, making it an ecosystem peer rather than a competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubepodcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mapa-podcast/id1579544483
• Facebookfacebook.com/MNAcadPA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/minnesota-academy-of-physician-assistants-mapa
• Instagraminstagram.com/mnacadpa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Minnesota Academy of Physician Associates (MAPA)