//EVENTS+MEETINGSMINNESOTASUMMER2019MN.MEETINGSMAGS.COMROCHESTERONTHERISE//INSTAGRAMMABLEVENUES 6 striking venues that are brimming with Instagram-worthy moments 33 CHECK IN ON THE PROGRESS OF INITIATIVEDEVELOPMENTECONOMICROCHESTER’S 27 SNAP & SHARE
Green Haven Event Center 763-576-2970Anoka Bunker Hills Event Center Bunker763-951-7234RapidsHills/Coon Majestic Oaks Event Center Ham 763-755-2140Lake TPC Twin Cities 763-795-0846Blaine MermaidCenterEvent Mounds 763-746-2134View Mounds View Event Center Mounds 763-717-4041View SportsNationalCenter 763-785-5600Blaine New EventBrightonCenter New 651-638-2130Brighton North Metro Event Center 651-483-1727Shoreview EventShoreviewCenter 651-490-4790Shoreview Coon Rapids Civic Center Coon 763-767-6522Rapids Banquets Minnesotaof 612-803-6468612-803-6468BlaineFridley NatureSpringbrookCenter 763-572-3588Fridley The right space for any Eventuality www.tcgateway.com/meeting-space
ILEA LIVE 2019 8 - 10 AUGUST 2019 HYATT REGENCY MINNEAPOLIS,MINNEAPOLISMN REGISTERCULTIVATINGNOWATILEALIVE.COMThe compelling education, authentic experiences and intentional connections found only in the ILEA community come to life at ILEA Live to inspire creativity that will foster business success.
NADEAURACHELPHOTO: Summer 2019 MINNESOTA MEETINGS + EVENTS MAGAZINE: IN THIS ISSUE FEATURE 33 Instagrammable These six venues will have attendees snapping pictures and sharing on social media. By Megan Gosch & Morgan Halaska DEPARTMENTS 6 EDITOR’S LETTER 20 TABLESCAPE The Minnesota Opera 2018 Season Gala transported guests to the French Riviera. By Anthony Diaz 22 EVENT PROFILE MANOVA Summit is returning to Minneapolis after its first successful event in 2018. By Josephine Werni 48 PEOPLE PROFILE Meghan Gustafson and Christie Altendorf, co-chairs of ILEA Live 2019, talk teamwork and their plans for the August event. By Josephine Werni GRAND CAFÉ 2 MNM+E | SUMMER 2019
NATURALLY INVITING Mystic Lake Center® is the newest event and convention center in the Twin Cities. Featuring more than 70,000 square feet of dedicated meeting space, Mystic Lake Center can accommodate groups of any size for meetings, corporate events, galas and more. It proudly joins Mystic Lake Casino Hotel® to form the only full-service resort in Minneapolis and St. Paul—making it one of the largest hotels in the metro. OWNED & OPERATED BY THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY © 2019 SMSC Gaming Enterprise mysticlakecenter.com 1-866-832-6402 | sales@mysticlake.com GAMING • GOLF • DINING • HOTEL • SPA
4 MNM+E | SUMMER 2019 AB-PHOTOGRAPHYPHOTO: 2019Summer MEETING NOTES 9 PIN IT A sampling of Pinterest’s top 100 trends from 2019. By Megan Gosch 10 SIGNATURE DRINK & RECOMMENDATIONRESTAURANT Clover Club courtesy of P.S. Steak 12 EXPERT ADVICE Check these boxes to ensure the success of your next meeting or event. By Sydney Wolf 14 TEAM-BUILDING TREND Ax throwing is the latest group activity. By Megan Gosch 16 TIPS FROM A PRO How to strategically use scent to enhance guest experience. By Tiffany Rose Goodyear 16 COOL IDEA Ma Jolie’s mobile market supplies events with fresh flowers. By Megan Gosch 18 MEETING MUNCHIES Confection Cotton Candy sweetens parties. By Megan Gosch INDUSTRY UPDATE 38 INFOGRAPHIC “The Future of Meetings & Events” identifies five macrotrends that will impact the future of meetings and events. Research courtesy of PCMA Foundation and Marriott International 40 REGIONAL NEWS What’s happening in the local industry. Compiled by Morgan Halaska 46 SNAPSHOTS Photos from the Minnesota M+E Best of 2019 ON THE COVER Eastside’s shareable anddiningdishesInstagrammablemakegroupfun. Photo by Rachel Nadeau FEATURE 27 onRochestertheRise The city’s multimilliondollar developmenteconomicinitiativeisunderway. By Julie Kendrick TARGETTARGETTARGETTARGETTARGETTARGETTARGET
TARGET FIELD EVENTS TARGET FIELD EVENTS TARGET FIELD EVENTS TARGET FIELD EVENTS TARGET FIELD EVENTS TARGET FIELD EVENTS TARGET FIELD EVENTS TARGET FIELD EVENTS TARGET FIELD EVENTS TARGET FIELD EVENTS TARGET FIELD EVENTS TARGET FIELD EVENTS TARGET FIELD EVENTS TARGET FIELD EVENTS TARGET FIELD EVENTS TARGET FIELD EVENTS TARGET FIELD EVENTS TARGET FIELD EVENTS TARGET FIELD EVENTS TARGET FIELD EVENTS TARGET FIELD EVENTS THERE IS A TIME AND PLACE FOR EVERYTHING: TARGET FIELD Corporate Meetings | Weddings | Receptions | Tradeshows | GalasTargetFieldEvents.comToreserve an exceptional experience for your next corporate or holiday event, please orTargetFieldEvents@TwinsBaseball.comcontact:call612-659-3870.
The MANOVA Summit was a big hit in October 2018, so much so that it’s returning to Minneapolis this October (page 22). It’s a big step toward Minnesota becoming a destination for medicalChristiemeetings.Altendorf and Meghan Gustafson, co-chairs of ILEA Live 2019 and subjects of our People Profile on page 48, are in the throes of planning the three-day annual event, which will take place at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis Aug. 8-10. This is the first time ILEA Live has chosen to return to a city. “People are taking us seriously as a destination,” Gustafson says. “We have some really unique opportunities here, and we want to show how much there is to do 365 days of the year.” At its 2019 Annual Meeting, Meet Minneapolis had positive tourism news and numbers to share. The overall hotel occupancy rate increased almost 3 percent, even with the addition of more than 1,400 new rooms between 2016 and 2018. And hotels continue to open in Minneapolis, with Canopy by Hilton Minneapolis Mill District and Emery opening this past April. Read more industry news starting on page 40.
Finally, thanks to everyone who attended Minnesota M+E Best of 2019 readers’ choice awards and to our event sponsors and partners (flip to page 46 to see photos from the event).
Morgan Halaska, editor MORGAN.HALASKA@TIGEROAK.COM
/MNMEETINGSMAGS @MNMEETINGSMAGS /MEETINGSMAGS /MEETINGSEVENTSMAGS EDITOR'S LETTER
“THERE’S A LOT GOING ON,” understates Bill Von Bank, director of marketing and commu nications for Rochester’s Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency. Von Bank is specifically referring to Rochester’s 20-year economic development initiative (page 27), but the statement applies to the entire local industry, as this issue of Minnesota M+E demonstrates.
Find, Friend, Follow Find us online at mn.meetingsmags.com, and make sure to “like” us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram to stay in the loop between issues.
6 MNM+E | SUMMER 2019 Return Business
MN.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 7 EDITOR Morgan Halaska SENIOR EDITOR Megan Gosch ASSOCIATE EDITOR Kassidy Tarala DIGITAL CONTENT EDITOR Julianna Fazio CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Anthony Diaz, Tiffany Rose Goodyear, Julie Kendrick, Josephine Werni, Sydney Wolf EDITORIAL INTERNS Taylor Hafner, Kendall Van Horne EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Christie Altendorf, D’Amico Catering • Jessica Elhard, University of St. Thomas Meghan Gustafson, MPLS Downtown Council • Devie Hagen, Élan Speakers Agency Staci Kvasnik, Boston Scientific • Jim Leighton • Amy Leyden, McNamara Alumni Center Jaimie Mattes, CMM, HelmsBriscoe • Jessica Miller, Jacki Brickman - Consulting • Connor Myhre, Heroic Productions Rosemarie Ndupuechi, 3E Productions LLC • Katie Numedahl CWT Meetings & Events • Monique Rochard-Marine CMM, CMP, CTSM, MBA, Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. • Lisa Schetinski, Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot Lindsey Schneider, MN Medical Association • Sean R. Schuette, CMP, Schuette on Duty Solutions LLC Lauren Segelbaum, Event Lab DESIGN DIRECTOR Courtney Nielsen ART DIRECTORS Traci Zellmann, Taylor Kilgore CREATIVE SERVICES COORDINATIOR Alex Kotlarek PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Dianne Talmage PROJECT COORDINATORS Brittni Dye, Samantha VanKempen CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Jeremy Wieland SUBSCRIPTION MARKETING SPECIALIST Emily O’Connell DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & EVENTS Lauren Madeja MARKETING & EVENTS COORDINATOR Jen McIlvaine CREDIT MANAGER April McCauley WEB DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Sandy Powell WEB ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Angela Beissel ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER– NATIONAL SALES Kathryn kathryn.olson@tigeroak.com612.787.3148Olson California Meetings + Events • 303.617.0548 Colorado Meetings + Events • 303.617.0548 Michigan Meetings + Events • 586.416.4195 Illinois Meetings + Events • 312.755.1133 Mountain Meetings • 303.617.0548 Northeast Meetings + Events • 586.416.4195 Northwest Meetings + Events • 253.732.7133 Texas Meetings + Events • 469.264.7657 Reprints: For high-quality reprints of 500 or more call 1-800-637-0334 or email reprints@tigeroak.com. For address changes, ordering single copies, cancellations, or general questions about your subscription please contact customer service at 1-800-637-0334 or customerservice@tigeroak.com Minnesota Meetings + Events accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or artwork; they will not be returned unless accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. TIGER OAK MEDIA PRESIDENT & CEO R. Craig Bednar CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Barb Steinhauser VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT Susan Isay DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & Jim Younger BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT 900 South Third St., Minneapolis, MN 55415 Phone: 612.548.3180 Fax: 612.548.3181 Published quarterly Minnesota Meetings + Events, Summer 2019 © 2019 Tiger Oak Media. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. SUMMER 2019 mn.meetingsmags.com Dear World— very impactful! Rachel Martin, former NPR national security correspondent and current host of NPR’s Morning Edition Sunday. I listeningenjoyedtoPamBortonspeak. Queer Eye’s Karamo Brown at PCMA LeadersEmerging2019favoriteWho’s“yourkeynotespeaker?” rivercentre.org COMMUNITY. IMPACT. Doing our part to bring people together.
