Minnesota Meetings + Events Fall 2023

Embracing Quirkiness

» IN MID-JULY, Greenspring Media’s Minnesota Monthly held the Fine Spirits Classic at Machine Shop in Minneapolis’ St. Anthony Main neighborhood. Most Greenspring staffers worked the event, including me. I served in the role of “Area Captain,” which had me running to fetch or address anything the upstairs vendors needed. During the evening, I logged 8,326 steps (according to the Health app on my iPhone) delivering trash bags, refilling water pitchers, and closing the window blinds so the ice sculpture wouldn’t melt, among other things.

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Machine Shop is just one venue showcased in this issue’s regional feature, “Meetings on Main.” The feature looks at delightful Main Street event locations across Minnesota, with historical character, quirkiness, and local charm in spades. Located in the former machinery shop of the Pillsbury A-Mill, Machine Shop sits in Minneapolis’ “Main Street,” St. Anthony Main—a neighborhood that developed in the 1850s. The venue features two stories of expansive rooms, exposed brick walls, iron beams, heavy equipment from yesteryear, and distinctive lighting.

Plus, the feature travels beyond the Twin Cities to such quaint gems as Stillwater, home of the Hotel Crosby; Red Wing and its historic St. James Hotel and Round Barn Farm; Duluth’s Canal Park neighborhood, with multiple hotels, restaurants, and lighthouses to intrigue attendees; and southeastern Minnesota’s Lanesboro, a creative community with a plethora of artists and galleries. Minnesota’s Main Streets run the gamut from historic with handy access to the big city to smaller, sometimes cobblestoned locales at the heart of communities.

I have lived in the Twin Cities for more than 19 years of my life, and over those years, I have taken more than one date (not at the same time) to St. Paul’s W.A. Frost and Co. in the Cathedral Hill neighborhood, worked with publishing colleagues in what was once the Connelly Shoe Factory in downtown Stillwater and is today the JX Event Venue, and attended several group lunches at Grandma’s Saloon & Grill in Duluth’s Canal Park. Main Streets statewide exhibit loads of character, distinctive event venues, and delectable dining, and you might well be hard-pressed to find more memorable places to host your event.

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PHOTO Darin Kamnetz

LAYLINE DEBUTS IN EXCELSIOR

» RESTAURANTEUR AND CHEF

Daniel del Prado, proprietor of several Twin Cities-area eateries, partnered with Innerbloom Hospitality this summer to establish his newest endeavor, Layline, in Excelsior. Not far from the shores of Lake Minnetonka, the American-style restaurant sits in the renovated Gary’s First Class Car Care, now featuring contemporary and eclectic decor, an outdoor patio with views overlooking the heart of Excelsior, and a full bar. A more intimate space, Layline can accommodate up to 70 guests for private indoor events. The location boasts two dining spaces and a fourseason enclosed porch.

“Layline’s atmosphere is truly inviting with its eclectic and intimate settings,” says Kelly Sims, director of marketing and business development for Innerbloom Hospitality. “The attention to detail in elements like beautiful and colorful wall coverings, Cambria countertops, and finishing touches is bound to create a visually pleasing environment for guests to enjoy. Layline’s elevated American Kitchen menu encompasses a variety of American dishes. This appeals to a wide range of tastes and preferences, and adding a touch of seafood to the menu provides an extra layer of choice for those who enjoy seafood dishes.”

–Madeline Fuerstenberg laylinerestaurant.com

A Tail-Waggin’ Good Time

Enhance any gathering and delight your attendees with some furry guests of honor at your next event—puppies. Suitable for corporate events, galas, fundraisers, and more, puppy parties hosted by organizations like Secondhand Hounds in Minnetonka are sure to set your event aside from the rest.

Whether it’s a gathering of 10 or 2,000, puppy parties function as a great reward, pick-me-up, and way to give back to the community, says Secondhand Hounds’ Puppy Party Coordinator Donni Torres. For a fee starting at $500, Secondhand Hounds will bring at least three puppies to your event. Attendees will learn about the rescue and adoption process, all while holding and playing with 6-week to 1-year-old pups. The rescue also offers virtual puppy parties at a reduced price.

“Puppies make everyone smile,” explains Torres. “While the parties are entertaining, they also serve as a vehicle to introduce people to animal rescue. Many attendees become volunteers or donors and realize that rescue is a better adoption than buying a dog from a breeder.”

Holly Williams, conference management director for the Advanced Textiles Association (ATA) in Roseville says ATA started hosting a Pet-A-Puppy booth at its annual expo in 2019. Williams says the booth always gets positive reactions from attendees. “It gives them a chance to relax on the busy trade show floor and creates so much excitement and good energy,” she explains. “The puppy booth has been a huge success each year and has made so many people happy. It’s a win-win. Attendees get a serotonin boost, and we get to support some great rescues and help dogs and other animals find homes.”

