Minnesota Meetings + Events Spring 2023

Charming

ROCHESTER

Flock to the scenic community with a big heart

REFRESHED & FOCUSED

Boost attendees’ well-being at soothing spas

inside!

GOLF GUIDE

World-class golf resorts at your fingertips

On the Cutting Edge

BY NATALIE COMPAGNO

Discover the hottest technology that will bring your meeting or event to a higher level.

Editor’s Note

6 Meeting Notes

Take your next meeting from drab to fab with the help of these products, places, and inspiring ideas.

12 Destination

Home to the state’s largest ballroom, the Mayo Clinic, and tons of scenic beauty, Rochester is a haven.

34 Industry Update

Discover the latest industry updates through our Meetings + Events infographic and Minnesota news.

40 People Profile

The Duluth Entertainment Convention Center’s Daniel Hartman feels Lake Superior is fabulous—and thinks you will, too.

Special Section //

Golf Guide

Take a swing at these topographically diverse golf resorts across the nation.

the Body and Soul

BY

“My Brother and I” statue near the Mayo Clinic

Massage at Grand View Lodge’s Glacial Waters Spa

LIANNA MATT MCLERNON

“Om.”

meetingsmags.com/minnesota

mnmeetingsmags

More Mr. Nice Guy (and Gal)

» WHEN PLANNING AN EVENT, the focus is often on logistics such as booking relevant speakers, ordering food, contracting a venue, and securing a block of hotel rooms. All these things are indeed critical, but it will perhaps surprise many that one of the most important catalysts of a successful event is free and more about attitude than organizational planning. The secret: Be kind.

Why? Biologically speaking, being kind boosts serotonin and dopamine, the brain neurotransmitters responsible for feelings of satisfaction and well-being. It can also cause you or the subject of your thoughtfulness to release endorphins (hormones that are natural pain killers). When you are amiable, everyone feels better.

Moreover, kindness strengthens connections with others. Empathy and compassion, common elements of altruism, also decrease loneliness and increase selfesteem. Making genuine, benevolent gestures to others is unlikely to elicit negative reactions. (But even if it does, kill them with kindness anyway.)

It’s also good for the bottom line. Many studies reveal that most prefer to do business with companies they perceive to be compassionate. For meeting planners, instilling cordiality in your events will keep people coming back year after year.

There are opportunities for graciousness when booking services at the Idlewild Spa at the Omni Viking Lakes Hotel in Eagan, one of the many spas featured in this issue. For example, you can be courteous when speaking on the phone with the venue and when you arrive with your group. Be considerate to the waitstaff when visiting Four Daughters Vineyard & Winery near Rochester, and treat Mall of America employees with friendliness when organizing your event in the mall’s Huntington Bank Rotunda.

A few years ago, I went to a week-long event in Seoul, South Korea. I do not speak Korean, but I did take the time to learn a few things in the country’s native language prior to the flight: “hello,” “please,” “thank you,” and “This was delicious.” I used my “delicious” line in a Korean restaurant after a memorable dinner of bulgogi with kimchi with a large group of colleagues. When I mouthed what came out as “Mas-isseoss-eoyo” to the hostess as I got up to leave, a broad smile came across her face. I have no idea what she said to me in response, as it was more than just “thank you,” but for just a moment, two people who didn’t speak a common language, connected.

TODD R. BERGER Senior Editor tberger@greenspring.com

Correction: On page 9 of the Winter 2023 issue of Minnesota Meetings + Events, the article “Three Hip Ways to Team Build in the Twin Cities” mistakenly says Paddle Bridge Kayak Tours offers tours in one-person kayaks. The company offers tours in one- and twoperson kayaks. Minnesota Meetings + Events regrets this error. paddlebridge.com

PHOTO: DARIN KAMNETZ

meetingsmags.com/minnesota

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Presenting the Best Carry-Ons

When taking to the skies for a meeting or event in a distant city, you will need a carry-on to hold your pantsuits, starched shirts, toiletries, and, quite possibly, digital projector. Minnesota Meetings + Events looked at the best options for discerning travelers.

BEST OVERALL Away » The Carry-On

The Carry-On from Away has a dent-proof polycarbonate shell, leather details, a waterresistant laundry bag, a TSA-approved combination lock, and an interior compression system. The 360-degree spinner wheels glide down the jetway, and The Carry-On meets most airline carry-on standards for less than $300. The Bigger Carry-On offers more room for your business attire. awaytravel.com

BEST BUDGET-FRIENDLY

Target » Open Story Hardside Carry-On Suitcase

Available in black, denim blue, dark green, and champagne, the 21.5-inch Open Story Hardside Carry-On Suitcase from Target checks all the boxes at less than $200. With a hard-shell exterior made of a sturdy polycarbonate and mesh interior compartments, this budget option is compatible with almost all airline carry-on standards. It is also available in a 29-inch size. tinyurl.com/TargetOpenStory

BEST SPLURGE-WORTHY

Rimowa » Original Cabin Carry-On Aluminum Suitcase

At $1,400, the Rimowa Original Cabin Carry-On Aluminum Suitcase will appeal to travelers with high standards. In addition to the metal shell exterior, the Rimowa has a lifetime warranty, cotton interior, metal zippers, multiwheel roller system, adaptable interior divider, TSA-approved locks, and sturdy telescoping handles. When cost isn’t a concern or you wish to protect breakable tech, the Original Cabin Carry-On is the suitcase for you. rimowa.com –Todd

R. Berger

SURFING THE SKIES

Delta Airlines now offers free Wi-Fi on most domestic flights, making it the first major airline in the U.S. to offer free in-flight internet access. In a partnership with T-Mobile, over 500 aircraft serving Delta’s most popular routes, such as flights to Atlanta, Boston, and Minneapolis-St. Paul, are outfitted with fast-streaming satellite connectivity.

“Our vision has long been to deliver an experience at 30,000 feet that feels similar to what our customers have available on the ground,” Delta Airlines CEO Ted Bastain says in a prepared statement.

Customers can determine if their flight has free Wi-Fi by a sticker near the airplane’s boarding door and can connect to the service via their SkyMiles account. delta.com –Eliana

Kinzer

SIP AND BAKE

» LAST JULY, Minnesota clarified a 2019 law to legalize small amounts of hemp-derived tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the same psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, for consumption and sale in the state for those over the age of 21. This law, focusing on the purchase and sale of hemp-derived THC, is unique nationwide and has launched a new industry within the state’s borders. The amount of THC is capped at 5 milligrams per serving and 50 milligrams per package. The law also legalizes hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD), which is not psychoactive and may have positive health effects.

The Minnesota law, unlike laws in every other state, does not make any restrictions on who can buy or sell THC products, aside from the age requirement. Not surprisingly, breweries with THC drinks are sprouting all over the state, and many have meetings and events spaces. Here are three of Minnesota Meetings + Events’ favorites.