CLOSE TO DOWNTOWN. FAR FROM ORDINARY. /discoverstlouispark @DiscoverSLP /discoverslp www.DiscoverStLouisPark.com 952-426-4047 ith exceptional food, shopping, hotels, and event space, we offer small town charm minutes from big city attractions. St. Louis Park and Golden Valley have a superb collection of unique venues to accommodate all your needs. Plus, we provide free customized services for stress-free planning and successful events. Meet, play and stay in Minnesota’s Sweet Spot. W
HIGH RISE: Greenery is always a welcome addition to any event space, but living walls are having a moment. Transform raw or blank spaces with floor-toceiling vertical gardens for a lush urban jungle aesthetic.
PRODUCTS, PLACES & INSPIRATION
GLOW UP: From cheeky custom messaging and unexpected ofcreatetakescolorfulphotoopportunitiesbrandingtoglowingbackdropsanduplighting,neoncenterstagetotheperfectpopcolor.
MN.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 9
Meeting Notes
TIPS FROM A PRO 16 MEETING MUNCHIES
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LLOYDNICKYSANTJE09,WACOMKA;JAKUS,GORANISTOCK.COM,PHOTOS: BUSINESS.PINTEREST.COM/EN/BLOG/100-PINTEREST-TRENDS-FOR-2019REPORT:FULL
PHOTOBOMB: For instant intrigue, smoke bombs are on the rise. Opt for a simple white haze to create an backdrop.forofeffectordramaticunexpectedmomenttailorthesmokeywithburstscolorfulplumesaplayfulphoto
ANTIDOTE:UNEXPECTEDWell-known for its medicinal qualities, the elderberry is your next new superfruit. With plenty of vitamin C, antioxidants and antiinflammatory qualities, this berry adds a healthy boost to meeting break smoothies, colorful salads and creative cocktails.
10 MNM+E | SUMMER 2019 PRODUCTS, PLACES & INSPIRATION
Get Connected P.S. STEAK psmpls.com | info@psmpls.com | 612.886.1620 INGREDIENTS: → 2 oz. London Dry Gin → 3/4 oz. raspberry syrup* → 3/4 oz. lemon juice → egg white → Angostura bitters DIRECTIONS: Place all ingredients into a shaker. Shake without ice. Add ice and shake hard. Double strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with three drops of
adds grains of paradise, rose and other botanicals to its syrup. Clover Club SIGNATURE DRINK »
510’s original chandeliers remain, but careful touches including the hand-picked décor and magnifying glasses at each candlelit table bring character to each cozy vignette. The light-filled front Lounge underwent a subtler transformation to match the building’s existing design. “We went for a timeless and classic look—bringing back twotone elements on walls and trim, adding cozy lounge furniture near the fireplace. We wanted the light and natural openness to be the stars of the space,” says Brent Frederick, owner of Jester Concepts.
510 Groveland, a historied address for Minneapolis fine dining as the former home of the iconic La Belle Vie, has officially been restored to its former glory with a fresh take on the classic steakhouse. P.S. Steak, the grandest project from Jester Concepts, has breathed new life into the space with a complete redesign and an alternative twist on the traditional steakhouse menu, all while incorporating nods to the building’s legendary predecessor. With the help of chef Mike DeCamp (La Belle Vie’s longtime chef de cuisine), the dining room’s white walls and museum-like atmosphere have been transformed by rich, dark booths, a newly built bar with studded seats and a Victorian hunting lodge ambience.
RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATION »
bitters. * P.S.
P.S. Steak transforms a historic space as a chef-curated steakhouse.
The result? A polished and glam but approachable space perfectly suited for formal dining or a casual cocktail. “It’s definitely a space where you can enjoy the full steakhouse experience, or you can come have a casual burger and fries and an amazing cocktail and still be in a beautiful space,” says Loren Hextall, event sales manager, Jester Concepts. With four private and semiprivate spaces and a seasonal menu with plenty of options made for sharing, P.S. Steak is also well-suited for groups. The Steakhouse Dining Room can be utilized as a semiprivate space for up to 16, reserved in full or combined with the Steakhouse Bar for larger groups. The Lounge can accommodate up to 33 guests, and the Den, a semiprivate space, seats up to 10. Guests will love dishes like the popular Denver steak, crab and avocado toast or the La Belle Vie Lamb Burger (a fan favorite revived in homage to the former eatery), marvel at the impressive Baked Alaska served tableside and appreciate a cocktail program that’s anything but traditional. Hand-crafted concoctions like the Clover Club (above) are sure to impress. Angostura Steak’s team
A Legendary Space Reborn
Attendees will need to hear from you before, during and after the event, so plan out a timeline of communication milestones to prospective and confirmed attendees. Your plan could include emails, text messages, phone calls, brochures or welcome packets, hotel room drops, social media interactions and more. Too often we collectively overlook the most important communication of all—the follow-up and call to action at the conclusion of the event. Don’t miss this critical step to encourage repeat attendance and motivate your audience around your objective.
1. CLEAR OBJECTIVE Attendees need to know what they’ll gain from the event, and speakers need to know what to prepare for. Once you determine the objective, run all decisions regarding the event through that filter: Do the chosen speakers and breakout session topics all contribute to achieving your event’s purpose?
BY SYDNEY WOLF ANY PLANNER KNOWS THAT RELIABLE WI-FI AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES ARE NECESSARY, but here are 10 equally crucial elements for executing successful meetings and events.
Your venue partner should allow you the ability to get creative and use their space uniquely. Whether it’s providing extra space for impromptu meetings or allowing outside catering in for a featured break or meal, find a venue that values your partnership and is willing to go the extra mile.
2. ENGAGING CONTENT AND SPEAKERS Depending on the scale (and budget) of your event, you may look at hiring professional speakers or training your internal speakers to connect better with your audience. Coaching sessions at the office in advance of taking the main stage are becoming more commonplace.
8. COMPREHENSIVE STAFFING PLAN
10. STRATEGIC PARTNERS TO HELP EVERY STEP OF THE WAY A strong strategic partner will help you keep all of these (and more!) top of mind as you plan. Going at it alone can be daunting—so don’t do it! metroConnections, for example, lives and breathes meetings and events, so we’re often able to anticipate things that could otherwise be unforeseen. Engage a partner with connections, expertise and experience to help achieve your objectives and make you look good.
Prep internal and external staff with preconference training to discuss minuteby-minute plans and the run-of-show to set and manage expectations, answer any potential questions and strategize for the “what if” moments. Define an on-site chain of command and set clear parameters for emergency protocol.
7. CREATIVE IMPLEMENTATIONTECHNOLOGY
As with most initiatives, having the bosses engaged with your event from the beginning makes the planning process easier. You’ll want to identify one or two event “champions” from your executive management team early on.
With so many innovative ways to engage attendees and enhance communication, it’s easy to add an impactful—and on-brand— splash with technology. From tossable microphones to interactive lighting designs, there are ways to leverage technology in nearly every corner of your space.
SYDNEY WOLF IS THE DIRECTOR OF SALES AT METROCONNECTIONS, THE MINNEAPOLIS-BASED LEADING PROVIDER OF CONFERENCE, EVENT, STAGE PRODUCTION AND TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR MEETING AND EVENT PLANNERS NATIONWIDE. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT INFO@METROCONNECTIONS.COM OR VISIT METROCONNECTIONS.COM.
6. FLEXIBLE VENUE PARTNER
5. BUY-IN FROM DECISIONMAKERS FROM THE BEGINNING
4. STRONG SPONSORS Who will support your brand, event objective and engaging content? Your trusted industry allies and friends. Think of your sponsors as partners; ideal partnerships are a two-way street. Make sure your expectations are set in advance with plenty of notice to ensure your partners have enough time to budget, strategize and react, and you can deliver on your end.
12 MNM+E | SUMMER 2019 PRODUCTS, PLACES & INSPIRATION EXPERT ADVICE » 10 THINGS ALL SUCCESSFUL MEETINGS AND EVENTS NEED
9. SOLID COMMUNICATIONATTENDEEPLAN
3. ON-BRAND VISUALS Registration websites, printed collateral, on-site signage and follow-up communications should all be cohesively designed. Appointing one team member as event brand manager can help ensure consistency. And don’t forget about branding external speaker elements as well—having a branded presentation deck available to outside speakers to drop in their content makes this a breeze.
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create, and discover in a variety of formal and informal venues. See
Grand View Lodge will take meetings to the next level with the opening of North, our new boutique hotel and conference center. Located on Grand View’s main grounds, the hotel will have beautiful views and provide an ambiance that is prime for learning and team building in a charming northwoods backdrop. 60 uniquely decorated hotel rooms four contemporary meeting your group will have an opportunity inspire, Grand View Lodge’s
latest addition designed specifically for your next meeting. It’s truly time to experience meetings differently at our iconic property. Unique Team Building Activities | Award-winning Culinary | Deluxe Accommodations Extraordinary Service | State-of-the-Art Meeting Rooms 800-368-1885 | grandviewlodge.com Experience Meetings Differently. OpeningJuly1st,2019
BIG THRILL FACTORY 952.698.7715bigthrillfactory.com
THROWINGAXEBADPHOTO:
MADDEN’S ON GULL LAKE info@maddens.commaddens.com/meetings-events VICTORIA BURROW burrow@victoriaburrow.comvictoriaburrow.com
THE ART OF THE SWING
Get Connected BAD AXE THROWING 888.435.0001badaxethrowing.com
PRODUCTS, PLACES & INSPIRATION
Ax throwing venues offer ample opportunities for thrillseeking groups. BY MEGAN GOSCH
Ax throwing is the newest addition to Big Thrill Factory’s slew of team-building attrac tions, with Bix Axes Hurling Halls found at Big Thrill’s Minnetonka and Oakdale loca tions. While trained experts can help guests hit the bull’s-eye in no time, those hoping to skip the hatchet hurling can delight in adven tures like laser tag, ropes courses and go-kart racing. With large meeting rooms, indoor and outdoor facilities, full A/V services and chef-driven special event menus, the Big Thrill team can easily accommodate groups of 10 to 1,000Minnesota’sguests. classic luxury resort has also added ax throwing to its extensive menu of team-building exercises. In addition to tug of war competitions, island golf and horse back riding activities, Madden’s on Gull Lake’s recreation director will introduce groups to the sport of ax throwing and conduct tourna ments for groups of up to 21 guests (divided across three teams of seven participants). Groups may visit Victoria Burrow for its ax throwing offerings but stay to try the outpost’s wide variety of games and entertainment and full menu that includes made-from-scratch bites and an extensive bar program. The desti nation works with corporate, social and teambuilding groups to provide a fully immer sive experience. Guests can meet in Victoria Burrow’s private event space (which seats up to 60 and is complete with A/V services, a large screen TV and lighting) then jump right into ax throwing, mini golf or a virtual reality experience while enjoying a homemade slice of pizza and craft cocktail served gameside.
