REGIONAL NEWS

Emery, Autograph Collection

HOTEL NEWS »

EMERY, AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION OPENS IN MINNEAPOLIS

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 Edie Overtuf.

Curated 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).

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 development that includes residential and retail components.

“Canopy by 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 experience,” says George Sherman, CEO and owner, Sherman Associates. “We were driven to capture the spirit and history of Minneapolis, and we are honored to celebrate it with guests, residents and businesses downtown.”

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 commercial and industrial buildings that were being constructed around the turn of the century. 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 atmosphere 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.

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.

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

REBRAND » CWT Reveals New Brand and Identity

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 business travel, hotel distribution, and meetings and events.

“There’s 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 Meetings & Events also unveiled a new website with brand-new functionality and content. The new site showcases CWT Meetings & Event’s services, including live events, technology, consulting and creative solutions, and it provides a more engaging, intuitive user experience. “These changes reflect our focus on creativity—combining the power of technology 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:

» Simply better travel: Offering a simple and seamless travel management experience— from an intuitive user interface to integrated management tools

» Unlocking possibilities: Providing more services and content to travelers, travel managers and suppliers—to unlock people potential and business possibility

» Moving forward, together: Innovating and evolving our offering—using new technologies to provide our clients with new and better ways to manage global corporate travel HOTEL NEWS »

Hilton Hotel Opens in Downtown Rochester

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 skyway access to Mayo Clinic and downtown businesses. There are 90 spaces 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 premier destination for health and wellness (read more on page 27).

VENUE NEWS »

MINTAHOE CATERING & EVENTS’ INWOOD OAKS EVENT CENTER OPENS

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 carpeting, 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, expanding our options while providing an outstanding 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.”

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.

AWARDS » Hospitality Hero Award & More

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 officers 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.

Several of the successful strategies included partnering with social service agencies to provide effective help for the homeless; working with YouthLink to help youth receive needed services; and establishing a high level of communications with the downtown community by advising safety groups and hosting livability forums.

The First Precinct also works together with Meet Minneapolis in providing a welcoming 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 students, 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 convention groups as well as leisure visitors,” says Melvin Tennant, Meet Minneapolis President and CEO. “We couldn’t do what we do without their efforts.”

Other 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 international nonstop airline routes through the Regional Air Service Partnership

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

Super Bowl LII branding in Mall of America’s atrium

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.

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 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.

“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.”

TOURISM NEWS »

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.”

2018 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.

Impact on Community: • Support over 8,600 jobs of the more than 36,000 hospitality jobs in Minneapolis • Overall attendance for 2018 was nearly 840,000, 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

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