Bent Paddle Brewing Co. » Duluth

Bent Paddle Brewing Co. has two sparkling waters differing in flavors and in the amount of CBD and THC. Passion fruit and orange guava CBD+ has less THC and more CBD, while mango-tangerine THC+ balances the two, with THC at

the 5-milligram limit. The brewery opened Cann-A-Lounge + Market in mid-February, a space for adults to drink THC and CBD beverages, as well as to consume hemp-derived gummies and buy hemp products from Minnesota purveyors. bentpaddlebrewing.com

Burning Brothers Brewing LLC » St. Paul

For those with a sweet tooth, venture to St. Paul’s Burning Brothers Brewing LLC to sample its THC Kite Soda in citrus, ginger ale, and root beer flavors. The root beer is vegan, as well. The brewery’s taproom is in the city’s Midway neighborhood 10 minutes from downtown Minneapolis and downtown St. Paul. burnbrosbrew.com

Dangerous Man Brewing Co. » Minneapolis

Dangerous Man Brewing Co. serves two fruit-and-THCinfused, nonalcoholic sparkling waters in its taproom a short distance from downtown in Northeast Minneapolis. Both branded Canna Blissed, the tonics come in pomegranate, blueberry, and mint, as well as mango, tangerine, clementine terpenes, mango terpenes, and a focused terpene blend. dangerousmanbrewing.com –Todd R. Berger

Clockwise from left: Bent Paddle Brewing Co.’s CBD and THC offerings; Canna Blissed from Dangerous Man Brewing Co.; Kite Soda from Burning Brothers Brewing LLC

Grinding the GG at Mall of America

There is no need to worry if you don’t understand the title of this article. Video gamers at Wisdom Gaming Studios at Mall of America in Bloomington might take repetitive actions to achieve their desired outcome while gaming—known as “grinding”—and send a message of GG at the end of a match, telling other players that it was a “good game.” That said, you don’t need to know such video game lingo to host an event at the studios— but without a doubt, if you do stage your gathering there, you will immerse your group in competitive gaming at Minnesota’s only full-service video game production studio, esports broadcaster, tournament organization company, and esports bar.

“Wisdom Gaming Studios is the best place to experience esports in Minnesota, whether you want to sit and enjoy a live event at our esports bar, The High Ground, or take advantage of our top-of-the-line production space,” says Jaycie Gluck, senior vice president at Wisdom Gaming Inc., the studio’s parent company. “For nongamers, Wisdom Gaming Studios is the perfect place to learn more about esports and find out why so many people love gaming. They can watch the best esports in the world, [and] they can compete with their friends or colleagues in a variety of video games in one of our gaming pods.”

There are multiple spaces within the studios to host events, including The High Ground, which has a capacity of 221 standing; the Sound Stage, which can accommodate up to 271 people and includes professional video equipment and a green screen; and several smaller rooms filled with gaming computers. The High Ground has five big screens featuring esports and two gaming pods rentable by the hour. The food menu is largely pub food, and drinks are heavy on craft cocktails and Minnesota beers. Food and drink are not allowed in the rooms with professional video equipment, and regularly scheduled gaming events at the studios are open to the public.

Whether you come to grind it out or not, Wisdom Gaming Studios is a fascinating, one-of-a-kind event venue. –Todd R. Berger

wisdom.gg

YOU DON’T HAVE TO SPEAK NORWEGIAN

Minneapolis’ Norway House completed a $19.5 million expansion last year. The renovations give the center—which is dedicated to connecting Americans with contemporary Norway through arts, business, and culture—a 225seat event center and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Franklin Avenue. In addition, it is home to a 16-foot mirrored-steel pinecone sculpture by Norwegian artist Finn Eirik Modahl. The pinecone rises from the courtyard in front of Norway House.

“It’s a very nice and warm place,” says Christina Carleton, executive director of Norway House. “Now that we have a larger venue, we can host more people.”

St. Paul-based Norwegian-American architect Dewey Thorbeck designed the expansion. The largest event space is 3,400 square feet and can accommodate 225 seated and 300 for cocktail receptions. Norway House shares a building with the Norwegian Honorary Consulate General and the Norwegian American—the only Norwegian-language newspaper in the United States—and is on the same block as the Lutheran Norwegian Memorial Church, which has services in Norwegian every Sunday at 11 a.m. Queen Sonja of Norway attended the center’s grand opening in October. –Todd

norwayhouse.org

R. Berger

PHOTOS: WISDOM GAMING STUDIOS; LAUREN ENGFER

Light-filled meeting space at Norway House

Cheering esports players in The High Ground; Above: Gaming pod at Wisdom Gaming Studios

Much More Than a Suburb

Bloomington captivates and fires up meeting-goers with a mammoth mall, hotels galore, verdant parks—and a working ski jump.

BY TODD R. BERGER

» IT REALLY DOESN’T get more convenient for meetings and events in Minnesota than gathering in Bloomington. The city sits directly across Interstate 494 from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport; is home to the largest shopping mall in the country, which is also the city’s biggest meeting space; and harbors natural areas on one-third of the city’s land area. And with construction of the largest indoor water park in the nation likely to be completed by 2025 and with Bloomington’s status as one of five cities being considered for the 2027 World’s Fair, the future shines for the fourth-largest city in Minnesota.

VIBE: “Bloomington [is] charming, but it also offers big thrills, which, of course, [we’re] talking about Mall of America,” Bonnie Carlson, president and CEO of the Bloomington Convention & Visitors Bureau, says, while admitting she borrowed the description from a recently visiting travel writer. In addition to the teeming mall and the urban feel to much of the city, “most of the properties back up to nature sites,” she adds. “If you can go out for a walk during your lunch break or something, it’s terrific. We had a meeting that was at the Hyatt Regency Bloomington-Minneapolis, and it was

just lovely to be able to go out and walk around that campus. I think most of our hotels offer that option.”

TRANSPORTATION: The centrally located international airport borders Bloomington to the north, with hotel shuttles, taxis, and ride-sharing app services all offering a lift for the short ride south to the city. Two major freeways—Interstates 35W and 494—run through the city, and the Metro Blue Line light rail glides from Mall of America to downtown Minneapolis (where you can transfer to the Metro Green Line to reach downtown St. Paul).

Clockwise from top left: The Normandale Japanese Garden at Normandale Community College; Disc golf at Hyland Hills; Radisson Blu Mall of America’s FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar; VIP Tours at Mall of America

The Metro Orange Line Bus Rapid-Transit express service has stations along I-35W, a highway that bisects the city and travels north to downtown Minneapolis, a mere 15 minutes away.

HOTELS: Bloomington’s room count totals 9,500 in mostly well-known hotel chains. The largest is the DoubleTree by Hilton Bloomington-Minneapolis South, which has more than 85,000 square feet of event space. Properties from Embassy Suites and Hyatt are sprinkled around the city. The Radisson Blu Mall of America and the JW Marriott Minneapolis Mall of America bookend the north and south sides of the mall, allowing indoor access to the huge event spaces.

RESTAURANTS: Ciao Bella serves a fresh take on Italian cuisine prepared with regional ingredients. Hazelwood Food + Drink plates modern comfort food (think steak, walleye, and gourmet burgers), while Kincaid’s Fish, Chops & Steaks will place mahi mahi, lobster tail, or prime rib in front of you. You will also find fine dining and inventive cocktails at the Radisson Blu Mall of America’s FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar, and you can devour the Smack Shack Original Lobster Roll at Smack Shack. Additionally, over 50 more restaurants call Mall of America home.