The puppies involved—usually from surrendered litters or out-of-state strays—also benefit through healthy socialization with people. For the safety and well-being of the puppies, the rescue does not host parties beyond 30 miles of its office. –Madeline

secondhandhounds.org

Fuerstenberg

PHOTOS (FROM LEFT) Layline, Secondhand Hounds, Wiki Commons/mjdemay

Secondhand Hounds rescue pup

An Autumnal Wonderland

You can’t beat a classic Midwestern autumn. The leaves transform to vibrant reds and oranges, the air is crisp with the promise of cooler days and longer nights, and already-spectacular views are only enhanced by the changing season. Take advantage of this time by wowing your group with an outdoor excursion that will leave them stunned by Minnesota’s natural fall beauty.

For groups of up to 250, enjoy a day on the St. Croix River with Taylors Falls Scenic Boat Tours. The tours on the Taylors Falls Princess or Taylors Falls Queen are suitable for corporate gatherings, employee appreciation celebrations, and more. On board, luxury meets the Minnesota wilderness as attendees take in scenic views, relax on deck, and enjoy catering options.

To take your next fall gathering to new heights, consider treating your attendees to a hot air balloon ride with Stillwater

Balloons, based in Lakeland Shores. Up to 16 of your eventgoers at a time will be able to float over the surrounding St. Croix Valley with this fun, educational, and breathtaking experience they won’t soon forget.

Back on solid ground, planners might consider a charter with the North Shore Scenic Railroad (NSSR) for their meeting or event of up to 180 people. Rides range in length from 75 minutes to more than four hours and take passengers on a 26-mile stretch of track along Lake Superior’s North Shore, from The Depot in Duluth to Two Harbors and back.

–Madeline Fuerstenberg

duluthtrains.com stillwaterballoons.com

taylorsfallsboat.com

The Taylors Falls Queen docked in Taylors Falls

North of Normal in Fargo-Moorhead

The three-city destination has meeting opportunities aplenty for groups

BY DANIELLE LETENYEI

IFyou’re looking for someplace different to hold your meeting or event, consider Fargo-Moorhead, an area along the border where Minnesota meets North Dakota. The Fargo-Moorhead region prides itself on being beyond what you normally find in other locales. “Fargo is a place that transcends typical. It’s off the beaten path and a little quirky. We like to call it ‘north of normal,’” says Mallari Ackerman, director of sales for the FargoMoorhead Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The Fargo-Moorhead area contains three main cities in two states—Fargo and West Fargo in North Dakota and Moorhead in Minnesota, with the Red River dividing them.

VIBE: Fargo-Moorhead has a younger vibe, partly due to the number of colleges in the area. “Fargo-Moorhead is one of the coolest cities in the Midwest that no one knows about,” says Dannielle Melquist, director of marketing for the Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors Bureau. “From unique events to James Beard [Award]-nominated restaurants and chefs, the vibe is completely unexpected for a Midwest city of its size.”

TRANSPORTATION: Hector International Airport is located just 10 minutes from downtown Fargo. Five major airlines fly into the airport—Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, and United—and the

airport offers flights from 12 locations throughout the U.S. If you’re driving from Minneapolis-St. Paul; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; or Winnipeg, Manitoba, FargoMoorhead is just a 3.5-hour drive away.

HOTELS: There are 5,600 hotel rooms in the Fargo-Moorhead area. The Holiday Inn Fargo is the area’s largest hotel with 310 rooms and 27,000 square feet of event space near the West Acres Mall. Delta Hotels by Marriott, also near the mall, has 185 rooms and 23,000 square feet of event space. If you and your attendees prefer to be in downtown Fargo, the Radisson Blu Fargo and Jasper Hotel both offer over 100 hotel rooms and meeting space.

PHOTOS (FROM ABOVE) Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors Bureau, Maria Ponomaryova

Snow-ga at Viking Ship Park in Moorhead

RESTAURANTS: Fargo-Moorhead has more than 450 restaurants and bars where you can grab a cocktail or bite to eat. If you want true Fargo fare, visit Rosewild in the Jasper Hotel for farm-to-table favorites or Prairie Kitchen for traditional Nordic dishes. Sol Ave. Kitchen in Moorhead is a bright, happy place offering globally inspired street food with a Midwest twist.

Fargo-Moorhead also has its share of local breweries. The Fargo Brewing Co. was the first brewery in the area. Other breweries include Drekker Brewing Co. and Pixeled Brewing Co. in Fargo, Junkyard Brewing Co. and Swing Barrel Brewing in Moorhead, and Iceland Brewing Co. located right outside of West Fargo in Mapleton.

MUST-SEES AND -DOS: The FargoMoorhead area is proud of its Norwegian heritage, and you can learn all about the area’s history at the Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead—it even has a full-size replica Viking ship. Fans of the Coen brothers’ film “Fargo” can get a picture with the woodchipper used in the movie’s infamous murder scene. The woodchipper is located inside the Fargo-Moorhead Visitors Center.

fargomoorhead.org

Right now, we’re issuing one-time grants for meetings, conventions and sporting events. There’s never been a

Downtown Fargo mural

Small Meetings Offer Big Potential

BY KATE ANASTASI

» AS WORK SPACES and schedules have changed over the past three-plus years, so has something else: the demand for small meetings. Whether a company gave up or downsized office space and now needs a spot to hold a gathering, or a board of directors is looking for a meeting location, the demand for efficient and enjoyable small meetings is high. Even with small meetings, there’s always potential—and each client, no matter the size, deserves top-notch service and creativity.