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WHAT BETTER WAY TO LET OFF STEAM or bond with your team postmeeting than a good old-fashioned ax throwing competition? Revived with fresh enthusiasm and curiosity from ax masters and first-timers alike, the latest trend in team-building has made an old sport new again.
TEAM-BUILDING TREND »
W ith the opening of these four local out lets, groups have plenty of opportuni ties to try their hand at this popular pastime. With locations nationwide, Bad Axe Throwing opened its Minneapolis location (one of the company’s largest with 10 lanes) on April 2018. Guided by an experienced coach, groups of up to 200 can choose from a vari ety of challenging games to fit the occasion, including team-based tournaments guaran teed to keep guests on their toes and cheer ing. After a demonstration and review of ax throwing techniques, guests have a chance to practice before competition ensues and a final Axe Throwing Champion is revealed. Though Bad Axe doesn’t have dedicated meeting space, food, beer and wine will soon be available onsite for a celebratory round post-competition.
MN.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 15 CONTACT us! 10715 South Shore Drive Medicine Lake, MN 55441 @thehuttonhousewww.thehuttonhousemn.comhello@thehuttonhousemn.com952.470.0788 Hello Love Photography Hello Love Photography Hello Love Photography Flow Event GroupKokal PhotographyKelsey Heeter Photography The Hutton House is a premier, luxurious event venue located just minutes west of downtown Minneapolis - tucked away in an unexpected corner of Medicine Lake. Offering elegant surroundings, thoughtful planning and an impeccable level of personalized service, The Hutton House delivers a decidedly different experience. WE invite YOU TO EXPERIENCE A ALLMEMORABLEYOUROWN. celebration
TIPS FROM A PRO » MAKESCENTSSENSE
16 MNM+E | SUMMER 2019 PRODUCTS, PLACES & INSPIRATION
How to strategically use scent to enhance guest experience. BY TIFFANY ROSE GOODYEAR
As event professionals, we are constantly thinking about how to best stimulate our guests’ senses in order to create the most memorable and greatest impact and to reach event goals, whether it’s a wedding, corporate event fundraiser or social gathering. Many of us focus on only three of the five senses: taste, sight and sound. However, rarely do planners pay attention to touch or smell. It is my belief that strategically paying attention to scent can greatly impact the overall quality of an event.
Scent is often overlooked not only in the event world, but also in the world in general. Scent is important to the way in which human beings interpret their surroundings and create meaning every day. In fact, the sense of smell is the only sensory receptor that is fully devel oped at the time of birth. It is also the receptor that is most closely linked to memory. Our ability to taste is directly linked to smell. Our taste buds are chemoreceptors and have the ability to detect and distinguish chemicals; it is the aroma of food that brings the flavors to life. Scenting spaces is not something new. It has been used as a tool for creating sacred space for hundreds if not thousands of years. The ritualistic use of incense is an integral part of Catholic masses. This traces all the way back to the day of the Epiphany when the three kings reached baby Jesus; it is undisputed that two of the three gifts were scents, myrrh and frankincense, and both are derived from tree resin. In ancient Mesoamerica, indigenous COOL IDEA »
C’est Parfait
Get Connected MA JOLIE MARCHÉ MOBILE | majoliemarket.com | events@moliemarket.com CREATIVEEVERANDPHOTO:
While the market sells scarves, bags and other French-inspired products along with its fresh flowers on regular stops around town, the Ma Jolie team tends to stick to fresh blooms and flower crowns as guest party favors or thank-you gifts at events like grand openings, product launches or the perfect Coachella-esque accessory for events like the Basilica Block Party. Ma Jolie’s truck “Coco” can also be transformed as a unique photo backdrop or utilized to create an event staging area. “Guests can grab a glass of champagne on their way in and a swag bag on the way out, all propped up on the truck. We’ll also often work with clients to craft ‘talking points,’ so we’re providing that first and last guest touch point.” Ma Jolie Marché operates seasonally at outdoor events from April through October within a 20-30 minute radius of Minneapolis, but can be driven inside to accommodate intimate gatherings and large soirees year-round. Better yet? Abt will unveil an adorable pop-up flower shop and a flower bike cart for addi tional event options this summer.
MA JOLIE’S MOBILE MARKET BRINGS FRESH BLOOMS TO EVENTS BIG AND SMALL.
The fact of the matter is that events are scented, whether you are planning it out or not. Strategically scenting an event space can become another instrument in your toolbox.
Filled to the brim with fresh cut flowers, scarves and other French-inspired bits and baubles, the charm of Ma Jolie Marché’s vintage Volkswagen truck proves irresistible to passersby. Armed with buildyour-own bouquets and flower crowns, guests beam as they snap pics beside the tres chic striped awning. The city’s first mobile market has brought a little taste of Paris to another local fete. Inspired by the French aesthetic, affinity for beautifully designed prod ucts and love for flowers, founder Amy Abt worked closely with the City of Minneapolis to create a first-of-its-kind permit for her mobile market. Ma Jolie’s flower truck now pops up at local events and brings a certain je ne sais quoi to private parties. “[Ma Jolie] creates that special surprise-and-delight factor for events—that little extra something that guests can participate in and makes them feel like part of the event,” says Abt. “Ma Jolie checks all those boxes because it’s inter active, stunning and brings so much joy.”
MN.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 17 tribes used a resin from the cabal tree as part of their rituals to create sacred space. The reason it’s important to think about scenting your selected venue is because the space is already scented. Either the space has its own distinct aroma, which is not always pleasing, or you are bringing in scents through flowers and food. While most people love to stop and smell the roses and salivate from the succulent wafts drifting out of the caterer’s tent, there are more ways and reasons to scent. Much of the scent industry is based on neutralizing offensive odors. This can be a useful tool when thinking about bathrooms for your events. Bringing a candle or small reed diffuser into these intimate areas can create positive experiences for guests. Another way to bring scent into an event is to strategically pair the scent to match the theme. If you have the opportunity to add a scent, make sure to do so in an area that is separate from other smells or pairs with them. Choose scents the same way you choose other event elements and weave them into the theme, overall look, décor and personalization for the client. Remember that all spaces and events have a distinct smell and that you have the ability to alter the aroma to elevate your guests’ experience. Get Connected THESENTOLOGIST.COM 202.812.1218trgoodyear@gmail.com TIFFANY ROSE GOODYEAR IS A LEADING EXPERT IN SENSORY EXPERIENCE MARKETING CREATING BRANDED EXPERIENCES BY EMPHASIZING TOUCH, TASTE AND SMELL. SHE IS BASED IN DENVER AND HER SERVICES TO CREATE CUSTOM SCENTS FOR EVENTS ARE AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE. 612.777.8732 | sales@usbankstadium.com | www.usbankstadium.com AN MA NAG ED FA CILI TY PLAN YOUR NEXT EVENT IN A STADIUM DESIGNED WITH YOUR GUESTS IN MIND BUILT FOR BOLD MINNESOTA’S PREMIER EVENT SPACE
PRODUCTS, PLACES & INSPIRATION ISTOCK.COM/PEOPLEIMAGESCANDY;COTTONCONFECTIONPHOTOS:What does your event smell like? www.thesentologist.com AT your FINGERTIPS. --- CALENDAR EVENTS ----- LATEST INDUSTRY NEWS ----- PEOPLE NEWS ----- BI-MONTHLY UPDATES --SUBSCRIBE for FREE at MEETINGSMAGS.COM OUR E-NEWSLETTER
BY MEGAN GOSCH S arah Kubler never meant to start her own business, but an affinity for fluffy treats runs in the Growingfamily.up,Kubler helped her father spin clouds of cotton candy at fairs far and wide (a profession he shared with his own father). When he later retired, she inherited his cotton candy machine and set out to put her own spin on the classic treat. “I knew I wanted to go in a different direction from the fair image with a more clean, modern look. I want adults to enjoy my favorite treat as much as kids do and share that in a cool, hip way,” says Kubler. Now, with three machines of her own and a charming handbuilt confection cart, Kubler is serving up custom creations at events and private parties of all Fromkinds.cotton candy-topped cones and champagne glasses to color-coordinated treats for social celebrations or custom party favors for corporate gatherings, the Confection Cotton Candy team offers a wide array of mouthwatering options and plenty of eye candy. “We’re here to sweeten up the party day fun and flavorful. not making basic fair fluff pink and blue
your
MEETING MUNCHIES »
We’re
18 MNM+E | SUMMER 2019
and make your
Homespun Confection Cotton Candy brings fluffy treats to events for all ages.