MUST-SEES AND -DOS: Carlson notes some of her favorites, “Normandale Community College has a Japanese garden. … It’s unique. Then we have Spruce Shadows Sheep Farm [and] Bush Lake Ski Jump, which is an active ski jump. We also have Hyland Hills, which is a [downhill and cross-country] ski area. They redid their whole chalet, and they host [events]; they do things in the summer like outdoor movies on the hill, and they have a grill in there where you can stop for lunch or a little happy hour.”

bloomingtonmn.org

Right now, we’re issuing one-time grants for meetings, conventions and sporting events. There’s never been a better time or better deal for meeting in Duluth.

The Compassionate City

Bring

» A 90-MINUTE DRIVE FROM the Twin Cities, Rochester is a bustling southern Minnesota city with tons of urban and scenic attractions. The city is known for its beautiful location, abundant dining establishments and entertainment experiences, and its commitment to creating a caring community for residents—and visitors. The city distinguishes itself by the rich history of medical advancements at the Mayo Clinic.

“[The Mayo Clinic] is a world-renowned brand that was built upon compassion, and though it was not built in the form of a

BY

AVA DIAZ

physical attraction, you really get the sense of community here,” says Joe Ward, president of Experience Rochester. “I think those are the perfect ingredients when we are talking about hospitality for all our guests.”

Minnesota Meetings + Events explored some of Rochester’s “ingredients,” including top-notch event venues, restaurants, shopping, entertainment options, and historical attractions that distinguish the city—making it a premier meetings and events destination.

The Mayo Civic Center sits along the banks of the Zumbro River.

WELCOMING RESTAURANTS

Looking for something to satisfy your appetite? The Rochester food scene offers everything from traditional Midwestern grub like walleye and cheese curds to opulent dining experiences showcasing global flavors. “You get a taste for big-city food in a small city,” Ward says.

For American classics with a twist, try Purple Goat. Opened in 2021, the restaurant has an outdoorsy, cabin-like atmosphere and a touch of modern design. The space features exposed wood, a fish tank with local freshwater fish, a fireplace, and a flame-broiled rotisserie oven.

“We did not [want] cookie cutter and wanted to be unique,” says Charles Morris, general manager of Purple Goat. “We wanted to create something that was warm and inviting—casual but comfortable.”

This welcoming approach is also showcased in its menu featuring burgers, sandwiches, pastas, and what Morris describes as the fan favorite: birria tacos. Planners can rent the venue’s private dining space, the Parkside Room, which can seat 44 people with room for more cocktail-style.

Established last August, Red Cow is the latest addition to the Rochester culinary landscape. As a Twin Cities-based upscale burger joint, it boasts meaty handhelds accompanied by a selection of wines and local craft brews. Menu highlights include the turkey and avocado burger topped with a cilantro-lime aioli, radish, arugula, and crushed pistachios. Or for the beef lovers, the Double Barrel Burger features white American cheese wedged between two patties topped with grilled onion and horseradish sauce. For a Midwestern favorite, try the beer-battered Wisconsin Cheese Curds served with triple berry ketchup for sweet and savory bites.

Other great eateries include a classic Italian eatery, Terza, and southeast Asian inspired ThaiPop—both in downtown Rochester. Or, head to one of Rochester’s oldest commercial buildings to delve into fresh seafood and oysters at Bleu Duck, which is also host to a private dining space for up to 80 people.

THE CITY’S BREWS AND VINTAGES

It’s no secret that there has been a surge of craft breweries and wineries across the state. And luckily for visitors to Rochester, there are plenty of tasty options.

As the only brewpub in Rochester, Forager Brewery is most known for its

barrel-aged brews. Procuring its ingredients locally, Forager says its beers represent Rochester’s agricultural presence. “We are always showcasing what is fresh, available, and seasonal,” says Annie Henderson, co-owner of Forager Brewery.

Located in a former co-op, the venue offers plenty of gathering space. The Barrel room is the main private dining space, featuring walls lined with barrels filled with up to 3-year-old aging beer and seating up to 50 people. For a more intimate setting, try the Library, which seats 20. Or embrace the great outdoors and enjoy the recently expanded patio for up to 125 seated.

If beer isn’t your preference, head to Four Daughters Vineyard & Winery.

Clockwise from top: Purple Goat serves inventive cocktails, handhelds, and reasonably priced entrees; Red Cow’s Ahi Tuna Crisps; The taproom at Forager Brewery

PHOTOS: (CLOCKWISE) PURPLE GOAT; RED COW; FORAGER BREWERY; (OPPOSITE) EXPERIENCE ROCHESTER

The Ear of Corn Water Tower

Resembling an ear of corn, Rochester’s water tower prominently displays one of the many vegetables processed at the Seneca Foods canning factory, located across the street from the landmark on the Olmstead County Fairgrounds. Standing at 151 feet, the recently restored water tower has been an icon to the Rochester community since 1931.

As the largest winery in the state, Four Daughters is most known for its wine crafted from cold-climate grapes grown on its 6-acre vineyard, as well as Loon Juice, a cider made from Minnesota-grown Honeycrisp apples. New to the beverage selections this year is barrel-aged bourbon made from distilled corn grown on the nearby farm of the owner’s father.

“It is an agri-tourism experience when people come,” says Kristin Osborne, marketing director of Four Daughters Vineyard & Winery. The restaurant serves fresh pizzas, the vast interior space fits groups of up to 300, and a large patio overlooks the vineyard. “It is a chance to be outside in the vineyard and in the sun,

Digital Edition

Regional stories on the top meeting and event venues, advice from professionals, and reports on food, beverage, decor, technology and more… AT YOUR FINGERTIPS!

and [to] just have time to be in a wide-open space,” Osborne says. “When people come, it feels like an upscale, rural experience. We are right off [U.S. Highway 63], so it is easy to get here, but it feels like you are far away, and it is relaxing.”

GATHERINGS GALORE

The Mayo Civic Center is the largest meeting venue in the city. The property features 66,010 square feet of exhibit space, a 40,000-square-foot ballroom with a capacity of over 4,000 people, 20 breakout rooms, and a reception area connected to the Rochester Art Center and the Civic Theatre.

Additional spaces in the civic center include the Dr. Charles H. Mayo Presentation Hall, which has capacity for 1,084 theater-style; the 25,000-square-foot Arena, which seats 7,200 festival-style or 5,200 for a concert; and the 11,800-square-foot Auditorium for up to 3,000 seated. The civic center also sits on the 11-acre Mayo Park and the Riverfront Plaza along the Zumbro River, affording scenic, fresh-air event options.

Connected to dozens of buildings downtown via climate-controlled skyways, the Mayo Civic Center makes it easy and comfortable year-round for meeting-goers to experience everything Rochester has to offer.

There are many hotels within walking distance of the civic center. The Kahler Grand Hotel has 597 guest rooms and 20,000 square feet of meeting space; the Hilton Rochester Mayo Clinic Area (the winner of the 2021 Connie Award by Hilton, which deemed it the best Hilton hotel with less than 500 rooms in North America) is home to 264 rooms and 20,140 square feet of flexible space; and the Marriott Rochester Mayo Clinic Area showcases 202 rooms and 12,257 square feet of space.

experiencerochester.com

Mayowood Historic Home

Situated on a 3,300-acre country estate overlooking the Zumbro River, the Mayowood Historic Home reflects the city’s rich heritage. As the former home of the Mayo Clinic founders, Dr. Charlie Mayo and his son, Dr. Chuck Mayo, it showcases the family’s legacy beyond their medical accomplishments.

