Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1125304
MINNESOTA'S REPUTATION AS MEETING DESTINATION ON THE RISE BY BUCK SAMUELS If you haven't met in Minnesota recently, it's time to give them another look. Amid lots of new development, an abundance of outstanding meeting ven- ues and hotel options, and a wide choice of cultural, recreational and entertainment offerings, the North Star State has some- thing to meet all of your conference needs. • • MINNEAPOLIS • • It's time for a meeting experience unlike any other. Minneapolis is a city that offers something for everyone. It is a place where critically acclaimed shows, restaurants and museums mesh with the natural beauty of lakes, trails and parks. Whether you are planning a board meeting for 30, a shareholder meeting for 2,500 or a party for 10,000, the Minneapolis Convention Center is equipped with the amenities and services to ensure your event is successful. With 1.6 million sq. ft. of space including a 3,400 fixed seat auditorium, 475,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space and the 87 meeting rooms, and a 55,000-sq. ft. ballroom, the facility can easily meet of your groups needs. Meet Minn- eapolis President & CEO Melvin Tennant and his team stand ready to assist you in making your con- ference or other event in the city a memorable one. The Minnea- polis Queen is a perfect way to experi- ence the history of beautiful downtown Minneapolis. The Minneapolis Queen also makes the perfect venue for private events such as weddings, meetings, pri- vate parties and group tours. The 125- passenger Minneapolis Queen offers public tours and private charters on the Mississippi River cruising through historic Downtown Minneapolis. M i n n e a p o l i s has over 9,000 rooms downtown of varying price points and types, may of them within a half a mile of the M i n n e a p o l i s C o n v e n t i o n Center. The city prides its down- town on being compact, where every- thing is walkable and you never really feel like you're too far away from any one thing. Even if one hotel can't hold your whole delegation, it's guaranteed that your attendees won't be more than a quick walk away from headquarters. Conference attendees have the option to explore the city's fine arts when not in a boardroom. Take in a show at the Guthrie Theater, one of the city's Tony Award-winning theaters. Discover new worlds at the Science Museum of Minnesota. Thrill to the arias of Rossini at the Minnesota Opera. Or visit the Walker Art Center, hailed by Newsweek as "possibly the best contemporary art museum in the country." Minneapolis is your ticket to groundbreaking art, architecture and performing arts. Compared to other metro areas, only one other U.S. city serves more nonstop markets per capita than the Minneapolis- St Paul International Airport. The recent arrival of Southwest Airlines offers greater affordability, and MSP's central location offers a speedy trip (15 – 30 min- utes) to the city. • • SAINT PAUL • • Saint Paul's convention complex includes Saint PaulRiverCentre, with more than 250,000 sq. ft.t of versatile event space, and the Legendary 44,800-sq.ft. Roy Wilkins Auditorium. Situated in the heart of downtown, this state-of-the-art complex is the premier choice of meeting planners for major conventions, trade shows, meetings and special events. Saint Paul River- Centre is connected to downtown: hotels, restaurants, shops, museums, and theatres by an indoor skyway sys- tem, allowing event attendees to enjoy the beauty of the city in year-round in cli- mate-controlled comfort. Nearby, the West 7th, Lowertown and Grand Avenue entertainment districts await with a variety of dining, shopp-ing and entertainment options. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Visit St. Paul – (800) 627-6101 www.visitsaintpaul.com B M & T ••• March/April 2019 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 44 AREA GUIDES • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Hyatt Regency Minneapolis 645 Courtyard Minneapolis Downtown 265 Best Western Plus Normandy Inn & Suites 199 Millennium Minneapolis 321 Embassy Suites by Hilton 290 Hilton Minneapolis 821 EXHIBITION FACILITIES The Minneapolis Convention Centre Total Exhibit Space 475,000 sq. ft. Meeting Rooms 87 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Meet Minneapolis (888) 676-MPLS www.minneapolis.org Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce – (651)224-4320 M I N N E S O TA Minneapolis Convention Center Photo Credit:Minneapolis C.C.