Many smaller meetings are on a shortterm booking schedule, often from only six to eight weeks or less, which means planners are looking for an easy one-stop shop.

Make sure to offer options for everything planners might need—even if you don’t have it all—such as hotel accommodations, dinner, and entertainment, in addition to the meeting space. Partner with your local convention and visitors bureau or chamber of commerce for ideas and options to connect with other businesses so you can present a small meeting schedule that does it all and include as many details as possible up front to limit back-and-forth—time is of the essence.

Do not leave your creativity by the wayside just because the meeting might have fewer people—make the event feel special no matter the number of attendees.

What could this look like? At Radisson Blu Mall of America in Bloomington, our team loves thinking outside the box and has created unique offerings including intentionally integrating all five senses into events—no matter how small—such as serving French press coffee in-room to bring a fragrant aroma to an afternoon pick-me-up or playing themed music to set the tone. Consider incorporating trends, including unique breaks with color themes, nostalgia, food and beverage pairings, and more. At Radisson Blu Mall of America, we have worked to perfect the uninterrupted meeting with our “Bistro Blu” offering that allows guests to select their courses from a restaurant menu at the start of the meeting and having the staff serve the meals on individual trays, allowing attendees to maximize time together while still enjoying a premium multicourse meal.

We all know relationships matter, but in the case of smaller meetings, they can be even more vital to your present and future. Build that relationship from the very first point of contact and become a trusted resource for their first call when they need something down the road. And don’t forget to pick up the phone and connect when the event ends. Even if you just leave a voicemail, this often-forgotten touchpoint adds a personal touch that can go a long way toward boosting a solid connection. The frequency of smaller meetings is increasing, with more and more opportunities on the horizon. By putting the same amount of attention and service into small meetings as you would a larger event, you are setting yourself up for success now and in the future. Provide valuable knowledge and ideas to create seamless, exciting events, and think big with long-term potential.

Kate Anastasi is the director of sales and marketing at Radisson Blu Mall of America in Bloomington.

Semiprivate dining room at FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar at Radisson Blu Mall of America

Get Jazzed About Catering

These Minnesota caterers do more than feed your guests—they leave delicious lasting impressions

BY LAUREN PAHMEIER

» FOOD CAN TRULY MAKE OR BREAK EVENTS. A boring menu or series of uninspiring dishes can leave attendees disappointed and still hungry—while the best-case scenarios render them full and talking nonstop about the flavors, creativity, and quality of the foods they enjoyed long after the plates have been cleared.

Some of the best caterers even take it a step further by not only making delicious, impressionable dishes every time, but also crafting memorable experiences to go along with the food—therefore, providing much more than a simple solution for grumbling stomachs at meetings and events.

“That’s what we’re always looking to do: give people a memory,” says Christie Altendorf, senior event planner and director of marketing at D’Amico Catering in Minneapolis.

When working with planners, D’Amico and many other caterers across the state consider how to create memories and experiences for guests at any type of gathering. Whether it’s developing personalized menus or planning eye-catching chef performance stations, Minnesota Meetings + Events highlights how several Minnesota caterers go above and beyond to produce enchanting edible experiences for their clients.

MOVING MORSELS

Although the tried-and-true method of passing hors d’oeuvres during cocktail hour is a great way to hold over meeting-goers until dinner, this typically only allows for a brief exchange between the server and each attendee as bites are plucked from the tray. But with four wheels and a little extra effort, D’Amico Catering leveled up such interactions at an event it catered last year. Instead, one of the chefs wheeled a mahogany cart offering bites of prosciutto, ricotta, and honey and then prompted attendees to choose between freshly shaved white or black truffles for the garnish. Before the event-goers would decide, the chef spoke about the differences between the truffles, how D’Amico sourced them, and more. The appropriately named Truffle Trolley allowed guests to pause, take a moment to learn, and personalize their appetizer before the chef rolled away. Plus, the roving cart provided some extra movement at the event. “The fact that it was mobile in approaching guests was also a really fun way to create a little bit of action and energy in the space,” says Altendorf.

D’Amico is not the only caterer with food on wheels—in fact, MidCoast Catering in Duluth got its start on them. The company

Appetizers by Duluth’s Black Woods Group Catering

opened for business in 2012 with just a food truck, called The Rambler. Five years later, the company opened MidCoast, a full-service catering company, to serve small and large gatherings. However, The Rambler is still quite popular for groups of 50-plus people at corporate and nonprofit events May through October. Hosting food trucks like The Rambler at meetings and events provides meeting-goers not only with great food but also a more casual feeling—especially when they are accustomed to boxed lunches and buffets.

TASTINGS, STATIONS & DEMONSTRATIONS

Wheels aren’t the only way to take catering gigs from good to great. Chef performance stations are another way to engage guests at many types of gatherings, whether they’re a predetermined offering from the caterer or created in collaboration with the planner.

Also in Duluth, Black Woods Group Catering has more than a dozen stations on its menus alone to choose from—although that doesn’t stop it from providing custom options for its clients. Recently, Black Woods hosted an oyster bar at an event where event-goers could choose the different sauces they would like with their oysters. The group also displayed an ice sculpture to draw even more attention to the spread.