“When you come to the house you get to learn about three generations of the Mayo Clinic, … and you learn more about their personal side than you do about the medical side,” says Dan Nowakowski, Mayowood’s historic site manager.

About a 20-minute drive from the Mayo Clinic, the 23,000-square-foot, 38-room concrete home (the first of its kind in southeast Minnesota) was designed by Dr. Charlie Mayo.

With an affinity for nature, astronomy, art, and plant life, Dr. Charlie Mayo (and the rest of his family) had many hobbies, Nowakowsi says. The estate once featured an observatory, a tea house, conservatory, Japanese garden, and zoo. With most of the original features of the house intact, the estate underwent renovations over the years, such as the conversion of the conservatory into a library, says Nowakowski. For a fun group outing, consider a guided tour of the estate. olmstedhistory.com

Mayowood Historic Home

The Hilton Rochester Mayo Clinic Area exudes sophistication.

PHOTOS: AB PHOTOGRAPHY; MAYOWOOD HISTORIC HOME

2023 GOLF GUIDE

Across the United States, golf resorts provide planners with an array of world-class facilities in breathtaking settings.

PHOTO: ADOBE/ROSIEAPPLES

Mastering the Terrain

GOLF GOES BEYOND just green grass and on-target putts that drop in the hole—it’s a game that brings people together in the great outdoors. With a variety of globally recognized course styles to choose from, it is important to know the difference between them, how they impact play, and the obstacles each presents—from sandy deserts and breezy waterfronts to forest-lined grassy stretches.

To better understand the role landscapes have in the way people play around the world, we explored the different categories of golf courses across varying topographies.

Championship Course

As courses designed to host tournaments, championship courses are defined by their 18 holes of challenging play. The Omni PGA Frisco Resort in Texas, set to open this May, will offer the chance to play two 18-hole championship courses—Fields Ranch East and Fields Ranch West. If your skill set isn’t up to par to master a championship course quite yet, the resort also features simulation and coaching experiences, as well as a 10-hole course, a par-3 course, and a 2-acre putting area. omnihotels.com

Desert Course

With only the playing corridors—the fairways, putting greens, and tee box—consisting of grass, desert courses are a green oasis in dry, sandy landscapes. Using the natural surroundings to their advantage, the sand dunes and rugged terrain provide a formidable set of natural obstacles on the course.

By Ava Diaz

Ranked as Arizona’s No. 1 public course, the Saguaro at the We-Ko-Pa Golf Club is a year-round escape for golfers who reside in colder regions. The Saguaro—which features a oneof-a-kind course design that follows the natural contours of the land—is also prideful of its efforts toward preserving the native soil of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. wekopa.com

PHOTOS: ADOBE STOCK/DAVID A. LITMAN; OPPOSITE: ADOBE STOCK/VLADIMIR BYCHKOVSKY; ADOBE STOCK/JOHN

A simple guide to the topographically distinct varieties of golf courses worldwide

Links Course

Heathland Course

A heath is an extensive area of uncultivated land. Although it is inland, a heathland course contains very few obstructions, and typically contains coarser soil and a spread of heather, or evergreen perennials with woody stems that either support needlelike leaves or small flowers. Heathland courses are usually less manicured and do not require as much maintenance.

While this type of course is most popular in Britain, a well-known course in the United States is the Legends Golf Resort in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. This heathland course, with its lack of dense vegetation, is inspired by courses in the British Isles. legendsgolf.com

Links Course

Known as the oldest style of golf course, links courses were developed in Scotland—the birthplace of modern golf. Being one with nature, this type of course relies heavily on the surrounding terrain to create ideal play following the contours of the land. Typically built along or near a coastline, links courses are often amid a series of natural hills, ridges, and dunes with very little water or vegetation to obstruct shots.

One of the most well-known links courses in the United States is in Pebble Beach, California. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the Pebble Beach Golf Links is arguably one of the best public courses in the country. Golfers play a stunning course that showcases the diversity of its surroundings with its steep bluffs and expansive seaside views. This acclaimed course has hosted six U.S. Opens and is set to host eight more major championships into 2044.

For a midwestern feel with freshwater serenity, try for one of Boyne Golf’s 10 courses spanning three resorts—Boyne Mountain, the Inn at Bay Harbor, and The Highlands—in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. This group of resorts is also part of a diverse lineup of seven resort properties in Michigan including a collection of 22 golf courses in America’s Summer Golf Capital. (Other resorts in the capital collection include A-Ga-Ming Golf Resort, Crystal Mountain, Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, and Treetops Resort.) The golf club at the Inn at Bay Harbor provides a links experience like no other along the shores of Lake Michigan. With a rugged quarry landscape and a preserve that hosts the first half of a round amid a hardwood forest, the challenging course has breathtaking views. pebblebeach.com; boynegolf.com; americassummergolfcapital.com

Parkland Course

Built inland and away from the coastline, parkland courses tend to be greener with more trees and dense grass. The well-manicured and partially constructed details like ponds and bunkers create the feeling of playing in a neighborhood park—hence its name—and provide players with a course that is suitable to various climates.

One of the most famous versions of this course is the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. As host to the Masters Tournament, the course is most well known for its impeccable appearance for optimal play. Magnolia Lane, the road with overarching magnolia trees from the entrance to the clubhouse, leads visitors to a place that accentuates the natural beauty of its environment. To emphasize the role that trees play in the experience, each hole is named after a tree or shrub that can be found at that location of the course—honoring the land’s roots as a former fruit tree nursery. masters.com

Sandbelt Course

This course is classified by the topography found near Melbourne, Australia. Home to sandy soil, this type of landscape makes for an ideal environment to play in because, to many people’s surprise, sand is a desired element due to its light weight and ability to drain excess moisture from the course. In addition, sand can also help level out the green to create a more consistent and smoother surface for year-round play.

Desert Course

Parkland Course

BOYNE Golf

231-549-6012

boynegolf.com

WHEN YOU ARE PLANNING AN EVENT or conference, nothing is more important than knowing you have chosen the right location to help make it a success. With over 100 room types and more than 3,000 beds, the three extraordinary resorts at BOYNE Golf—Boyne Mountain, Inn at Bay Harbor, and The Highlands—have all the options to meet your needs and create a memorable event.

BOYNE Golf offers one of the top golf venues in the United States to play, boasting 10 championship-caliber courses. These courses include the 2019 National Golf Course of the Year, along with others identified by Golf Digest, Golfweek, Golf magazine, and Golf.com as “Best Courses You Can Play in America.” Designed by legendary architects like Arthur Hills, Robert Trent Jones Sr., and Donald Ross, these outstanding courses offer unexpected terrains, boundless visuals, and a golf experience that defies comparison.

While the golf is epic, the trip is easy. Boyne Resorts and courses are conveniently located near the interstate. Cherry Capital Airport in nearby Traverse City offers direct service from 17 United States cities, and the private airport at Boyne Mountain has recently undergone a $4 million upgrade to handle larger private aircraft.

Start planning your most memorable event ever at one of BOYNE Golf’s resorts today.

