BUILDING TOWARD A BETTER TOMORROW Minneapolis Convention Center maintains and strengthens relationships with its staff and clients during the pandemic By Katie Smith
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employees with opportunities to use their skills in other areas t the Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC), we’re in the of city government. This initiative resulted in approximately 15 business of building relationships. We’re about connecting one person with another. One local business with a meeting percent of staff working outside of our walls. planner. One staff member with a visitor. Consider employee safety first Navigating this crisis has acutely highlighted that we crave As we look to reopen, we have established a set of new personal connections. We thrive on the energy of meeting procedures that consider the well-being of our employees. and collaborating. And although the COVID-19 pandemic While much has been said and has put much of the meetings written about the health and and events industry on hold, we safety guidelines that event continue to work on our goal of We will work with the attendees will adhere to as connecting people. client to help execute people begin to meet again, we Specifically, we have their plans, knowing that first must ensure that our staff’s focused on strengthening our both parties must be physical and mental health relationships with two distinct flexible because both the is of utmost priority. To put it groups: our staff and our clients. virus’s behavior and the frankly, you can’t begin to think Following are a handful of ways about holding an event if your we are working to maintain government’s guidance staff isn’t safe, engaged and these connections. may change over time comfortable. For the MCC, that means that STAFF our team members will be returning in phases over several Communicate regularly and provide resources weeks. We will provide face masks for every employee to wear Communication is key. Frequent messages, including several when working around others. All offices will be set up with videos from Executive Director Jeff Johnson, have been sent social distancing in mind, and staff may work in adjusted shifts to employees, keeping them updated on local coronavirus to minimize non-essential contact with others. developments, as well as plans outlining our way forward. Essential is leading these conversations with a message of care and concern. CLIENTS It’s important to recognize that this crisis has affected Communicate often people in very different ways. For some of our employees, As with our staff, regular communication with our clients is the change in work status has been quite difficult. One of the essential. Our first priority with meeting and event planners is things we’ve done to show our support is reach out to staff with to express an understanding of the challenges they are facing. links to our Employee Assistance Plan, which helps with mental We willingly provide a sympathetic ear to listen — all while and physical health needs. working with them to address their needs and reschedule events when necessary and possible. In return, we’ve been Keep them engaged upfront in asking for patience as every week of the pandemic While our building remained mostly empty during the height brings new developments that force us to continually adjust. of Minnesota’s stay-at-home order, it was imperative to keep as With our industry so severely impacted by this crisis, we need many of our employees engaged as possible — especially staff to ensure that our clients understand that we’ll navigate these members with roles that do not allow them to work from home. uncharted waters together. First, we ramped up several capital improvement projects, putting the time without visitors to a productive use. Next, as Collaborate on plans to keep attendees safe our venue is owned by the City of Minneapolis, we worked Under the guidance of health experts, the MCC is slowly closely with other city departments to connect a number of our Continued on inside back cover FACILITIES & DESTINATIONS 2020 SUPERBOOK
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