Back in the Twin Cities, caterers like Northeast Minneapolis-based Chowgirls also do performance stations, whether it’s a classic option like meat carving or something more unconventional. The company branches into tastings, demonstrations, and classes, spanning from a charcuterie board-making class to a paella party, the latter where guests enjoy appetizers and cocktails while watching the paella being prepared in front of them. Another playful option is Chowgirls’ beer and cheese tasting, run by Hospitality and Sales Director Meghan Larsen, who is also a certified cicerone—the equivalent to a wine sommelier in the beer world.

“It’s a super fun, interactive experience for people, because beer generally has not been thought of as an upscale, curated experience that you can have,” says Larsen. The beer and cheese tasting can be booked for groups of any size, though the sweet spot is 25 to 75 people. She will even guide planners on what beers and cheeses to purchase if they want to do a tasting on their own.

TAILOR-MADE MENUS

Creating custom menus with planners based on specific themes or seasonal ingredients is another way to showcase extra attention to detail—but when they’re executed correctly, they can also be a great way to enlighten attendees. In Rochester, Pinnacle Catering created a custom menu that showcases everything Minnesota has to offer, which is particularly attractive to attendees at corporate events that come to Minnesota from all over the world. Pinnacle sourced ingredients primarily from Minnesota and prepared signature recipes such as tater tot hot dish and walleye, while also serving local products like pork from Hormel in Austin and oven-baked beans from Captain Ken’s Beans in St. Paul.

“It’s a great way for people from all over the world to get to know Minnesota’s iconic dishes and experience the quality that we can produce them at,” says Joe

Powers, CEO of Powers Ventures, the company that owns Pinnacle Catering. “There’s a lot of what we have up here that we take for granted that most people in the U.S. don’t see.”

MINNESOTA’S CREATIVE CATERERS

Minnesota is lucky to have caterers like these that strive to provide imaginative and custom experiences, knowing why they can make all the difference.

“It goes back to creating a space where your guests are super present in the moment, and therefore creating events that are really memorable,” says Larsen. “When you bring in food that is unique and that lights up everybody’s senses … you all of a sudden are allowing people to forget about their to-do lists.”

These examples only scratch the surface of what these caterers—and others—can do. With just a simple request, inspiration picture, or brainstorming session, Minnesota’s caterers can help planners create experiences that leave lasting impressions on attendees.

bwgcatering.com

chowgirls.net

damicocatering.com

midcoastcatering.com

pinnaclecateringmn.com

Chowgirls’ paella party

Cheer-Worthy Venues

Knock your event out of the park at these standout stadiums and arenas

BY DANIELLE LETENYEI

» SPORTS STADIUMS PROVIDE

an unconventional option for holding meetings and events that attendees will enjoy regardless of whether they’re big sports fans or not. Minnesota has several sports facilities that rent out their spaces for corporate events, so planners can get creative with their choices.

U.S. Bank Stadium is home to the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings, and the venue also offers 1.75 million square feet of flexible space that can be used in various configurations for small to extra-large events. “We host every type of event, from networking events to large trade shows and conventions in our many spaces,” says

Ann Dunne, assistant general manager for ASM Global at U.S. Bank Stadium. ASM Global is the stadium’s venue management company. “Our team works closely with the client to provide the ideal experience for the event in mind. The possibilities here are truly endless.”

In addition to a 100,000-square-foot stadium floor, the largest space at U.S. Bank Stadium is the Polaris Club, which has 20,000 square feet and can hold up to 1,000. It features an open floor plan with three bars and views of the field and Minneapolis’ Mill District. The Medtronic Club is a more cozy, sophisticated space with two fireplaces and beautiful furnishings.

The stadium’s Delta Sky360 Club is a 16,500-square-foot space just steps away from the stadium field that can accommodate up to 600. Your event-goers can take in amazing views of the downtown Minneapolis skyline from Mystic Lake’s Club Purple, a 10,500-squarefoot space that also overlooks the football field. It includes an outdoor deck with a fire pit. Other meeting spaces are the 11,600-square-foot FMP Club, 10,500-square-foot Little Six Casino’s Club Gold, 4,100-square-foot Truss Bar, and 1,700-square-foot Lumen Lodge Bar.

Target Field, the home of MLB’s Minnesota Twins, offers a memorable location

U.S. Bank Stadium has 1.75 million square feet of meeting space.

for corporate meetings and events. It has 15,000 square feet of meeting space with a total standing capacity of 2,700. Its Delta Sky360 Club is ideally suited for trade shows or large-scale conventions with accessible electricity and ethernet capabilities. The Carew Atrium in the Delta Sky360 Club is the most significant space available, with a standing capacity of 1,200 and a seating capacity of 300 to 500. Corporate meetings can be held in the Skyline Suites, Truly on Deck, or Thomson Reuters Champions Club. Target Field also has the Budweiser Roof Deck, Townball Tavern, and Gate 34 Experience for smaller, more intimate receptions and celebrations.

Target Center in downtown Minneapolis is home to the Minnesota Timberwolves NBA team and the Minnesota Lynx WNBA team. The 831,533-square-foot arena occupies more than a block. Originally built in 1990, Target Center underwent a $145 million renovation that was completed in 2017.