THE GOLF, EPIC. THE TRIP,

Visit Frisco

972-292-5250

visitfrisco.com

HOME TO SEVERAL PROFESSIONAL SPORTS ORGANIZATIONS, a growing museum district, and more than 9 million square feet of retail and dining space, Frisco, Texas, is the perfect destination for your next event. From world-class event facilities and full-service hotel properties such as Omni PGA Frisco Resort, Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center, Omni Frisco Hotel, The Westin Stonebriar Golf Resort & Spa, and Hyatt Regency Frisco, Frisco can accommodate both small and large events. The properties total 4,400 hotel rooms and 417,000 square feet of meeting space.

Located just 25 minutes north of Dallas, Frisco boasts an impressive golf selection. Dubbed Sports City USA, the city is home to PGA of America headquarters and the Omni PGA Frisco Resort, which opened in spring 2023. The resort features two 18-hole championship golf courses—Fields Ranch East by Gil Hanse and Fields Ranch West by Beau Welling—as well as a 2-acre putting course, entertainment area, and a 10-hole short course. There are also three public courses: Frisco Lakes Golf Club, The Trails of Frisco Golf Club, and Plantation Golf Course.

Choose one of the fastest growing cities in the United States and the home of PGA of America as the location for your next event.

ROOM FOR THE WAY YOU PL AY

Meetings, your way.

Top-rated resorts and meeting spaces for all the ways you work, play, and stay.

Learn more at VISITFRISCO.COM/MEETINGS

America’s Summer Golf Capital

americassummergolfcapital.com

TEE UP BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES at America’s Summer Golf Capital. America’s Summer Golf Capital is a collection of seven resort properties representing 22 golf courses. Located in a picturesque region of Northern Michigan known for its turquoise waters, sandy beaches, and small-town charm, it acts as the perfect combination of long summer days and comfortable weather—great for a round or two.

America’s Summer Golf Capital includes A-Ga-Ming Golf Resort, Crystal Mountain, Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, Treetops Resort, and Boyne Golf—The Highlands at Harbor Springs, Bay Harbor Golf Club, and Boyne Mountain Resort. Each property offers multiple courses to satisfy your group size, skill level, and interest, plus dining options on and off the course.  Experience where passion meets perfection.

PHOTO: AMERICA’S SUMMER GOLF CAPITAL

NURTURING the BODY and SOUL

Productivity and relaxation go hand in hand when you include spa and other wellness extras in your event agenda.

By LIANNA MATT MCLERNON

n event planner’s checklist includes things like keynote speaker confirmation, parking vouchers, conference program editing, and sponsorship signage. And those elements can all come together to make a good event—a great one, even. But to make it brilliant, consider augmenting your schedule with spa and wellness perks.

“A lot of people think spa services are a luxury or [think], ‘If I have extra money, I’ll get a facial,’ or, ‘I don’t really need to have a massage because I work out,’” says Ann Zimmer, spa director of Omni Viking Lakes Hotel’s Idlewild Spa in Eagan. “It’s not only good for your body, but it’s [also] good for mental wellness.”

It’s the ultimate win-win. Your guests feel spoiled, and they will be well-rested to engage in the itinerary you have planned. For example, your attendees may receive a facial that helps them relax, release muscle tension they didn’t know existed, and go into their next meeting refreshed and focused. They might get a massage or acupuncture to alleviate the aches and pains that come from slouching in an office chair all day. Or they might simply receive the nudge they need to put down their phones and reconnect with themselves in a sauna.

WELLNESS IN ABUNDANCE

Just as an esthetician recommends different skin treatments to different clients, spa and wellness center staff can tailor group offerings to the event. An easy way to integrate a wellness activity into a complex schedule is to buy gift cards, and some centers will even give you volume discounts. For another option, places like NE Wellness Center or Halo Healing Therapies Co. in Minneapolis can bring massages to their clients. The former sets up tables and chairs for clothes-on massages in public spaces, while the latter brings its optionally CBD-infused massages to attendees’ hotel rooms.

More coordinated excursions are also available. Spas like Lontis Day Spa & Salon in downtown Minneapolis have spa party packages for guests to mix and match services. Minnesota Meetings + Events recommends checking out the body wrap and reflexology foot treatment in Package B, but you’ll get a special spa gift no matter which package and services you choose.

While Accolades Salon Spa in St. Paul doesn’t have specific services for groups, your attendees are bound to find things they like, whether it’s the hot stone massage or hibiscus peel facial. This business is home to a salon, too, so to give your attendees the freedom to really feel their best, you can consider vouchers that can be redeemed for hair services. Also on the east side of the Twin Cities, you’ll find Awaken for Wellness, a spa and wellness center with a St. Paul location that features float tanks, massages, and a sauna. Travel a little farther east to the Woodbury location to experience a salt room and sauna.

Also consider the Anda Spa, located in the Hotel Ivy in downtown Minneapolis. Its luxurious offerings always include time in the Quartz

Spa and Aura Lounge for relaxation, detoxification, and hydrotherapy—and its gem fixation makes for some beautiful interiors. Don’t forget to check the weather, either. If it’s nice out, you may be able to book a forest bathing session, a Japanese practice that combines deep-breathing exercises with natural beauty to calm participants.

A COMMUNAL EXPERIENCE

So often we think of spas as a form of selfcare, and that’s certainly true. However, it is commonly thought of as a solitary activity, which is not always the case.

Located in Minneapolis, the Watershed is the city’s first communal bathhouse. “So many cultures have a communal bathing tradition, and there’s a reason for this,” founder Nell Rueckl says. “The level of healing that occurs when you are in a group versus individually in these settings is amplified. … One does not need to have a conversation or verbally connect with an individual, but the feeling of safety and community is healing in itself.”

To further emphasize this, Watershed offers yoga therapy, and its sister business, Spot Spa, in the Uptown neighborhood of Minneapolis, can hold group sessions of vibrational sound therapy or acupuncture.

Not all places are as community-forward as Watershed, but that doesn’t mean they’re not built for relaxing together. Just for Me Spa in Stillwater has an LED Light Lounge and Himalayan salt room that each seats up to eight guests. The spa also offers overnight accommodations, catering, and an 800-square-foot meeting room with a 70-inch interactive whiteboard.

On the other hand, NE Wellness Center can host a larger group of about 20 due to a business partnership with a venue down the street, says Clinic Manager Kamie Slegers. Smaller groups can still receive services at the new center, which include float tanks and a more accessible layout. Besides the community acupuncture—a core service of NE Wellness—Slegers says, “We teach wellness classes on different things like sleep, health, nutrition, wellness, and lifestyle. We also do small yoga classes. The space has a backyard, so we’ll have yoga and acupuncture classes back there, and we can host food trucks.”

LET YOUR ATTENDEES UNWIND

Idlewild Spa and Läka Spa at The Hotel Landing in Wayzata feature gathering spaces in their spa areas and follow the Nordic rituals of warming, cooling, relaxing, and repeating, which can make for an extra Minnesota touch for out-of-town visitors.

At Idlewild, attendees enjoy an outdoor whirlpool year-round, a sauna, steam room, Himalayan salt relaxation room, and a general relaxation space with chaise lounges and a gas fireplace—the same space can be rented out and serviced with light refreshments and drinks. Here, your attendees’ spa appointment is not just an in-and-out errand—any spa client is welcome to stay if they wish.

