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MINNESOTA, A STATE PROVING TO BE A PREMIER DESTINATION FOR YOUR NEXT GROUP MEETING BY SOLOMON J. HERBERT II From wheelchair-accessible trails to sensory-friendly theatrical productions and ASL museum interpreters, Minn- esota destinations embrace accessibility for all. The state is made up of the North- west, Northeast, Central and Southern regions, each with their own vibe pro- viding meeting space and venues unique to your clients' preferences and needs. • • MINNEAPOLIS • • Minneapolis is the perfect destina- tion for your meeting. The city is easy to get to, easy to explore, and is home to world-class hotels and excit- ing attractions for convention atten- dees and their families! The Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC) is prepared and excited to wel- come guests back to the largest con- vention center in the Upper Midwest. The venue is equipped 1.6 million square feet of space including a 3,400 fixed-seat auditorium, 475,000 square feet of exhibit space, 87 meeting rooms, a 28,000-square-foot ballroom and a 55,000-square-foot ballroom. The city is full of unique off site venues well prepared to host gather- ings of all sizes. Historical landmarks, churches, and museums can teach us how Minneapolis became the city it is today and allow us to reflect on the origins of the city's Black community. Associated with the Shingle Creek African American Community, The Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church early con- gregation consisted of former slaves and the children of former slaves who moved away from the South to seek better lives. This community achieved higher rates of homeownership and literacy than nearby European settlers during a period of harsh racial dis- crimination and segregation. Fort Snelling is a military fort that is the origin of a wide history of stories, including those of Native peoples, trade, soldiers and veterans, enslaved people, immigrants, and the changing landscape. As many as 40 slaves lived in this Minnesota fort at any given time, including Dred Scott and his wife Harriett, who famously sued for their freedom after being brought by their owner to live in free territories in the north where slavery was illegal. Be sure to con- tact Meet Minn- eapolis President- /CEO Melvin Tennant or one of his team members if you a re contemplating taking your meeting or convention to Minnea-polis. They will provide you all of the support you need to make your event a success. • • ST. PAUL • • Connect with your conference attendees on a more personal level in Saint Paul. This destination combines urban amenities with historic charm, creating the ideal place for your next meeting. Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, Minnesota's Capital City is a short 8-mile drive from the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport and fea- tures stunning venues, full service hotels and a fully sustainable conven- tion center. The Saint Paul RiverCentre is one of Saint Paul's stunning convention, spe- cial event and entertainment venues. With more than 250,000 square feet of versatile event space, Saint Paul RiverCentre offers the perfect blend of easily configurable space, lumi- nous, airy design and outstanding customer service. With five indoor and two outdoor spaces, Union Depot provides the perfect setting for public events, pri- vate functions, arts and cultural fes- tivals, concerts and more. There's simply nothing else like it in the Twin Cities. Magnificent and beautifully restored to its original elegance, the Waiting Room has brought people together for generations. It is ideal for a wide range of public and private events. With such a rich and storied histo- ry, it should come to no surprise Saint Paul's museum lineup packs some heavy hitters. Explore a variety of exhibits at the Science Museum of Minnesota, Minnesota Children's Museum, Minnesota History Center, Hmong Cultural Center, Bell Museum and more WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Visit Saint Paul – (800) 627-6101 www.visitsaintpaul.com 66 B M & T ••• March/April 2024 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com AREA GUIDES M I N N E S O TA • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Embassy Suites by Hilton Minneapolis Downtown 290 Tru by Hilton Minneapolis Downtown 99 Home 2 Suites by Hilton Minneapolis Downtown 203 Hyatt Regency Minneapolis 645 EXHIBITION FACILITIES Minneapolis Convention Center Total Space 475,200 sq. ft. Largest Hall 100,000 sq. ft. Largest Ballroom 55,000 sq. ft. Meeting Rooms 87 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Meet Minneapolis – (888) 676-MPLS www.www.minneapolis.org Minnesota Convention Center photo credit: Minnesota CC