Target Center offers 160,000 square feet of meeting space with a standing capacity of nearly 5,000. The meeting spaces include six renovated restaurant and bar spaces with options for breakout rooms, arena floor access, and backstage tours. The Arena Floor is the perfect spot for larger events with a standing capacity of 2,000. The Lexus Courtside Club, Club TI, Six One Two, and Cargo all provide TV screens, a full bar, and catering for 150 to 400 guests. The Grant Thorntown Chairman’s Club is a smaller space for more intimate gatherings or breakout sessions. The center’s most unique meeting space is its Atrium, which features stunning views of downtown Minneapolis and a distinctive hanging basketball sculpture.

Over in St. Paul, Allianz Field is more than just the home of MLS team Minnesota United FC. It also has space to accommodate meetings and events of all sizes. The field has hosted everything from

From above: Target Center was extensively renovated in 2017; A golfer tees off at Target Field; The Allianz Field Stadium Club accomodates up to 400.

corporate meetings, seminars, and trade shows to fundraisers, holiday parties, receptions, and more. The Stadium Club offers the largest indoor space featuring 11,800 square feet that can accommodate up to 400 attendees, and it is perfect for conventions, trade shows, and banquets. It has two bars, 13 TVs, a 6-by-25-foot video wall, and audiovisual capabilities. The Brew Hall is a 4,100-square-foot space with garage windows that open up to the field if you want a more open-air gathering and a 60-foot bar with 96 taps. Above the Brew Hall is a 3,700-square-foot deck offering an elevated field view. Other meeting spaces include the BMW Field Club, the Upper 90 Club, and the Owner’s Suite. The Great Lawn outside Allianz Field provides 52,000 square feet of space that can be used for outdoor events like concerts, markets, festivals, runs, or clinics. For catering, Allianz Field works exclusively with Delaware North Sportservice, a globally recognized hospitality company.

“The staff at Allianz Field is tremendous,” says Tom Elmer with Convergint, a digital security firm based in Blaine. “The Allianz team helped us facilitate well over

100 registered attendees, 30 of our technology partners, and approximately 50 of our own employees. Our November [2022] symposium went off like we had done several of these events in the past, making the decision easy to return to Allianz Field for our 2023 event this September.”

Consider CHS Field in St. Paul’s historic Lowertown neighborhood for smaller events. CHS Field is home to the St. Paul Saints minor league baseball team, and it also hosts numerous baseball games for Minnesota high schools, Hamline University, the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, and American Legion teams, as well as more than 100 nonbaseball events each year. Corporate meetings can be held at CHS Field’s Securian Financial Club, which provides 4,000 square feet of indoor space and an outdoor deck. The club can host up to 200 people seated or 250 standing. The area has a built-in bar, and Professional Sports Catering provides all food and beverages. Rental of the Securian Financial Club includes microphones and house sound system, nine 65-inch flat screen TV monitors, and setup and cleanup for your event.

If you’re looking to take your next meeting or event outside of the Twin Cities, consider heading north to Duluth. The Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) has 250,000 square feet of meeting space available, including the 19,600-square-foot Amsoil Arena. Opened in 2010, the arena is home to the University of Minnesota Duluth men’s and women’s hockey teams and many events. The DECC also has other meeting

The Securian Financial Club overlooks the baseball diamond at CHS Field;

Below: Duluth’s Amsoil Arena anchors the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center.

spaces available besides the Amsoil Arena, including the 23,976-square-foot DECC Arena, 60,000-square-foot City Side Convention Center, 48,256-squarefoot Pioneer Hall, 12,000-square-foot Harbor Side Ballroom, and 7,956-squarefoot Paulucci Hall. The in-house kitchen and executive chef exclusively handle catering for events held at the DECC.

The best thing DECC meeting spaces have to offer is a location on the shore of Lake Superior, says Lucie Amundsen, director of communications for DECC. “Staring at 10% of the world’s fresh water to the end of the horizon does not happen just anywhere,” she says. “It calms, inspires, and gives our events stunning floor-to-ceiling views. Lake Superior and the culture it brings to our region truly make events at the DECC memorable.”

decc.org

mlb.com/twins/ballpark mnufc.com/stadium targetcenter.com usbankstadium.com

Allianz Field serves decadent dinner and drinks.

PHOTO Unsplash/Weston

Minneapolis’ St. Anthony Main neighborhood has cobblestone streets and buildings dating to the 1850s.

CHARMING MINNESOTA MAIN STREETS CREATE MEMORABLE EVENT HOST CITIES

ON

BY JULIE KENDRICK

No matter how much we love big cities, very few of us can resist the charms of a stroll down a picturesque Main Street, whether it’s the centerpiece of a small town or a hidden gem within a more populous metropolitan area. Main Street is as much a vibe as it is a location because it’s the place we all come together to socialize, relax, and appreciate the joys of keeping things local. Luckily, Minnesota is blessed with Main Streets of all varieties—from locations with a historic perspective and tree-lined spots close to nature to up-and-coming small-town centers with a plethora of modern amenities.

For meeting and event planners, using a Main Street as a central event backdrop can be a great way to mix up the business-as-usual routine. In the heart of town, these areas are often close to groupfriendly hotels, and most offer dining and recreation activities that can accommodate larger numbers of participants.