“There [are] a lot of groups that will have spouses or significant others who are coming with them [who use the spa],” Zimmer adds. “Also, we have some groups where they’ll bring in their top performers and then give them the option of having one or two services from the spas as an incentive for them.”

As for Läka, its relaxation lounge has floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the woods, and guests can start or end their experience

Clockwise from top left: Gathering space at Omni Viking Lakes Hotel’s Idlewild Spa in Eagan; Massage room at Minneapolis’ Halo Healing Therapies Co.; Enjoy the Multivitamin Power Facial at Lontis Day Spa & Salon in Minneapolis

PHOTOS: (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT)

OMNI VIKING LAKES HOTEL; MEGHAN DOLL PHOTOGRAPHY; LONTIS DAY SPA & SALON

by going to The Hotel Landing’s restaurant, ninetwentyfive, created by acclaimed Twin Cities Chef Lenny Russo. The eatery also offers private and semiprivate dining areas for parties of four to 160.

Wellness practices in the lineup of events can be customizable experiences depending on the goal of the meeting, explains Sarah Gunter, director of operations at The Hotel Landing. “Is it something [where] they’re coming in for a corporate retreat and they’re here to relax and network—more social? Or is it where they’re coming in for meetings and maybe just want to get a massage after a day of meetings?”

A ONE-STOP SHOP

Minnesota North Woods resort spas are the perfect way to turn your event into a retreat with colleagues. Two favorites are Grand View Lodge’s Glacial Waters Spa in Brainerd and the Waves of Superior Spa at Bluefin Bay in Tofte.

Glacial Waters was recognized as one of the best spas in the country by Spas of America, and services include body, massage, and nail treatments. Grand View’s campus features even more amenities, including outdoor activities like boating, swimming, and golfing; eight dining venues and an ice cream shop; luxurious cabins and lodging options; and robust event capabilities, including 22 customizable spaces.

Waves of Superior Spa’s attendees can opt for the surfside hot stone massage, signature body wrap treatments like the sugar scrubs, and other experiences including an indoor heated lap pool,

hot tub, sauna, and indoor and outdoor relaxation areas along the shoreline of Lake Superior. The spa is also home to eight rentable rooms with capacities ranging from 36 to 90 for private gatherings. For a weekend retreat within arm’s reach, consider Treasure Island Resort & Casino in Welch, which is a little less than an hour southeast of Minneapolis-St. Paul. Its Wave Spa isn’t lacking, with massages, facials, and body wraps, and the location has a bounty of dining, decorating, and event support services—even a private charter cruise option.

GIVE YOUR GUESTS SOME LOVE

Adding spa or wellness offerings to your event isn’t as essential as planning the lunches or the lodging, but it can provide just as much of a boost for your attendees’ well-being—perhaps even more so since many don’t always give themselves this form of self-care.

“Wellness is going to keep growing and growing,” predicts Gunter, noting that companies and individuals are spending more money and prioritizing the sector, year after year. “It’s so worth it. It’s what people need to do for themselves. [With] the environment of what’s going on out there right now, it’s important to take care of yourself.” And whether we’re talking about preparing your attendees for another day of workshops or simply living life to the fullest, don’t you agree?

accoladessalonspa.com

andaspa.com

awakenforwellness.com

bluefinbay.com

grandviewlodge.com

halohealingtherapies.com

thehotellanding.com

justformespa.com

lontisdayspa.com

newellnessmpls.com

omnihotels.com

spotspas.com

ticasino.com

watershedspa.com

From left: Fireside soak at Grand View Lodge’s Glacial Waters Spa in Brainerd; Massage tables at Läka Spa at Wayzata’s Hotel Landing

ALEXANDRIA

Part of building your company, your organization, your people, your team, all revolves around connecting with them on another level.

CONFERENCES

RETREATS

NATURE ALL AROUND

BUSINESS

ASSOCIATIONS

Whether a retreat for upper management, an annual conference for your association, or a reward for performance, the Alexandria Lakes Area has options made for you!

ON THE CUTTING

BY Natalie Compagno

"BEAM ME UP, SCOTTY!”

Trekkies know this phrase was never actually spoken by Captain Kirk in the beloved “Star Trek” TV series, but it has become so iconic as to be embedded in popular culture. Synonymous with this phrase is the image of members of the Starship Enterprise being turned into light particles and moved instantaneously onto faraway planets. When experiencing today’s tech breakthroughs for the meetings and events industries, Captain Kirk would surely say that tech has boldly gone where no person has gone before.

Whether it is VR, AR, holograms, contactless check-in, robots, or LED walls that transport, technology is now incorporated into all aspects of hospitality and group engagement. Although this may sound impersonal, it is the opposite. These innovative tools allow planners to be more creative and reach more guests while still producing that once-in-a-lifetime gathering.

Meeting and event planners can harness these tech breakthroughs to boost business. It is not just about that impressive moment of discovery, tech is how this industry will stay dynamic, inclusive, sustainable, and profitable.

THE HIGH IMPACT OF HOLOGRAMS

Nothing conjures up a futuristic, space-age event element like hologrammed keynote speakers. Talk about a wow factor—audiences get to interact in real time with presenters who are in completely different parts of the world. Larry O’Reilly, CEO of ARHT Media, understands how potent hologrammed speakers are. His company created a hologram of Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy this summer for the Founders Forum in London last June, and three other simultaneous conferences. The reach was exponential and the lasting effect on viewers was powerful. “I remember when I saw a hologram for the first time,”

The future is now for tech breakthroughs in the meetings and events industry.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine, appears as a hologram to connect with attendees at a conference last year.

recalls O’Reilly. “I felt the same way as when I saw IMAX for the first time. It was as if my eyes and ears were deceiving me.”

Hologram technology has a strong appeal for event planners because it allows presenters to attend and participate in meetings and conferences that they couldn’t normally travel to. According to O’Reilly, the key factors and return on investment (ROI) are that “speakers can participate in the run of show, who normally couldn’t attend, therefore, reducing travel costs and carbon footprints, while making a higher impact than live speakers.”

The ramp up for this type of experience can take six weeks or longer, and the earlier in the process ARHT Media can collaborate, the better the result, O’Reilly says. Their partnership with WeWork, however, makes last-minute requests possible, with the same quality. At a conference where environmental

activist Erin Brockovich was to appear via Zoom, the event planners decided to pivot at the last minute due to the incredible audience reaction to a hologrammed speaker the day before. Enter WeWork, near Brockovich’s home in the Los Angeles area, and voila!—Brockovich was hologrammed in. The power of this technology can’t be overstated.

Event planners should note that this technology can be used for more than just worldwide conferences. Movie studios employ holograms to launch films and beam in actors from different time zones for premieres. The bride at a wedding received a pleasant surprise from her best friend, who appeared as a hologram at the reception because she couldn’t celebrate in person. Or consider the birthday party on a yacht in Antarctica, which hosted authors as holograms each night, encouraging passionate book club discussions.

PHOTO: ARHT MEDIA

VIRTUAL LASER IMMERSIVES

Global experiential company Illuminarium Experiences is an innovative entertainment venue with immersive audiovisual experiences. Its locations in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Atlanta, Georgia, have vast, customizable settings where planners can create a dynamic and personalized environment sure to impress. A 4K laser projection system sweeps guests around the planet—to a Japanese night market, a luminous reef beneath the ocean, or a majestic African savanna.