MN.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 19 sugar clouds. Our options are limitless and we’re always up for a challenge,” says Kubler. There are 21 flavors (and counting), including organic options like champagne, green tea and marshmallow, and toppings like rainbow sprinkles, rock candy and edible glitter. The Confection Cotton Candy team can curate flavors, toppings and packaging to match event themes, décor and more. Cart service is available for up to three hours and Kubler regularly works with events in Hudson, Wisconsin, and the Twin Cities area, but the Confection Cotton Candy team can travel to accommodate most local events. Luckily, planners hosting events outside of Twin Cities metro can always order the confections online. Mix-and-match fluff boxes or custom air-sealed mini and regular bags can be ordered for special event party favors or make for a unique, freshly spun gift. Get Connected CONFECTION COTTON CANDY confectioncottoncandy@yahoo.comconfectioncottoncandy.com
Dani Erickson of Studio Fleurette creat ed rich Parisian-style floral arrangements of lush powder pink and fuchsia garden roses, complemented by lavender orchids for the longer tables. All roses were arranged in Crate & Barrel’s silver rimmed Pryce Collection vases. The Charlotte Silver stemware and Capri Flatware collections from Après Event Dècor & Tent Rental completed the look. The flatware’s sleek design and finish brought a bit of modernity for a look that almost always has traditional detail.
20 MNM+E | SUMMER 2019 KANJASONPHOTOS:
Kelli Hall of Atlanta designed place cards with bold botanicals while local calligrapher Rosann Konieczny finished them with a slate
TABLESCAPE MN OPERA GALA
ELEGANCEFRENCHCLASSIC
The team—comprised of the MNOP Gala Planning Committee led by event chair Mary Lazarus, myself (event designer Anthony Diaz) and the MN Opera Production team—mixed classic French elegance with whimsical touch es. The event transported 250 guests from The Saint Paul Hotel’s Promenade Ballroom to the French Riviera, allowing them to experience the region’s profound beauty. Synthetic grass covered the entire ballroom floor while guests took notice of the traditional gold Napoleon chair, a staple in French formal dining. Guests were seated at glamorous tables placed with Monique Lhuillier Waterford Etoile Dinnerware collection in Platinum, supplied locally through Ultimate Events in Plymouth. All tables were lined with La Tavola’s Chelsea Linens that featured woven polka dots and were topped with pink velvet napkins.
The Minnesota Opera 2018 Season Gala takes design inspiration from its opening show. BY ANTHONY DIAZ “LA RONDINE”—an operatic celebration of the Parisian fashion and architecture of the 1920s with romantic scenes set in Parisian salons and lavish Mediterranean villas—opened the 2018-19 Min nesota Opera season, providing inspiration for the highly fashion able and ultra-chic Minnesota Opera Gala.
Get Connected Calligraphy: ROSANN KONIECZNY CALLIGRAPHER rosannkcalligrapher.com Design: ANTHONY & STORK | anthonyandstork.com Dinnerware: MONIQUE LHUILLIER COLLECTION Ultimate Events | ue-mn.com Drapery: QUEST EVENTS | questevents.com Floral: STUDIO FLEURETTE | studiofleurette.com Menu, Table Numbers & Place Cards: MINTED | minted.com Photography: KAN PHOTOGRAPHY | kanphotography.com Stemware & Flatware: APRÈS EVENT DÈCOR & TENT RENTAL apresevents.com Table Linen & Napkins: LA TAVOLA FINE LINEN | latavolalinen.com Venue & Catering: THE SAINT PAUL HOTEL | saintpaulhotel.com
MN.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 21 gray ink. Lauren Chism of Dallas designed table numbers and menu cards. The culinary team at The Saint Paul Hotel did a phenomenal job curating a decadent menu to fit the overall aesthetic. Executive chef Lance Kapps constructed an opulent wild mushroom terrine with arugula and pink rad ishes, while pastry chef Sara Smart Cromett crafted mini croquembouche towers, pink macarons, blush truffles and pâte de fruit. As WCCO’s Frank Vascellaro kicked off the evening, Mary Schrock, former PACER execu tive, observed, “Wow, for a second I almost forgot we were in St. Paul!”
ANTHONY DIAZ is the owner and creative director of the Minneapolisbased event planning and design firm, Anthony & Stork, and the associate events director of Minnesota Opera. Bridging the worlds of art, fashion and industrial design, Anthony’s work is known for its modern glamour, imagination and curatorial vision.
On Nov. 22, 2017, Minnesota lost the bid for the 2023 World’s Fair to Ar gentina. Former Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie and his Expo 2023 bid committee were especially intent on bringing this World’s Fair to Minnesota because of the event’s proposed theme: health and wellness.
BY JOSEPHINE WERNI
MANOVA SUMMIT
Tunheim, Addicks and Wierson finalized their idea for the first MANOVA Summit in early April 2018 and decided it would take place on Oct. 8, 2018 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. In only six months, the team pulled together a universal health convention that drew 1,100 attendees, some of which had flown in from the far corners of the globe. Conversation topics ranged from access and affordability to nutrition and the politics of health care. Right: Mark Addicks, CEO of 2023 Partners
What the North Star State lacks in market ing budgets and celebrity status, it makes up for in an undeniably impressive repertoire of health care institutions and technologies. Mayo Clinic, Medtronic, the internal pace maker and MinuteClinics are only a few of the contributions Minnesota has made to the world of health care. “It isn’t just health care either. We’ve got an ecosystem around health—our food, our water, our outdoors—the way Minnesotans think about health really resonated with a lot of people while we were doing that work,” says Kathy Tunheim, partner in 2023 Partners, the producing partner of MANOVA, and founder and CEO of public relations consulting firm Tunheim Partners. The bid, though ultimately unsuccess ful, gathered a momentum and collection of resources that many committee members felt was too valuable to ignore. Tunheim, Mark Addicks, CEO of 2023 Partners, and Arick Wierson, partner in 2023 Partners, set to work planning a new health and wellness event for Minnesota—one that would aim to capture the broadest possible definition of health and bring consumers into the conversation.
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EVENT PROFILE MANOVA SUMMIT
The global health and wellness convention that put Minnesota on the map as a destination for medical meetings is coming back for round two this October.
SOME MAY BE SURPRISED TO HEAR that the young, ambitious and largely successful MANOVA Summit was born from a defeat.
MN.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 23
The summit boasted a hefty lineup of speakers, interactive sessions and networking opportunities. Conversation topics ranged from access and affordability to nutrition and the politics of health care. According to Tunheim, it was immediately evident after the first summit that MANOVA would return for many years to come. “I joke that I’m old enough to have gone to some of the early SXSW conferences in Texas, and Mark Addicks is actually originally from Austin. So we both had an understanding of what happened there—how it started and how it’s evolved,” Tunheim says. “A lot of our thinking was how to create that kind of vibe, except focused on a really broad and really global definition of health.”
The first thing 2023 Partners did postMANOVA 2018 was ask every single attendee for their feedback. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with most guests saying they would attend the event again. They also indicated that while they enjoyed the array
Get Connected MANOVA SUMMIT manovasummit.com
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“For a city of our size to have that sort of brainpower and firepower in the medical field is pretty unique,” says Hermiston. “We are competing against the San Franciscoes of the world, and the New Yorks and the Bostons. Some of those more traditional, ‘sexier,’ firsttier cities, you know. But there’s a great story to tell here in Minneapolis.”
While Minneapolis has a great story to tell, it has fewer resources to tell it than with other larger cities, Hermiston explains. Therefore, having a well-known, non-Minnesotan presenting partner like Walmart is extremely advantageous for MANOVA. Both the MANOVA and Meet Minneapolis teams were thrilled when the multinational retail corporation offered its support to the summit. They feel that a partnership with a global, consumer-oriented company like Walmart speaks to one of the fundamental themes of the conference: bringing health and wellness to the consumer level. “How are we going to make this field, which is very complex, bureaucratic and layered, to the consumer level in a fashion that makes sense? Companies like Walmart see that moving forward and they think, ‘I want to be a part of that,’” Hermiston says. As both a large employer and a company that has stores in communities all over the country, Walmart understands how much innovation is needed in this space, particularly at the consumer level. Too often, consumers leave their interactions with the health and wellness realm feeling like a number. A key component of MANOVA’s global health and wellness thesis is the implementation of more personalized health care plans for consumers. The MANOVA team hopes to show people how much control they actually have over the future of health by bringing them into conversations with businesses and other economic players.
EVENT PROFILE MANOVA SUMMIT
24 MNM+E | SUMMER 2019 of speakers, they would have preferred more chances to network and thoroughly examine certain“Onetopics.ofthe things that we’ll do in year two is build opportunities for both deeper dives on certain topics and for more space in between for all of these people, many of whom have never met before, to share stories and talk informally,” Tunheim says. Additionally, the MANOVA team intends to focus much more on the overall experience of visiting Minnesota for participants coming from out of state and beyond in 2019 by planning plenty of interesting events outside of the conference. This is where Meet Minneapolis, which is connected to MANOVA via founding partner Medical Alley Association, comes in. Nathan Hermiston, senior director of destination and sales for Meet Minneapolis, views the success of the MANOVA Summit as a huge step toward making Minnesota a premier destination for medical meetings.
Former Governor Mark Dayton speaks
“The current model they have is not sustainable. How does the health and medical field become more sustainable for consumers?” Hermiston says. “Not for business, but for consumers in the future moving forward. That’s a question MANOVA’s trying to answer.”
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ISTOCK.OM/OGPHOTOPHOTO: RochesterRevisitingRochester MN.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 27 Minnesota’s third-largest city is five years into its economic development initiative— Destination Medical Center. BY JULIE KENDRICK ISTOCK.COM/OGPHOTOPHOTO:
AB-PHOTOGRAPHY;PHOTOS: PHOTOGRAPHYPIXELSINTIME(OPPOSITE)
Rochester skyline
With the global headquarters of the Mayo Clinic right in downtown, Rochester has long been an attraction for international medical travelers. The city, which is a quick 90-minute shuttle ride from Minneapolis, has its own high-powered air connections, with an international airport that flies directly to Atlanta, Minneapolis and Chicago (and sees plenty of private jet traffic, too). “We are so easy to get to,” says Mary Gastner, interim executive director and director of marketing and communications of Experience Rochester MN. Once you get there, you’re in for a surprise because these days, Rochester’s only constant is change. “Even if you were here a year ago, it’s a place with plenty for you to rediscover,” Gastner says.
The DMC is the largest public-private economic initiative in Minnesota and the catalyst for growth in Rochester. “It’s going to position us as a global center for health, wellness and medical innovation,” Von Bank says. And while it will be providing many new amenities to the health care providers and patients who gather at Mayo Clinic, the plan includes a multitude of projects that strengthen the city’s reputation as an excellent midsized convention gathering. Beginning with the opening of several projects this summer, the city is poised to offer meeting and conference attendees a robust variety of places to dine, exercise, shop and be entertained.