There’s a perfect Main Street for just about every type of meeting or event, whether you’re looking for handy access to the big city or to have a group that would enjoy smaller, quirkier venues. Consider the vibe of your next meeting and start planning your own Main Street experience with this handy guide.

A BRIDGE TO HISTORY

Cobblestones? Check. Buildings that are 150 years old—or older? Check. Access to the only arched bridge made of stone on the entire Mississippi River? As we say in Minnesota, you betcha.

“St. Anthony Main combines the best of an urban environment with some perks of the suburbs,” says Gretchen Culver, owner and creative director of Minneapolis’ Rocket Science Events. “There are indoor and outdoor spaces of varying sizes, making it perfect for a variety of events. It’s also a great foodie destination, with many excellent restaurants such as Alma, Sidebar at Surdyk’s, and Jefe Urban Cocina. And, best of all, it’s all just a short ride over [the] picturesque [Stone Arch Bridge] to hotels, stadiums, and other downtown amenities.”

While this area was first developed in the 1850s, it has a surprising abundance of a 21st-century necessity—parking. “It’s plentiful and relatively inexpensive to park there, and that’s one of its biggest draws for clients who want to make this critical piece easy for their guests,” Culver says.

Two good options for event space, planners told us, are Aster Cafe and Machine Shop. “I have worked numerous times with

both for events,” says Rachelle Mazumdar of Style-Architects Weddings & Events in Minneapolis. “Aster Cafe is small and intimate, with great views of the Minneapolis skyline. Machine Shop’s historic vibe and flexible space make it ideal for any size group. These two are definitely worth checking out.” You might also consider the historic Nicollet Island Inn, which offers space for up to 200 attendees, along with breathtaking year-round views of the Mississippi River. Owner Larry Abdo says, “All our food is prepared by the same executive chef and culinary team [for events], so your participants will be served the same excellent food as our dining room guests enjoy.”

OLD - WORLD ELEGANCE

The Cathedral Hill neighborhood in St. Paul is all about the views, starting with the magnificent spot right where Summit Avenue and Selby Avenue meet. To the north, you can see the Capitol building, to the east downtown and Dayton’s Bluff, and to the southeast, Cherokee Heights. As you walk, you will find magnificent stone buildings, tree-lined streets, and, of course, the hilltop Cathedral of Saint Paul, which was completed in 1915.

Kastina Morrison is a partner at Minneapolis venue consultant and venue manager Bigger Picture Solutions and has planned many events in the neighborhood. She speaks from experience when she says, “This area is beautiful any time of year, and I think winter in Cathedral Hill is lovely, too.”

She recommends The Coven, a coworking community that offers meeting space rental. The flagship Cathedral Hill location has two floors of space inside the historic Blair Arcade building and access to parking for attendees. Another memorable meeting venue is the Minnesota History Center located in the heart of Cathedral Hill. “This venue appeals to my clients who want a vibe that is classic, yet very current,” says Char Mason, event producer and creative strategist at Mason Creative. For group meals, W.A. Frost and Co. is great any time of year, offering space for up to 60 guests. In the winter, attendees can

soak up the European ambience, original artwork, and access to a crackling fireplace. During the warmer months, what’s often called the best outdoor dining patio in St. Paul is open for business.

BRING ON THE QUAINT

Just 23 miles from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, Stillwater’s Main Street still manages to seem like a faraway, undiscovered gem. Rated one of the top 10 “Prettiest Towns in America’’ by Forbes, the city’s Main Street riverfront area is even listed on the National Register of Historic Places. But “historic” certainly doesn’t mean “sleepy,” and this area is delightfully vibrant all year long. In fact, if everything seems just a little bit more longstanding here, there’s a reason for that: Stillwater is one of Minnesota’s oldest towns, predating the founding of Minneapolis by several years.

“This is such a popular spot because the Main Street is so cute and quaint that it truly feels like you’re on a little getaway, even if the meeting is a short one,” says Lexie Cummings, owner of Availed Wedding + Event Planning in Minneapolis. “Guests love when events are in the heart of Stillwater, primarily due to how walkable it is.” Between activities, meeting attendees can stroll along the iconic street,

which has 100 locally owned art galleries, fashion boutiques, breweries, and gift shops, plus dining options that often include outdoor patio spaces with views of the St. Croix River and bluffs.

Cummings says the 55-room Hotel Crosby, located right on what it describes as “hip-storic” Main Street, is a “must stay.” It has meeting and event space, an on-site spa, and an on-site dining option, Matchstick Restaurant & Spirits.

A HOMETOWN RETREAT

“[Red Wing] is such a great location for weekend retreats or meetings that will potentially include multiple days, with portions of the itinerary allowing for exploration of the area,” says Morrison. If she sounds especially enthusiastic, it’s because Red Wing is her hometown. Some of her can’t-miss hometown activities include hiking on the He Mni Can-Barn Bluff, one of the best-known natural features along the upper Mississippi River. She also touts the morning coffee at Hanisch Bakery and Coffee Shop. Known for some of the best baked goods in Minnesota, it’s located in the heart of historic downtown Red Wing. And no visit would be complete without a post-meeting waterfront stroll at Levee Park, where attendees might even see passengers boarding the riverboats.