Brian Allen, executive vice president of technology and content integration at Illuminarium Experiences, says it well: “Illuminarium is, as we say, ‘A place that can take you any place,’ and I believe that to be true when you look at the flexible and multimodal nature of our venues.

Using the latest technology platforms across the audio [and] visual world, Illuminarium has built a robust format that allows for flexible programming and future development.”

Mix in chef-driven cuisine and full bar accommodations with expert mixologists for a robust offering that will amaze attendees. Allen concurs, “Illuminarium can host completely virtual events or a blend of in-person and online. Looking toward the future, we are always looking for ways to improve upon the guest experience and deliver the best show possible. This may come in the form of augmented layers that expand the narrative or the way we interact with guests pre-, during, and post-experience,” he says. “We believe that our content starts as soon as a ticket is purchased, and finding ways to reduce friction and effort for our guests is always a priority.”

Illuminarium Experiences provides immersive audiovisual entertainment for groups.

PHOTO: ILLUMINARIUM EXPERIENCES

ROBOTS TO THE RESCUE

The hotel and resort industry also embraces the latest technology for out-of-this-galaxy group hospitality experiences . The new Lake Nona Wave Hotel in Orlando, Florida, greets guests with a futuristic facade of curved glass inspired by a wavelength of energy, but inside is where the tech comes to life. R2D2, please meet the riveting Rosie the Robot Butler. This AI charmer serves drinks to groups during meeting breaks.

Suzie Yang, the general manager of Lake Nona Wave Hotel, reflects on the future of hotel technology for guests: “We have found that travelers—now more than ever—are looking to customize their trips, whether it’s for business or leisure. Technology is essential in making this a reality by allowing them to make choices they couldn’t before. For example, giving them the option of how they would like to check-in, how to customize their room upon arrival, and even envisioning their events on-site through VR [virtual reality] before they happen.”

As Yang points out, these tech enhancements all cater to the guest experience. “Our team carefully incorporated tech-forward features into the hotel that serve to enhance the guest experience. We see this approach as the future of travel, and I’m proud to be part of a team that is paving the way in that sector.”

Nona Wave Hotel is home to Well+ech by Wave, a collection of guest rooms equipped with inventions to perfect health and sleep. Groups can wear VR headsets for group meditation, site inspections, and strolling the Sculpture Garden to visualize future event setups. Top it off with contactless check-in, group agendas, and in-room iPads, and planners have access to the best of the next generation.

MAGIC DOORS, APP CHATS, AND VIRTUAL TOURS

Long lines at the check-in counter leave less time to explore the hotels that resort guests have traveled to enjoy. Thompson Seattle and Thompson Denver offer the World of Hyatt app for contactless checkin that has a “Mobile Key” to unlock the room door. Thompson Seattle embraces hybrid events with The Owl, a voice-activated, advanced webcam that swivels to move the camera toward whomever is speaking, projecting the image of the person to virtual guests. Thompson Denver provides a text platform that allows communication in real-time

with guests. This way of answering questions is the new standard for service and hospitality.

Cassie Conching, director of group sales at Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina agrees, saying that “The Four Seasons App Chat is a valuable technology tool for planners and attendees, both in the planning stages and once the program is onsite. Attendees can connect in real time, directly with our team, to coordinate any special requests, from activity reservations and dining to jobs as simple as printing documents.” The property’s 360 and 3D models assist planners and make their jobs more efficient and accurate. Conching adds, “At Four Seasons Resort Oahu, our team understands how busy and time-consuming the meeting-planning process can be for our partners and clients. These in-depth visuals of the property’s various meeting spaces and guest rooms allow meeting planners and their clients [to see] a true representation and visualization of the event space through our advanced technology.”

Convention centers are also partaking in the breakthrough technology trend. Idaho’s Boise Centre has used LED walls up to 100 feet long for mesmerizing event design, to promote sponsors, and use as content screens. Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center in South Carolina draws on its SKYNAV platform for virtual tours of the destination. This technology is a meeting planner’s dream during the selection and planning processes and gives attendees a real look at the destination before arriving at the event. Seattle Convention Center’s new Summit building incorporates technology for sustainability. Summit’s kitchen and scullery include food waste dehydrators that rely on high heat recirculation to dehydrate the waste food, reducing the volume and weight by up to 90%. The output becomes fertilizer to use or to sell.

When President Zelenskyy spoke as a hologram to attendees at one conference in Europe, he wore a “Star Wars” T-shirt. He discussed the tech sector in Ukraine, its opportunities, and a borderless free trade zone for tech. Much like the movie “Star Wars”—and “Star Trek” before it—technology connects all walks of life, all over the planet. These tech breakthroughs might seem futuristic now, but advancements keep moving at the speed of light. One day, when talking about holograms, the discussion will begin with: “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.”

ZOOMING FORWARD

Gen Z embraces hospitality like no other generation.

Born between 1997 and 2012, Generation Z is not only the largest generation in the United States, but it is also the most diverse and digitally inclined. According to the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), as Gen Zers enter the workforce, many are interested in altruistic employers—a primary reason why the hospitality industry has caught the eye of 51% of the generation. This group brings with them unique insights into the digital landscape, along with an investment in social responsibility and professional altruism. If employers treat them well, they will be looking at the next band of well-informed, sociable, and committed industry professionals.

Why Hospitality?

Who is Generation Z?

Gen Z is the demographic cohort succeeding millennials and preceding Generation Alpha.

The AHLA says they spend more time online than any other generation, providing a level of media literacy unique to this generation.

45% of Gen Zers are already working part- or full-time, reflecting an interest in good pay and benefits from employers.

The top three things this generation looks for in an employer are ethical and altruistic standards , a fun and friendly environment , and equitable leadership, according to the AHLA. These characteristics are prominent in the hospitality industry, thus making it an attractive career choice.

51% of Gen Zers are interested in hospitality careers. Events manager and hotel manager are the top desired job titles within the industry, the AHLA reports.

Getting the Industry on Gen Z’s Radar

72% 81%

of Gen Zers learn about jobs from job websites (AHLA).

of Gen Zers prefer email to communicate with employers (AHLA).

Focus on Compensation

» According to Salary.com, the average wage in hotel management with five years of experience is $112,966

» The median pay for a graduate with a hospitality management degree with less than a year of experience is $46,400, according to Business Management Degree.

» Glassdoor reports that the average wage for entry-level event managers is around $44,000

Getting the Degree

According to Data USA, 17,825 degrees in hospitality management were awarded in 2020 in the U.S.

Public two- and four-year universities are the most common institutions to obtain hospitality degrees.

Bachelor’s degrees are the most frequently sought type of degree when pursuing hospitality management.

Offering the Work Criteria

Gen Zers Care About

Pay and benefits

Median tuition for in-state public institutions is $6,429

The three institutions that awarded the highest number of hospitality management degrees in 2020 are Florida International University, University of Central Florida, and University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Engaging work

Opportunity for career growth

Flexible work hours

MEET MINNEAPOLIS EXPECTS STRONG YEAR

This year will likely be a big year for meetings and events in Minneapolis, says Melvin Tennant, president and CEO of Meet Minneapolis, the city’s convention and visitors bureau. And that’s after last year when the city hosted 218 events that brought in $16 million for the Minneapolis Convention Center, which Meet Minneapolis manages, and $188 million in ancillary revenue in the region.