Planner’s Paradise
You can say that again—and again and again. Von Bank is on the team that’s leading Rochester’s $5.6 billion economic development initiative, called Destination Medical Center (DMC)—a 20-year plan that kicked off with work on a number of fronts, including Discovery Square (a 16-block subdistrict built in collaboration with Mayo Clinic in a highly connected urban life science hub) and Heart of the City (a subdistrict that’s focused on becoming a vibrant, community-centric destination).Fiveyears in and results are starting to rise—literally—all over town as those giant scissors are snipping ribbons, indicating the openings of hotels, restaurants, meeting spaces and more.
Bill Von Bank is going to be seeing a lot of giant pairs of scissors this year. The director of marketing and communications for Rochester’s Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency has nine ribbon cuttings for new area developments on his calendar and more are on the way. “There’s a lot going on,” he says.
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3.34 million 1.3 million115,00060,00029790Bythe Numbers
Rooms Galore “Just within the 1 square mile of the DMC, there are already 600 new hotel rooms in development in the DMC district,” Von Bank says. The 605-room Kahler Grand is currently undergoing a $30 million renovation. The property’s marketing manager, Matt Elliott, says: “We offer great flexibility for gathering spaces with everything from small board meeting rooms to our large ballroom, Heritage Hall, which accommodates 400 or more.”
Mayo
After a major expansion in 2017, the Mayo Civic Center, the largest event facility in southern Minnesota, now has 200,000 available square feet of multiuse space for conventions and events. It’s accessible to downtown hotels, restaurants, parking and shopping through climate-controlled skyways. In addition to the convention center, the floor plan includes versatile venue spaces like the Arena, Auditorium and Dr. Charles H. Mayo Presentation Hall, as well as a 25,200-square-foot Exhibit Hall. “The center has state-of-the-art technology and an exceptional level of professional service,” Gastner says. “Our Mayo Civic Center Ballroom is already the largest in the state, with capacity up to 4,000 guests,” she adds. “Our ideal group is averaging about 1,200 attendees and 500 room nights.”
Ready to Eat? Hungry meeting attendees will have more options than ever, thanks to a booming restaurant scene. “We learned through our market demand studies that now that we’ve created the density in the DMC, it’s time to pivot and look at retail, dining and entertainment options,” Von Bank says. “We already have a cool dining scene, with independent places like Bleu Duck Kitchen [seasonal New American dishes overnight visitors in 2017 patients treated at Mayo populationannually of Rochester total staff of Mayo Clinic events hosted at Mayo Civic Center in 2017 miles MinneapolisRochesterbetweenand Civic Center
Another renovation on the way is the transformation of the 173-room downtown Holiday Inn into a Hotel Indigo, a boutique hotel concept owned by InterContinental Hotels Group. New properties include the 264-room Hilton Rochester Mayo Clinic Area, which offers some serious luxury in the heart of downtown Rochester. “Three floors of guest rooms offer premium services, including an executive lounge with daily breakfast and evening hors d’oeuvres and cocktails,” says Marketing Manager Michelle Milde. Just seven VIP luxury suites occupy the entire 19th floor, which has its own concierge lounge. “It’s for distinguished travelers requesting additional privacy, security and luxury,” Milde says. Meeting capacity includes two large ballrooms, an outdoor reception terrace and three configurable breakout rooms; read more on page 43.
There’s also the Elizabethan Room, which was the original ballroom when the property was built in 1921. “It’s warm, classic and historic— just a great space.”
MN.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 29
Civic Center
The city, which sits in the valley of the Zumbro River, is surrounded by 3,500 acres of parkland. Natural beauty—and new adventures— Cameo at the Castle
Ohly says his staff’s philosophy is, “Yes is the answer. What is the question?” and he notes that “complete guest satisfaction is what we strive for, and we will customize menus, offerings, style of service and décor to fit the needs of the guest.”
“Our restaurant is quickly cementing itself as a destination because we have the ability to give our guests such a wide range of experiences,” says Zach Ohly, owner and operator. “The ambience in our dining room is the best in town, with industrial chic décor and plenty of views of our open kitchen.”
Chateau Returns
Fine dining options abound in Rochester, including the pretty-big-deal arrival of the new chef in town—2017 James Beard Award Winner Best Chef: Midwest, Paul Berglund. A former head chef of The Bachelor Farmer, Berglund joined Fiddlehead Coffee Co. as culinary and sustainability director, helping lead its planned transformation from coffee shop into world-class coffee and culinary destination.
The DMC has invested in significant upgrades to the historic property and intends to rent the venue for concerts, lectures, dinners, luncheons and other activities. It is currently reviewing several proposals from management companies on the best ways to utilize the space.
“Our focus this year is to add to the great dining scene we already have,” he continues. “And we’ve attracted our first Parasole concept, a Pittsburgh Blue in the new [Hilton Rochester Mayo Clinic Area].” Pittsburgh Blue, which has two locations in the Twin Cities, describes itself as “a classy chophouse featuring hand-cut steaks and seafood.”
30 MNM+E | SUMMER 2019 served in an upscale-casual space with a full bar and an industrial vibe], Porch & Cellar [above, a family-style setting with ‘proper fried chicken;’ below, a funky cocktails-and-apps gathering spot] and Hot Chip Burger Bar [an upscale burger bar that promises ‘the comfort of your favorite hometown hang’].
PHOTOGRAPHYAB(OPPOSITE)BACON;SCOTTPHOTOS:
The space works well for private events. “The lounge is perfect for a cocktail party with hors d’oeuvres or an informal gathering of up to 35 people, while our private dining room can accommodate dinner and presentations for 28 guests in a beautiful space complete with A/V, its own sound system, private entrances and more.” Compete buyouts of the venue also are available.
The downtown landmark, which can accommodate up to 390 people, features castle-like décor and an interior decorated as a medieval village, with built-in balconies, towers and a night-sky ceiling. It’s been called “Minnesota’s ‘last and best example of atmospheric theater’” by The Preservation Alliance of Minnesota.
Cameo at the Castle The Castle Community is the new name for the renovated Rochester Armory, a brick Romanesque Revival building with a castlelike parapet. In addition to fun features like collaborative artists’ spaces, Queen City coffee shop, used book and record stores and multiuse meeting space on the second floor, it’s also home to a new upscale restaurant, Cameo at the Castle, which describes itself as “influenced by cultures from around the world, while still having the Midwest flair we have all come to love.”
A beloved landmark will have a new lease on life this summer, when the Chateau Theatre, which has formerly been a vaudeville house, movie house and bookstore, will again be open for events. “It was originally built in 1927 and it’s really a gorgeous space,” Von Bank says.
Out and About
Get Connected CAMEO AT THE CASTLE cameoatthecastle.com | 507.361.2070 CASTLE COMMUNITY castlecommunity.org | 507.218.7214 CHATEAU THEATRE chateau-theatredowntownrochestermn.com/go/historicDESTINATION MEDICAL CENTER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY dmc.mn | 507.216.9720 EXPERIENCE ROCHESTER MN experiencerochestermn.com | 507.288.4331 FIDDLEHEAD COFFEE CO. fiddleheadcoffee.co | 612.839.1685 HILTON ROCHESTER MAYO CLINIC AREA 877.214.6722rochestermayoclinicarea.hilton.com HOTEL INDIGO hotelindigo.com | 800.439.4745 KAHLER GRAND HOTEL thekahlerhotel.com | 507.280.6200 MAYO CIVIC CENTER mayociviccenter.com | 507.328.2220 PITTSBURGH BLUE pittsburghbluesteak.com are easily accessible. “Not only is Rochester a great place on its own, but it’s also a hub for exploring the rest of southeastern Minnesota,” Von Bank says. “With us as the hub, participants can ‘spoke’ out to Red Wing, Lanesboro and other nearby towns. This is a beautiful part of the state, which is sometimes unappreciated, but a stay in Rochester is a perfect launching pad for further exploration.”
Hospitality Plus
Getting Around Rochester has always been known for making it simple for visitors to get around. “Just about every hotel and restaurant has a shuttle, so always ask about it if you don’t know in advance,” says Gastner. She also mentions plans for a “transport circulator,” a transit bus that will connect the downtown core to Mayo’s Saint Marys campus. “It will be very easy to jump on the circulator to get from one side of town to the other,” she says. The city, which has long been known for its walkability, has both a skyway system and an underground pedestrian subway, both of which feature retail shopping, coffee shops andAsmore.easy as it is to get around by shuttle or foot, there now are plans to make it just as easy to traverse town by bicycle. “We have a 100-mile bike system all around the city, but right now it doesn’t come into downtown,” Von Bank says. “As part of the DMC’s overall transportation plan, we’re working now to extend that system.” Work on bike lanes is already underway, and Von Bank says that a “world-class urban trail” will soon become part of Rochester visitors’ experiences. A seasonal bike-sharing system is already in place.
Thursdays & Festival market
on First
As the Mayo Clinic and the city have grown up side by side, generations of Rochester residents have grown accustomed to playing host to people from all over the world—often people who are experiencing some challenging times in their own lives or the lives of their loved ones. People here understand how much a little something extra—a smile, helping hand or easy-to-find information—can make a difference in a person’s day. And that’s what they deliver, time after time. “Our surveys tell us that our levels of hospitality are second to none,” Gastner says. “We are known worldwide for our exceptional levels of care. We hear over and over again, ‘I feel like I’m being taken care of wherever I go here.’”
in the summer. MN.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 31
3rd Summer Market & Music
is a weekly outdoor
Whatever your vision, you’ll find the perfect space for it in Chicago Northwest. From amenity-rich meeting rooms to the 97,200 square foot Schaumburg Convention Center, which can handle the most elaborate trade show displays. Accessible. Affordable. Remarkably enjoyable. And so close to O’Hare and downtown Chicago. Give yourself an edge at ChicagoNorthwest.com or 800-847-4849. Over 1,000 Daily Direct Flights | 10,000+ Hotel Rooms | Over 400 Restaurants GIVE YOURSELF AN EDGE More than enoughcolumn-free space NOW THAT'S AN EDGE
MN.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 33 #eastsidempls@MeganGosch&@MorganHalaska Instagra ableMinnesota has a bounty of venues that are made for sharing on social media.