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St. Paul’s Selby Avenue runs through the heart of the Cathedral Hill neighborhood.

The bustling Main Street has a “shop local” vibe, including iconic Minnesota retailers like Red Wing Shoes and Duluth Trading Co. The street is also home to the historic St. James Hotel, often referred to as the most romantic hotel in Minnesota. Meeting locations include Willow Brooke Farm, located in the Flower Valley area, which has a large year-round reception space and a vineyard for groups up to 300. Mazumdar also mentions the Round Barn Farm. “It’s a special space with a historic round barn that dates [to] well over 100 years old. There’s a wonderful, covered pavilion space that’s large and flexible.”

‘SUPERIOR’ IN EVERY WAY

A Main Street on the water is a beautiful sight to behold, which explains why Duluth’s Canal Park is such a popular destination for meetings and events. “When my clients select Duluth for their meetings, attendance is always high,” says Tammi Krone, associate regional vice president for HelmsBriscoe, a meetings procurement and site-selection company in Scottsdale, Arizona. “It’s a location that’s easy to work with, easy to get to, and has so many things for attendees to do. Duluth makes sense because everyone wants to go there.”

Attendees also love the close-to-nature vibe of Canal Park, and meeting planners prize the way this city can accommodate

their needs. The Duluth Entertainment Convention Center has 26,000 square feet of space for groups in its City Side Convention Center, and its Lake Superior Ballroom can seat 1,800 people for dining or break down into five separate meeting rooms for smaller gatherings.

Greysolon by Black Woods, which caters corporate events of any size, is a fixture in the city. “We’re conveniently located next door to the Sheraton [Duluth] Hotel, as well as the revitalized NorShor Theatre,” says Sales and Events Director Korah Johansen. Be sure to gaze up when you’re in that historic ballroom, where you will spot ornate chandeliers and original murals. In addition to the Sheraton, larger local hotels include the Holiday Inn and Canal Park Lodge. Restaurants The Boat Club, Grandma’s Saloon & Grill, and Black Woods Grill & Bar accommodate groups.

Krone offers this advice: “Of course everyone wants to be in Canal Park in the summer, but if planners can look at the shoulder months, they will probably find better deals. Planners should engage with Visit Duluth from the very beginning of their planning process, because they make things so much easier.”

ARTISTRY IN ACTION

The southeastern Minnesota river town of Lanesboro is an artistic colony that was named one of the country’s “Top 12 Small

Town Artplaces” by Artplace America, and no wonder—it has an extraordinarily high density of creative activities concentrated in one small community. In the revitalized downtown Main Street area, attendees might walk to the Commonweal Theatre, local history and natural history museums, farmers markets, art galleries, and restaurants. This downtown shopping district also includes the impressive Lanesboro Arts Center, with more than 70 local and regional artists, public exhibitions, classes and workshops, artist retreats, and residencies.

Overnight accommodations that can handle groups include the Stone Mill Hotel, created in an 1885 feed mill and featuring 13 themed rooms, as well as The Cottage House Inn with its 13 standard rooms and two one-bedroom apartment suites.

If your meeting includes time for recreation, attendees might want to rent bikes and try out the Root River State Bike Trail, winding 60 miles through the valley, with Lanesboro at the center. It’s no wonder Minnesota Monthly magazine describes the town’s vibe as “a quirky crossroads of the arts and outdoors.”

discoverstillwater.com

lanesboro.com

minneapolis.org

redwing.org

visitduluth.com

visitsaintpaul.com

LEFT) Cory Snyder, Kate Becker Photography

Left to right: An artist paints en plein air in Lanesboro; Greysolon at Black Woods in Duluth is next to the Sheraton Duluth Hotel.

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ST. JAMES HOTEL

800-252-1875 st-james-hotel.com

Experience more at the St. James Hotel. This luxury hotel features 67 beautifully appointed Victorian guest rooms in the heart of downtown Red Wing. Set amid the iconic Mississippi River and majestic bluffs, the St. James Hotel is a place where authentic tradition blends with contemporary sophistication and genuinely enthusiastic customer service.

photo by: vick photography

‘Effortless Sophistication’ in Chaska

» BELLAGALA, an event-planning company based in St. Paul, opened Equestria West at Bavaria Downs in July, joining the company’s Edward Anne Estate venue on the Bavaria Down’s property in Chaska. The one-time horse stable was stripped down to the studs and rebuilt into a 24,000-square-foot event center featuring two ballrooms, private suites, an indoor-outdoor bar, a courtyard, and manicured gardens. The space flaunts vaulted ceilings, herringbone floor tile, floorto-ceiling stone fireplaces, chandeliers, and a garden fountain. D’Amico Catering is the venue’s exclusive food, beverage, and service provider.

“With … exquisite features at every turn, Equestria West was designed with pure elegance in mind,” says Venue Director Ann Grant in a prepared statement. “From intimate gatherings to grand affairs, the property can be booked to fit myriad events … with effortless sophistication.”