“We anticipate 300 or more events [this year],” Tennant says. “We expect a commensurate increase in revenue and economic impact.”

When asked why he thinks 2023 will be a bigger year than last year, Tennant expresses a common reason. “We have gotten farther away from the [initial days of the] pandemic,” he says. “[Due to the Omicron variant], we started out in the first quarter really with a large deficit, and I’m very proud of our team because essentially in three quarters of the year, we were able to make up all that ground.”

Tennant also notes the increase in the number of events “has a lot to do with the fact that meeting and event organizers understand the value of having in-person meetings. … Putting buyers and sellers

Wooden Hill Adds Event Space

» WOODEN HILL Brewing Co. in Edina is expanding its event area. The additions include an enlarged kitchen and taproom that can hold more than 100 people. It will complement the brewery’s semiprivate lounge that seats 40 and private ballroom that seats 110. The brewery caters events from the taproom’s menu.

at events with their industry’s products is a very important aspect for them.”

Part of the reason 2023 is likely to be strong for meetings and events is Minneapolis itself. As Tennant says, “People are surprised at how green we are. We promote ourselves as a city by nature; really, being a vibrant urban environment in a park-like setting is how we describe ourselves. Some of the things [that first-time visitors don’t know] is that we are literally right on the Mississippi River, … and [the city is] very, very walkable. Everything is accessible in Minneapolis’ compact urban footprint.”

The city is also capable of hosting major events, including the USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championship this June with some 20,000 attendees and 70 volleyball courts set up in the convention center, and Super Bowl LII in 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium, an event that brought 100,000 visitors to the Twin Cities. Tennant adds, “More than 80% of the people who came to Minneapolis [during the Super Bowl] said they were willing to come back and visit. That was a great endorsement for us.” –Todd

minneapolis.org

“We are adding 1,340 square feet to our existing taproom, and our new kitchen will be almost five times larger than our current kitchen,” says Brittany Violet, Wooden Hill’s director of events. “Our private event space will become larger and even have its own private patio. We cannot wait to continue sharing the joy of craft [brewing] with our community in a larger capacity.”

The brewery’s name, “Wooden Hill,” comes from family traditions of the brewery’s co-owner and head brewer, James Ewen. “Up the wooden hill” was the phrase his grandfather used when it was time for him and his brother to go upstairs to bed. –Kyrin Sturdivant

woodenhillbrewing.com

R. Berger

PHOTOS (FROM TOP): ADOBE/F11 PHOTO; MEET MINNEAPOLIS; WOODEN HILL BREWING CO.

An ideal setting for meetings and events

UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS TO BUILD ARENA

The University of St. Thomas, with campuses in each of the Twin Cities, announced a $75 million donation from Lee and Penny Anderson that will fund the construction of a multiuse arena in St. Paul. The sports venue, named The Lee & Penny Anderson Arena, will primarily be used by the school for the men’s and women’s basketball and hockey teams. It will also be used for commencement ceremonies, academic convocation speakers, career fairs, and other special events. It features 6,000 seats, practice courts and rinks, and facilities for sports medicine and nutrition.

The public will also be able to rent out clubrooms and other spaces within the arena for private events. “We will have staff who will help market and operate the facility from an events and activities standpoint, so there will certainly be an ability for people to rent the space—whether it’s the main arena or spaces within the arena,” says Dr. Phil Esten, the University of St. Thomas’ athletic director.

The Anderson family previously donated toward construction of the Anderson Student Center, the Anderson Athletic & Recreational Complex, and the Anderson Parking Facility on the St. Paul campus. Lee Anderson sits on the board of trustees at the university and serves on the board’s finance committee. The university called the donation for the arena the single largest monetary gift the school has ever received.

In July 2021, the University of St. Thomas became the first college to switch from Division III directly to Division I. Esten says, “We know and understand that there is a shortage of ice in the city of St. Paul, and we certainly expect that the second sheet of ice will have availability for local programming, whether its youth hockey or high school hockey.”

The arena will be along Cretin Avenue and Summit Avenue, and it is expected to open in fall 2025. –Eliana Kinzer

BUTCHER & THE BOAR RELAUNCHES IN NORTH LOOP

» THE ORIGINAL Butcher & the Boar adorned Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis for some eight years before shuttering in Sept. 2020. Minneapolis-based Jester Concepts bought the rights to the restaurant con cept, and in February of this year, the company reopened Butcher & the Boar in a warmly lit, glass-enclosed, formerly industrial space on North Third Street in the city’s North Loop neighborhood.

“We thought that [the original] Butcher & the Boar left far too soon,” says co-owner Mike DeCamp. “From the food menu to the drink menu to the wine menu to the design of the restau rant, everything pays a little homage to the past location.”

The restaurant can accommodate groups of some 40 people for a cocktail reception, with private dining rooms seat ing up to 26. –Todd R. Berger

butcherandtheboarmpls.com

Where Lakes & Meetings Begin

Wood Grilled Oysters; Below: Butcher & the Boar’s distinctive lighting

‘Our Best Advantage Is Duluth’

Lake Superior and his home city are top of mind for the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center’s Daniel Hartman.

Born and raised in the CrosbyIronton area of central Minnesota’s Brainerd Lakes region and the son of a mom who owned a party store, Daniel Hartman has lakes and events seared deep in his psyche. The executive director of the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) feels at home in his harborside job, which he took on last June.

“I have always had a thing for being around water,” says Hartman. “My parents lived on a lake growing up, and I think that is part of the lake culture I am very familiar with. And Duluth, being on the shore of Lake Superior, you can’t get more water infusion than that. ... It is just a crazy, crazy beautiful place, and it is definitely a place I wanted to raise my kids, too.”

Hartman sailed 100 miles east of Brainerd Lakes for college at the University of Minnesota Duluth 22 years ago, and during his college years, he led the student effort to build community support for the construction of Amsoil Arena, a 9,264-capacity venue that opened in 2010, which he now oversees. “It is amazing to come back full circle and now be in charge of it,” Hartman muses.

Hartman says he expects the DECC, a multivenue site with a 500-person event staff, to bring in $13 million or more this year, up from $12 million in 2022. However, when asked what is unique about the facility, Hartman is direct. “It’s Duluth. There are few locations that are better to host your meeting than this place. This morning, we had a sunrise coffee event, and I don’t know of a convention center that is better to watch a sunrise than this place. Today’s a bad example—it’s cloudy. But last Friday was drop-dead gorgeous. And to sit in a chair, getting ready for your meeting in the morning, and you see the sun rise over the Aerial Lift Bridge, it’s incredible. … We can do whatever we want in the building, but at the end of the day, our best advantage is Duluth.”

BY TODD R. BERGER

PHOTO: MARK FITZGIBBONS/FITZPHOTO

BRING YOUR MEETING TO LONGSHIP!

Host your meeting in style by reserving a conference room at Longship at Viking Lakes. With conference rooms that hold 8-14, the possibilities are endless.

To reserve your conference space, email frontdesk@longshipvikinglakes.com.