Grand
CATERINGD’AMICO(OPPOSITE)NADEAU;RACHELPHOTOS:Café (rows 1-3) Eastside (rows 4-5)
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boast stunning food, drinks, glassware, décor and backdrops.
and
ASHERY LANE FARM 15 minutes west of Minnetonka
Photo-Worthy Features: In 2017, this beloved 70-year-old eatery in the Kingfield neighborhood underwent a complete transformation and emerged as the bright and charming jewel box French bistro Instagram influencers dream of. From the pink-hued walls, hand-painted wallpaper, lush greenery and tropical mural to the 1920s Parisian zinc top bar, art deco-shaped booths and brass accents, every detail was designed to delight. Vintage champagne buckets, elegant rolling marble carts and a sweet collection of mismatched tableware join bird-footed egg cups and cheeseburgers served on decadent scalloped silver trays in a playful mix of classic and modern flair. Whimsical dog portraits pay homage to the owner’s Italian greyhounds while touches like the showpiece bakery window incorporate nods to the restaurant’s past (the space was once home to a bakery). The masterful kitchen, helmed by James Beard finalist chef and owner Jamie Malone, also serves up a mix of new and old French clas sics, including dry-aged Côte de Boeuf with potato salad and onion rings and milk chocolate Pot de Crème, that are as delightful to cap ture as they are to eat. The Details: Grand Café’s private dining room can accommodate up to 25 guests seated, with full restaurant buyouts available for up to 80 guests. Event menus can be customized, and while the eatery is most popular with special events and personal parties, the space is also an ideal fit for receptions, rehearsal dinners, corporate dinners and holiday parties.
MN.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 35 GRAND CAFÉ
EASTSIDE eastsidempls.comevents@eastsidempls.com@eastsidemplsDowntownMinneapolis
Photo-Worthy Features: Bringing fresh buzz to Minneapolis’ Downtown East district, Eastside is sleek, fun and full of energy. Floor-to-ceiling windows and an abundance of natural light strike the perfect balance with Eastside’s luxe dark seating and stunning black and white tile work. Lush greenery, eclectic artwork, and details like the brass winged lions adorning the bar all add a touch of opulence, while the breezy streetside patio strung with café lights creates a relaxed yet upscale ambience. Many of the expertly crafted dishes, like the whole wood roasted duck or the grilled bass with pork cheek and brown butter vinaigrette, are served family-style and—paired with black marble Lazy Susans— make for fun and relaxed group dining. But no trip to Eastside is com plete without an order of the Bonal Spritz. Made to share, the cocktail served in a golden swan is the perfect complement to the eatery’s tongue-in-cheek meets glam aesthetic and a reason in and of itself to get a group together. The Details: Eastside’s private dining space can accommodate up to 28 guests for a seated dinner and up to 35 guests for cocktail receptions. Full buy outs are available to accommodate up to 160 guests. Already a popu lar spot for corporate dinners, the space is also well-suited for special occasions and social gatherings.
Photo-Worthy Features: Natural beauty is found year-round at Ashery Lane Farm, with apple blossoms blooming in spring, lush vineyards in summer, apple harvesting in fall and snow-covered rolling hills in winter. As such, beautiful photos come naturally here. Verdant greenery, wreaths, lush florals and rich tablescapes with mixed metallics tend to complement and enhance the rustic luxe aesthetic best. And, being a barn, llamas have been known to join the party.
Southevents@grandcafemn.comgrandcafemn.com@grandcafe_mplsMinneapolis
Ashery Lane’s hallmark feature are the 13-feet tall, cathedralstyle, cardinal red doors on the Grand Barn.
D’Amico chefs and event planners create photographable culi nary experiences, too. S’mores stations around the large fire pits and opulent farm tables filled with local cheeses, cured meats and hyper-local ingredients like apples from the orchard all make for Insta-worthy moments.
The Details: Ashery Lane Farm is ideal for a wide variety of events, includ ing corporate retreats and celebrations, company picnics, family reunions, makers markets and holiday parties. There are two buildings on the property: Harvest Hall can accommodate 120 for a seated meal or 200 for a reception, and The Grand Barn can accommodate 300 for a seated meal or 350 reception-style. Both spaces can also be set in theater-style, accommodating up to 350 612.238.4444damicocatering.com/venues/ashery-lane-farmsguests.@ashery_lane
Photo-Worthy Features: Lora is a combination of several buildings from different time periods; rather than demolish everything and start from scratch, the hotel was built using the existing elements. The result is a mix of materials and juxtaposition of the old and new. Many of Lora’s 40 guest rooms feature the original limestone wall. A jagged wall acts as the focal point in The Long Goodbye; the wall wasn’t part of the original plan, but the designers, who recognized its unique beauty during demolition, decided to keep it.
The Details: Penny’s Downtown can accommodate 50 guests, and the Linden Hills location can hold up to 100. Each room has a two-hour minimum rental and includes complimentary bottled water, drip coffee and tea. Any specialty coffee or food items ordered from the café come with a 15 percent discount. The conference rooms come equipped with large televisions and Apple TV for screen mirroring purposes.
SADDLENYLONPAIKKA,(OPPOSITE)LORA;CARLSON;TATEPHOTOS: ASCANIOSARAHPHOTOGRPAHY, #findlora
The Details: The Cave Room accommodates 40 people seated or 60 cocktail-style, and the Moon Room, a private space in The Long Goodbye, holds 16; the space was once used for horse and carriage deliveries. The outdoor patio can be used for a yoga session or an outdoor cocktail gathering in the summer. In the winter, there’s a fire pit for people to gather around and drink hot toddies. The Empire Suite, which has an outdoor space, is ideal for intimate gatherings.
36 MNM+E | SUMMER 2019 PENNY’S Downtown Minneapolis & Linden Hills LORA lorahotel.com 651.571.3500 @lora_hotel Stillwater, on the banks of the St. Croix River
Photo-Worthy Features: Built around the concept of coffee, conversation and community, Penny’s serves artisanal roasted coffees and teas alongside an all-day menu of house-made sweet and savory crepes, fresh baked goods, salads and sandwiches.
people@pennyscoffee.compennyscoffee.com@pennyscoffee_
The adjacent limestone caves housed a brewery 150 years ago. The Cave Room, Feller’s private dining room, features “fairy tale doors” that mark the entrance to the caves. Feller has many photogenic dishes including chef Sam’s pot pie, the Feller burger, the Belgian waffle, the Smoked Trout BLT and the Harvest Salad.
The downtown café, located on the first floor of the Minoru Yamasaki-designed 100 Washington Square, fea tures a roomy walnut bar, polished green marble and drop lights hanging from 40-foot ceilings. The Linden Hills location on West 44th boasts an airy, stylish space accented with exposed brick, lush greenery, a communal table and large glass garage doors that are open during the summer months.
#paikkamn
PAIKKA Vandaliahello@paikkamn.compaikkamn.com@paikkamn|#paikkamnTower,St.Paul
Photo-Worthy Features: Nestled within St. Paul’s turn-of-thecentury Vandalia Tower complex (formerly the King Koil mattress factory), PAIKKA’s fresh, modern event space is surrounded by creative entrepreneurs, local makers and plenty of installation eye candy. Original brick walls, 1940s steel-vaulted ceilings and an abundance of natural light set the stage for creativity to flow inside while paned garage doors, café lights and a clean, minimalistic landscape of the adja cent courtyard space create a charming backdrop for outdoor celebrations. Unexpected touches like the rolling vertical garden walls (designed and cre ated by the PAIKKA team), a selection of custom art and the inclusion of an original hand painted “wall paper” motif by local duo She She bring a thoughtfully curated atmosphere to the industrial space. But the venue’s most photogenic hallmark may be the eye-catching custom hummingbird mural painted on the 9-foot antique hang ing doors that separate the space’s Gold and Pink Rooms.
The Details: Combined, PAIKKA’s Gold and Pink rooms can accommodate up to 200 seated guests and up to 275 for a cocktail reception. Amenities like the custom-built mobile bar, staging kitchen and a lounge area outfitted with modern and vintage furniture are major perks, but the womenowned venue’s small, dedicated staff with a strong value for customization is also an incredible asset. Flexibility in selecting elements from catering and bar service to event type or floor plan layout ensures each event in the space will feel truly unique.
MN.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 37
1. EMOTIONAL Intelligence Designing with the end-user in mind
[‘The Future of Meetings & Events’] brings a real-world and provocative lens to where planners, attendees and suppliers will be heading in the years to come,” says Tammy Routh, senior vice president for global sales at Marriott International. Download the full report at pd.pcma.org/FutureTrends2019.
WHAT ATTENDEES WANT New study identifies five macro-trends that will impact the future of meetings and events. Research courtesy of PCMA Foundation and InternationalMarriott
Meetings and events will need to move past reactive adjustments to adopt a proactive approach to personalized experiences, understanding the needs of participants before they arrive. At meetings and events, participants can no longer be treated as a homogeneous crowd or a series of behavioral data points, but instead must be recognized as an individual, understood on a deeper emotional level, and treated accordingly.
2. ORCHESTRATED Serendipity Engineering and embracing the unexpected for more meaningful moments Experiences must embrace freedom and surprise, freeing consumers from the constant constraint of schedules or agendas. By embracing the unexpected, we can engage participants and leave a lasting impression.
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“THE MEETINGS AND EVENTS industry’s future is being shaped by so many factors—from people’s desire to be part of a broader community to their expectations when they travel.
“There’s that whole concept of ‘sweatworking’—like SoulCycle—let’s arrange a workout in the morning that fosters some serendipitous connection. That’s how you end up meeting people that you wouldn’t normally meet. I like those things where people who are organizing these structured events are actually thinking beyond the event itself. What will people do outside of our programming? How can we structure that? The point of this whole event is to create these human collisions.” —Amy Blackman, senior advisor, A Hundred Years SUPPORTING SUB-TRENDS: Create Human Collisions Leverage Context Embrace Natural Serendipity Deprioritize Convenience
SUPPORTING SUB-TRENDS AI and Tech to Unlock Intelligence Employee Agency to Act on Their EQ
HOTEL NEWS 40 AWARDS 44 SNAPSHOTS 46 PEOPLE PROFILE 48 Industry Update
4.
