Representatives from throughout the country will attend a conference for graduate and professional students at the University of Minnesota. The conference began with workshops for effective lobbying strategies Wednesday afternoon, and will continue Sunday. The National Association of Graduate-Professional Students and the UniversityâÄôs Graduate and Professional Student Assembly are hosting the conference. âÄúIt enhances the quality of leadership we have within our student organization,” GAPSA President Kristi Kremers said. âÄúItâÄôs a unique opportunity for the students who are involved to learn more skills in putting on a conference.âÄù NAGPS President Tonia Compton said the conference helps build relationships for graduate student leaders on a national scale. Kremers said the conference is important because âÄúGraduate and Professional Students across the country need to understand whatâÄôs going on at other institutions and how they can improve the resources that they provide.âÄù The conference continues Wednesday night with a reception and this weekend with workshops, meetings and speakers along with an election of board members and an awards dinner.