–Todd R. Berger

bavariadowns.com

ROCHESTER HILTON BEST IN NATION (AGAIN)

For the second year in a row, the Hilton Rochester Mayo Clinic Hotel won the Connie Award as the top Hilton hotel in the nation with 500 rooms or less. Managed by Rochester’s Croft Hospitality, the 264-room, 19-story hotel has 20,140 square feet of event space, including two ballrooms. The hotel is two blocks from Mayo Clinic and connected to the clinic via skyway. The hotel also won the Connie Award in this category last year. The award, named after the chain’s founder Conrad Hilton, is bestowed based on overall experience and service. –Todd R. Berger hilton.com

PHOTOS (FROM ABOVE) Andrew Vick Photography, Hilton Hotels

Elegance Meets Innovation

Morrissey Hospitality, a familyowned hospitality management company based in St. Paul, has opened a new event space in the city’s downtown. The venue, Three Sixty St. Peter Street, is exclusively catered by The Saint Paul Hotel and offers three contemporary gathering spaces suitable for corporate retreats, networking events, cocktail receptions, banquets, and more.

The 5,500-square-foot facility features a private boardroom that seats up to 14, a high-end lounge suitable for groups ranging from eight to 64, and a reception space that can accommodate 120. Two dual-purpose pods are also available for breakout groups. Each space is equipped with the latest audiovisual technology, event menus are tailored by Chef Thomas Sandborgh, and visitors can enjoy a game of shuffleboard on-site.

–Madeline Fuerstenberg

threesixtyeventspace.com

CONNECT MARKETPLACE LANDS IN MINNEAPOLIS

Some 3,000 meetings professionals gathered at the Minneapolis Convention Center downtown for Connect Marketplace 2023 in late August. Meet Minneapolis, the city’s convention and visitors bureau that also oversees the convention center, saw the conference as a golden opportunity to showcase the city for the many meeting planners who came to town.

“To get this number of meeting planners here in person to see how [Minneapolis] can put on a major event like Connect [Marketplace] gives them the confidence that we’re ready to do their event,” says Melvin Tennant, president and CEO of Meet Minneapolis. “We know that having people here on-site is one of the best sales strategies that we can employ. We expect this to really help us close a significant amount of future business.”

–Todd R. Berger connectmeetings.com | minneapolis.org

HENDRIKSON TO LEAD VISIT SAINT PAUL

» VISIT SAINT PAUL, the city’s convention and visitors bureau, named Jaimee Lucke Hendrikson president and CEO in early August after a national search. Hendrikson has worked for Visit Saint Paul since 2013 and as vice president of marketing and partnership since 2019. She shared how she reacted when she heard the news.

“Oh my gosh, I was thrilled and honored,” Hendrikson says. “I’m really excited about this opportunity, so I had a very easy answer, which was, ‘Yes.’”

Hendrikson believes her passion for St. Paul and her extensive experience marketing the city, as well as her past work with the Grand Avenue Business Association, helped prepare her for the role. She adds, “Being in a leadership role here at Visit Saint Paul for the last 10 years has really afforded me the opportunity to have knowledge and experience with the city, the people of the city, the businesses in the city, and knowing the work here in this organization and the people, and [knowing] what it’s going to take to keep things moving forward.” –Todd

R. Berger visitsaintpaul.com

GIANT MEETINGS & EVENTS

Elevate your corporate or private meetings and events at Giants Ridge, where natural beauty meets modern amenities for an unforgettable experience.

Biwabik, MN

The Better Way

Minneapolis’ Michaella Holden launched Lucent Blue Events + Design to produce ever-greener events

BY TODD R. BERGER

» WHEN YOU ASK Michaella Holden, founder and chief experience officer of Minneapolis’ Lucent Blue Events + Design, how she got her start in event planning, she harkens all the way back to when she was 11. “I had a small birthday party entertainment service for kids that my best friend and I put together,” she notes. “I think that’s where I got the bite for events.”

After graduating magna cum laude from Barnard College and receiving a Master of Public Administration from New York University (NYU), the Northfield native who grew up on a turkey farm began her career in New York City, first with a small nonprofit, then at NYU’s Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service, and subsequently with David Stark Design and Production. As her career progressed, she made note of some concerns she had about the industry.

“Events can be extremely wasteful,” she says. “In fact, they’re second only to construction in how much waste they produce. … Having grown up on a farm and being a pretty strong environmentalist, it would be heartbreaking at these big venues in New York City. … I would gather everything up at the end of the day and ask the venue where I could recycle these things, and some venues didn’t recycle. Not only that, but after a really big event is done, you’re filling up a whole dumpster with garbage that goes to the landfill. I felt like there had to be a better way.”

When Holden moved back to Minnesota in 2015, she founded Lucent Blue, an event-planning company that prioritizes environmental responsibility. “I set out to produce events in the most sustainable ways possible,” she says. “We like to say we design with our blue planet in mind. We help our clients think about how they can minimize their environmental impact and their carbon footprint.” In addition, she employs decor with recyclable and sustainable materials, and contracts with vendors who have green practices built into their business models.

Holden has produced events for NFL on Location during Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis in 2018, Save the Boundary Waters, True North Collaborative, Cartier, Carnegie Hall, and the Metropolitan Opera, to name a few. Holden says, “Our goal is to become a leader in the events industry, both in creating fantastic, exciting, experiential events, and also in pioneering more sustainable practices in the events world.”

PHOTO Darin Kamnetz

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