INFOGRAPHIC
BIGGER THAN Oneself Acting on a messagemeaningful You can’t just provide content anymore. Every event must have a message. Participants want to understand what’s important to a business and experience events that deliver that message down to the smallest Accordingdetail.toa 2018 Mintel report on responsible brands, 51% of consumers in the U.S. agree that an environmentally responsible product is worth paying more for. “The devil is in the details. I see these organizations that put on events about sustainability, but then they don’t give you a refillable water bottle and have disposable plastic all over the place. You’ve got to pay attention to the details. It’s credibility. Follow through.” —Amy Blackman, senior advisor, A Hundred Years
SUPPORTING SUB-TRENDS Honor the Place—Keep It Local Distance Helps Disconnection Don’t Forget Human Nature
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3. MULTIMODAL Design Designing for adaptation and iteration Every event has a unique objective and audience, and a space must reflect each event’s specific personality and needs. From technological infrastructure, to architecture, to furniture and fixtures, space is critical to any event and should be designed to adapt to the ways that participants will engage with one another, with the content of the event, and with the space itself. Investment management company Jones Lang LaSalle predicts that by 2030, 30% of all commercial office space will be consumed as “flexible space” that can transform to fit the needs of individual employees, as well as collaborative group dynamics.
The most memorable events celebrate local surrounding, enriching visitors, exposing them to the local culture, and connecting them with the community to increase “It’sengagement.notjustabout utilizing the convention center anymore, and instead, it’s about utilizing all the assets within the city to create that really personalized experience based on the interest of the participants that are going to the conference.” —Sherrif Karamat, CEO, PCMA
SUPPORTING SUB-TRENDS Design Space that Assumes Change Design for Differences Sensorial Tech to Enable Empathy
5. CLEAR SENSE OF Place Leveraging geography for deeper enrichment
SUPPORTING SUB-TRENDS Be DesignPolarizingDown to the Details
Emery, Autograph Collection
HOTEL NEWS »
IN MINNEAPOLIS
EMERY, COLLECTIONAUTOGRAPHOPENS
Emery, Autograph Collection located in downtown Minneapolis, officially opened on April 3. The 229-room, 10-story hotel takes the place of the former Hotel Minneapolis but with a new look. The lobby, lush with greenery and sporting a midcentury modern aesthetic, pays homage to Emery’s past as Midland Bank. Its on-site restaurant, Giulia, is a Northern Italian-inspired restaurant that features an active open kitchen with a wood-burning oven. Spyhouse Coffee will also have its first-ever downtown location here. In the evening, Spyhouse will transform into a lobby lounge serving beer and wine. The property will also include a redesigned fitness facility with Peloton bikes and local artwork in guest rooms throughout the property by artists such as Shana Kaplov and EdieCuratedOvertuf.minibars are stocked with local items like Crooked Water Spirits, assorted Finnegans Beers, So Good So You Probiotic Shots and Funky Chunky Peanut Butter Popcorn. Emery has 4,500 square feet of flexible meeting space across seven meeting rooms, one private dining room and the lobby area (which has flexible space that can be used for social functions).
40 MNM+E | SUMMER 2019
HILTON(OPPOSITE)MINNEAPOLIS;EMERYPHOTOS:
REGIONAL NEWS
The 1900s building was previously home to the Advance Thresher/Emerson-Newton Implement Company. “The original structure is an example of the kind of large-scale com mercial and industrial buildings that were being constructed around the turn of the cen tury. Converting it has really been a labor of love,” says DLR Group Principal Ed Wilms, AIA, who leads the firm’s Hospitality Studio in Minneapolis. “The resulting design is one that both preserves the building’s heritage and offers guests a truly modern, energizing atmo sphere in the heart of downtown Minneapolis.”
Canopy Minneapolis Mill District’s 183 Just-Right rooms are designed for ease and comfort, and include features like a canopy over the bed, Serta mattress, heated bathroom floors, Canopy’s signature “uncloseted” closet, 55-inch TV, Nespresso machine, generous workspace and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Hilton adds vibrancy to the fabric of East Town and the Mill District. The shared vision of Canopy by Hilton and DLR delivers a spectacular Minneapolis experi ence,” says George Sherman, CEO and owner, Sherman Associates. “We were driven to cap ture the spirit and history of Minneapolis, and we are honored to celebrate it with guests, residents and businesses downtown.”
Canopy by Hilton Debuts in Minneapolis Canopy by Hilton, in collaboration with Sherman Associates and DLR Group, recently opened its first hotel in Minnesota. Located in the East Town neighborhood at 708 Third St. S., the Canopy by Hilton Minneapolis Mill District is part of a large mixed-use devel opment that includes residential and retail components.“Canopyby
The hotel’s food offerings spotlight local farmers and producers as well as local craft beers and distilled beverages. UMBRA Bites & Pours serves an artisanal breakfast, while a Break Fast Bag can be delivered to guests’ rooms. Canopy Central is available for guests to have a cup of coffee or complimentary Evening Tasting, featuring beers, wines and spirits. Guests also receive a welcome gift of handmade truffles from chef Kevin.
MN.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 41
Canopy Minneapolis Mill District boasts a selection of private and semiprivate event spaces. There are more than 6,000 square feet of flexible, glass-enclosed space that reveals the exposed wood ceilings and exterior brick walls. canopybyhilton.com
CWT Meetings & Events also unveiled a new website with brand-new functionality and con tent. The new site showcases CWT Meetings & Event’s services, including live events, technol ogy, consulting and creative solutions, and it provides a more engaging, intuitive user expe rience. “These changes reflect our focus on creativity—combining the power of technol ogy and innovation with the expert know-how of our people to deliver memorable events and experiences all around the world,” says Derek Sharp, SVP and managing director of CWT Meetings & Events. CWT’s three core brand promises are:
Minneapolis-based Carlson Wagonlit Travel, a business-to-business-for-employee (B2B4E) travel management platform, has rebranded to simply CWT. The three-letter classification reflects the three pillars of its focused value proposition and connects with the three-fold intent to be the undisputed global leader in digital busi ness travel, hotel distribution, and meetings and“There’sevents.a romantic link with the Wagons-Lit era, and we are justifiably proud of our 150year heritage; however, today’s developments reinforce our intention to continue to lead our industry for the next century and a half,” says CWT’s President and CEO Kurt Ekert.
CWT Reveals New Brand and Identity
REGIONAL NEWS
» Unlocking possibilities: Providing more services and content to travelers, travel man agers and suppliers—to unlock people poten tial and business possibility
A new upscale hotel, located at the corner of South Broadway and East Center Street in downtown Rochester, opened on April 16 to meet the city’s growing luxury market demands. The 264-room Hilton Rochester Mayo Clinic Area will be managed by Avra Hospitality.Amenities include a rooftop terrace on the fifth floor, fitness center, indoor pool, sauna, steam room and spa. There is also a private car service and sky way access to Mayo Clinic and downtown businesses. There are 90 spac es dedicated for hotel visitors at the new seven-level parking ramp. The hightech conference center is being leased by J.Powers and features two ballrooms with spectacular city views. There is also a breakout area with flexible configurations and a rooftop terrace. The Hilton is one of the first projects under Rochester’s Destination Medical Center (DMC) initiative—a public-private partnership to position Rochester as the world’s pre mier destination for health and wellness (read more on page 27).
HOTEL NEWS »
» Moving forward, together: Innovating and evolving our offering—using new technolo gies to provide our clients with new and bet ter ways to manage global corporate travel
42 MNM+E | SUMMER 2019 REBRAND »
AREA;CLINICMAYOROCHESTERHILTONPHOTOS: OAKSINWOOD(OPPOSITE)
Hilton Hotel Opens in Downtown Rochester
» Simply better travel: Offering a simple and seamless travel management experience— from an intuitive user interface to integrated management tools
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MINTAHOE CATERING & EVENTS’
Inwood Oaks, owned and operated by Mintahoe Catering & Events, opened this past April. The remodeled and rebranded venue (formerly the Prom Center) now features contemporary car peting, fresh paint, elegant chandeliers, updated interior LED lighting and a refreshed exterior. The venue boasts 32,000 square feet that can seat 10-1,000 guests. It has four event spaces including two ballrooms that can be combined to create one large ballroom; the Fireside Room, ideal for meetings and dinners for up to 85 guests; and the lobby, which works well as a display area for trade shows, registration for corporate events, galas and fundraisers, or can be incorporated into the ballroom areas. “While Mintahoe Catering & Events is the exclusive catering partner of many signature event venues across the Twin Cities, Inwood Oaks is the first venue Mintahoe owns, expand ing our options while providing an outstand ing experience for our customers and guests,” says Mintahoe Catering & Events President Jim McMerty. “We’re excited to invite new generations to create memories of weddings, galas, school events and special occasions while honoring the well-known and beloved history and nostalgia of its Prom Center past.”
VENUE NEWS »
INWOOD OAKS EVENT CENTER OPENS
PEOPLE NEWS » New Pastry Chef at D’Amico Catering Leah Henderson, who has been with D’Amico for more than 20 years (most recently working for full-service restaurants Café & Bar Lurcat and Campiello), is taking over the pastry program at D’Amico Catering. Henderson’s experience ranges from pavlovas and bonnets, to pies and ice cream sundaes, to gulab jamun and frangipan tart, and Mayan chocolate torte. Her “claims to fame” include cooking at the James Beard House and making a birthday cake for Prince.
The Minnesota Super Bowl LII Host Committee was selected for its success in highlighting Minnesota and the Bold North with statewide events and activations, which drew more than 1 million people to the state during the 10 days leading up to the Super Bowl. The Host Committee also donated more than $5.5 million to 52 community projects focused on children’s health and wellness.
Hospitality Hero Award & More
President’s Award: The Minnesota Lynx and Minnesota Timberwolves for bringing the best in women’s professional basketball to Minneapolis for the WNBA All-Star game Excellence in Meetings, Events & Conventions Award: Northern Lights Junior Volleyball, which brought nearly 680 teams to the city for a six-day competition; an estimated 50,000 people attended Spirit of Hospitality Award
The Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau awarded the Minnesota Super Bowl LII Host Committee the 2019 Diamond Service Awards Spirit of Hospitality Award, which was presented at the 23rd annual Diamond Service Awards on March 17.
The Minneapolis Police Department’s First Precinct was named the Hospitality Hero award winner for the fourth quarter of 2018 by Meet Minneapolis, Convention and Visitors Association. With a 22 percent reduction in overall crime in the precinct for the year, the offi cers of the First Precinct have kept visitors, residents and downtown workers safer by employing creative new strategies to reduce crime, according to nominator Tim Murray, owner of Murray’s Steakhouse.
Right: Minneapolis Police Sgt. Rob Illetschko and Lt. William Peterson accept the Hospitality Hero award on behalf of the Minneapolis Police Department First Precinct from Melvin Tennant.
Super Bowl LII branding in Mall of America’s atrium
Several of the successful strategies included partnering with social service agencies to pro vide effective help for the homeless; working with YouthLink to help youth receive needed services; and establishing a high level of com munications with the downtown community by advising safety groups and hosting livabil ityTheforums.First Precinct also works together with Meet Minneapolis in providing a welcom ing environment for visitors and convention groups to enjoy downtown Minneapolis. In December, directed patrols kept downtown safe for the 2018 NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championships. More than 23,000 college stu dents, coaches and spectators enjoyed events throughout the city. “The officers and leadership of the First Precinct work diligently to keep downtown safe and vibrant for all our meetings and con vention groups as well as leisure visitors,” says Melvin Tennant, Meet Minneapolis President and CEO. “We couldn’t do what we do without theirOtherefforts.”awards and recognitions from the 2019 Annual Meeting included: Lifetime Achievement Award: Presented to John Edman, Director, Explore Minnesota Innovation in Tourism Award: Greater MSP and the Metropolitan Airports Commission for its work to secure new inter national nonstop airline routes through the Regional Air Service Partnership
44 MNM+E | SUMMER 2019 UZOMA(OPPOSITE)PHOTOS: OBASI REGIONAL NEWS AWARDS »
“The Host Committee has more than earned the honor of receiving the Spirit of Hospitality Award,” says Bonnie Carlson, president and CEO of the Bloomington Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Thanks to them, Bloomington and Minnesota were able to put our best foot forward during Super Bowl LII and focus on welcoming fans, teams and media to our destination.”
Positive Impact of Tourism on Minneapolis At its 2019 Annual Meeting, Meet Minneapolis unveiled its year-end figures, which exceeded its key performance goals including convention center revenue, hotel room nights and private revenue. “Our responsibility is to bring visitors to the city, in part, through the 702 events Meet Minneapolis secures annually. Yet our impact reaches far beyond that,” explains Tennant. “These events and visitors add millions of dollars in tax revenue for the city to reinvest into the community.” Key Performance Indicators: • Group Room Nights: 560,681 nights or 107 percent of the goal set for 2018 Minneapolis Convention Center Revenue: A record-setting year, with revenue of $22.6 million, eclipsing the goal of $20 million by 112 percent Private Revenue: $2.9 million, 113 percent of the stated goal of $2.6 million In 2018, the overall hotel occupancy rate was nearly 71 percent. That was an increase from 68.6 percent in 2017, even with the addition of more than 1,400 new rooms between 2016 and 2018. Lodging taxes alone generated more than $8 million for the city and local residents. Those tax dollars become city resources to be reinvested into the community. on Community: Support over 8,600 jobs of the more than 36,000 hospitality jobs in for 2018 was nearly 840,000,
2018
Impact
•MinneapolisOverallattendance
a 3 percent increase over 2017 • Approximately 796 tons of waste were recycled in 2018, 164 more tons than the previous year • Annual recycling rate of 60 percent Includes the following: • 69 Hotel Rooms • 43 Condos • 502 Restaurant & Bar • Pool, Hot Tub and Sauna • Chasers 2 Lane Bowling Alley • All our Meeting Spaces • Basic Audio Visual • WiFi & Parking • Steps away from Downtown Walker + Multiple Food & Beverage Packages + Group Activity Add-ons CREATE YOUR VERY OWN TAKEOVERRESORTTAP Starting at SUNDAY$10,000-THURSDAY | NOVEMBER-APRIL Call Colette at 218-547-8507 or email at colette.huston@chaseonthelake.com DOWNTOWN WALKER I LEECH LAKE MEET IN OWATONNA CHARMING | AFFORDABLE | CONVENIENT 800-423-6466 | visitowatonna.org
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MN.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 45 TOURISM NEWS »
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46 MNM+E | SUMMER 2019 SNAPSHOTS MINNESOTA M+E BEST OF 2019 6 5 21 43
1. Meghan Gustafson, MPLS Downtown Council, Amy Brown, Chowgirls, and Danielle Ottman, U.S. Bank Stadium - SMG. 2. Lifetime Achievement hon oree Craig Oliver. 3. Floral arrange ments from Haute House Studio. 4. Jess Kontz, Samantha Sommers and Madelyn Riley, Mall of America. 5. Connor Myhre, Heroic Productions. 6. The Grand View Lodge team with their award. 7. Up-and-Coming Supplier Lataya Williams and Preston Albrent, U.S. Bank Stadium - SMG. 8. Claire Ward illustrated attendees. 9. The awards were presented in the Lumber Exchange Event Center’s Fountain Room. 10. Justin Graddy, Graddy Photography, and Laurie McVean, lauren b. photography. 11. The Spring 2019 issue of MNM+E —Photos by Coppersmith Photography
MN.MEETINGSMAGS.COM 47 7 8 10 11 9 SUBMIT YOUR EVENT PHOTOS To have your meeting or event photos featured here, contact the editor at morgan.halaska@tigeroak.com. Minnesota M+E Best of 2019 Readers’ Choice Awards MNM+E’s annual readers’ choice awards brought 295 meeting and event profes sionals to the Lumber Exchange Event Center on April 24 to honor the 2019 award winners and Hall of Famers. Frank Maciel was the event’s emcee. Mall of America was the premier sponsor, and Discover St. Louis Park was the event’s Uber sponsor, giving attendees a credit to the ride-share app. Event partners included Lumber Exchange Event Center (which provided the food, drinks and A/V on top of the venue); Haute House Studio (décor and floral); DJ Don/Gen Now; North Mallow (s’mores bar); Time Into Pixels (photo booth); Coppersmith Photography (photos); Claire Ward Illustrations; and Tiffany Rose Goodyear (who scented the event “Waterfall,” with notes of myrrh, vetiver and citrus).
CA: I think Meghan really hit on all of the touch points. We really want to capture what a well-rounded commu nity we are. Get Connected ILEA LIVE 2019 | ilealive.com
TEAMWORK
MNM+E: What, in your opinions, makes Minneapolis a great destination for ILEA Live 2019? MG: This is the first time that ILEA Live has returned to a city, and they chose Minneapolis. Our local chapter has won Chapter of the Year more than anyone else. People are taking us seriously as a destination. We have some really unique opportunities here, and we want to show how much there is to do 365 days of the year.
PEOPLE PROFILE CHRISTIE ALTENDORF & MEGHAN GUSTAFSON
MNM+E: What are your plans for ILEA Live 2019?
ZELLMANTRACIBY:ILLUSTRATION
MNM+E: As co-chairs of the event, how do you two divide your responsibilities? MG: We work as a really great team. Christie brings a real creativity to things, and I bring committee experience. There is a great cohesiveness to our relationship; I’m the straightforward one and she is the diplomat.
BY JOSEPHINE WERNI
CA: We have a great working connection and bring dif ferent strengths to the team. We help each other out when workloads ebb and flow. Meghan’s production knowledge is incredible. She gets stuff done and I’m the one who makes sure everyone is happy and on board.
MG: My current position is director of events and pro grams for the Minneapolis Downtown Council. Prior to that, I planned fundraising events for The Basilica of Saint Mary. I’ve been a member of ILEA for about 12 years. I’ve been on the advisory board since 2015, and I was president from 2015-16.
MNM+E: What are your backgrounds in the industry and how did you get involved with ILEA Live?
CA: I currently work for D’Amico Catering as the catering events and marketing manager. I became a member of ILEA nine years ago, starting in a community role plan ning the Star Awards. I then moved to the governors board of chapters and was president after Meghan from 2016-17.
CA: Amazing education will be the core of this confer ence. The goal is creating an atmosphere of inspiration and intentional connections. Attendees won’t come here and build spreadsheets and marketing plans—they will learn how to enrich all aspects of their lives with creativity.
Meghan Gustafson and Christie Altendorf, co-chairs of ILEA Live 2019, talk about the event’s return to Minneapolis and how they’re working together to pull off an event to remember.
48 MNM+E | SUMMER 2019
MG: We also want to feature locally what Minneapolis is about: the music scene, the wonderful food and the fantastic art, to name a few. We’re bookending the event with an opening night party at First Avenue and tours of Paisley Park on the last day.
HOLD YOUR NEXT MEETING OR EVENT AT EXECUTIVE CENTER: Unique and private meeting facilities are located on Level 4, East at Mall of America and can accommodate groups of 15 - 140. State-of-the-art audio visual equipment is available in each meeting room. PARKVIEW: New 4,000 square foot private meeting space located in Nickelodeon Universe ® . With sweeping views of the park, the room can accommodate groups up to 400. Outfitted with a full prep kitchen, dance floor, staging, full audio visual capabilities and more, the space is ideal for professional and social events. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT GROUP SALES AT GROUPSALES@MALLOFAMERICA.COM OR 952.883.8809. Corporate Meetings | Nickelodeon Universe® Buy Outs | Bar + Bat Mitzvahs Conventions | Weddings + Social Receptions | Team-Building Activities | Youth Group Outings
Business and Pleasure Meets style King Room Marquis Room MillenniuM Minneapolis 1313 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55403 USA T +1 612.332.6000 e minneapolis.us@millenniumhotels.com W www.millenniumhotels.com Millennium Minneapolis is the ideal destination for meetings and events. With 321 guest rooms and a full complement of services and amenities, our dedicated staff works in concert with the modern design of the hotel to create a memorable experience for your attendees. Our commitment is to please every guest with attention to detail and the highest level of service. Contact us and mention promo code MME
