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REGIONAL NEWS
VENUE NEWS »
Bellagala Opens New Event Space
The Edward Anne Estate, an event space at Bavaria Downs, opened on Sept. 18. The 26,000-square-foot venue was designed with authentic French Normandy style and boasts the nation’s only venue with a steam-shingled roof. With a capacity of 400 people, the estate features modern amenities that can be elegant, casual, rustic, vintage or lavish. Inside the estate’s palatial, gated entrance, guests are greeted by noble oak groves and rose gardens, reminiscent of a French country estate. Catering operations at Bavaria Downs are exclusively run by D’Amico Catering and feature innovative menus and farm-to-table operations.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Bellagala on this new venture,” says Jason BrownHoesing, senior marketing manager at D’Amico & Partners. “Our imaginative cuisine and impeccable service will delight and impress guests in this venue that exudes European luxury. Our expert chefs and food designers are the best in Minnesota and will ensure that each celebration is a culinary success.”
Bavaria Downs is located at 3919 Bavaria Road in Chaska. bavariadowns.com; 952.443.2968; info@bavariadowns.com
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ARAMARK ANNOUNCES MENU ENHANCEMENTS AT U.S. BANK STADIUM
For the 2018 NFL season at U.S. Bank Stadium, there is a new and expanded selection of food and beverage that continues to feature the region’s top restauranteurs, iconic brands and award-winning small businesses.
NEW & EXPANDED PARTNERSHIPS
NEW Market Bar-B-Que (Hyundai Club and Upper Level Concessions) – Family-owned and operated restaurant in Minneapolis for over 70 years
Bibuta (Hyundai Club) – Minneapolis eatery founded by acclaimed sushi chef Billy Tserenbat
Chickie’s & Pete’s (Hyundai Club) – First introduced during Super Bowl LII, this menu selection proved to be an instant hit with fans
Bubble Waffle (111 Main Concourse, 318 Upper Concourse) – This menu item makes its seasonlong debut, after first being introduced during Super Bowl LII EXPANDED Be Graceful Catering (now available at 124 Main Concourse and 328 Upper Concourse)
R Taco (now available in Hyundai Club and upper concourse)
Conference space on the shore of Lake Superior Able to accommodate 20-300
washburninn.com
RESTAURATEUR KEN JOHNSON CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF BUSINESS
The Hilltop in Edina recently celebrated its 40th year of serving. Opened in 1978 by founder Ken Johnson, The Hilltop has changed over the years but its dedication to good food and good times has not wavered. Opened first as The Pantry and later, the Eden Avenue Grill, Johnson and his son Brett remain dedicated to keeping the eatery a local landmark.
“Our goal all along has been to be a friendly neighborhood establishment where people can eat good food and feel at home,” says Johnson. “Our look and our name have changed a few times over the years, but our vision has never changed.”
To commemorate 40 years in business, The Hilltop hosted a special 40th Anniversary celebration on Oct. 14. hilltopedina.com/40
The Harbor View Event Center, in the heart of Bayfield County, WI is the perfect place to host your convention, training, wedding or corporate retreat. We can accommodate your group from 20 to 300. Conveniently located next to the Washburn Inn and overlooking the Washburn Marina. The beauty and natural surroundings stimulate and inspire, with unending outdoor recreational activities year round.
130 Harbor View Drive Washburn, WI 54891 • (715) 209-7279 • events@harborviewwashburn.com
AWARDS »
The Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC) is the recipient of the 2018 Venue Excellence Award from the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM). The award, from an international panel of peers, recognized the MCC as one of the five best managed venues within the IAVM membership (the category includes convention centers, arenas, stadiums, complexes, casinos and more). This marks the second time the MCC has been recognized as a Venue Excellence award recipient; it was also honored in 2014 in a stand-alone category for convention centers.
“It is incredibly gratifying to win this award, particularly because we were competing with venues of all types throughout the world, not just convention centers,” says Executive Director Jeff Johnson.
The MCC was judged in the areas of operational excellence, teambuilding and professional development, safety and security and service to the community. The MCC award submission made note of several areas of success including:
+ Sustainability: Currently achieving a 60 percent recycling rate and a reduction of water usage of nearly 30 percent
+ Excellent fiscal management: MCC is on pace to exceed its goal of $20 million in revenue for 2018 + Employee development: Since 2009 more than 20 employees have earned undergraduate and graduate degrees through the MCC’s tuition reimbursement program
“This validates the dedication and effort our entire team puts into providing a world-class hospitality venue for our clients and the community. Our employees are among the best in the world and, because of them, we are achieving our mission of serving this community by creating employment opportunities for workers, as well as generating tax revenue for the city,” says Johnson.
Jeff Johnson, Chris Hunjas, Ivory Smith and Justin Carlson accepted this year’s award in Toronto on July 25.
SPIN ANNOUNCES 40 OVER 40 WINNERS
SPIN: Senior Planners Industry Network announces the 2018 recipients of its SPIN:40 Over 40, the industry’s first recognition for veteran meeting planners. Sean R. Schuette, CMP, Schuette on Duty Solutions, LLC—who serves on the Minnesota M+E Editorial Advisory Board—was recognized as one of the recipients.
“It’s an honor to be one of the recipients of SPIN’s 2018 group of 40 over 40,” says Schuette. “As one of the original members of SPIN, I know personally of the impact the organization has had on me in my development in the industry as well as the friends and peers I have made over the years. Having my industry colleagues deem my contributions worthy is awesome.
The 40 honorees were recognized at SPINCon 2018 in St. Petersburg, Florida, on November 11-13.
Nicholas Ntalo with Mark Bastis and Georgia Jimenez
Nicholas Ntalo, a senior front desk host at Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, has been named the “Hospitality Hero” award winner for the second quarter of 2018 by Meet Minneapolis, Convention and Visitors Association. Ntalo has been with the hotel for three years. In the first half of 2018 alone, Ntalo has been mentioned in guest surveys 18 times for his outstanding service.
Georgia Jimenez, director of operations at Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, nominated Ntalo. “He approaches every day with undeniable positivity and a desire to serve. He advocates for our guests by putting himself into their shoes in each interaction. He is able to display empathy in a way that is not commonly seen in customer service and cannot be taught.”
Recently, Ntalo’s efforts in understanding the best way to communicate with hearing impaired guests attending the Hearing Loss of America conference were praised. “The team at Hyatt Regency Minneapolis is incredibly fortunate to have Nicholas as part of our family and cannot wait to see what he accomplishes next,” says Jimenez.
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HOTEL NEWS »
The Elliot Park Hotel Opens
The Elliot Park Hotel, a new elegant, upscale hotel in downtown Minneapolis, opened Sept. 20. The eight-story, 168-unit hotel is the final component of a comprehensive, mixed-use block development that also features Kraus-Anderson’s new home office, a 17-story HQ residential tower and Finnegan’s microbrewery.
Built by Kraus-Anderson (KA) and developed by Wilkinson Corporation, the upscale hotel is a member of the Marriott Autograph Collection. Hotel amenities include a fireside lounge, event space and a fitness center. Coury Hospitality will operate the hotel. The hotel’s on-site restaurant, Tavola Italian Kitchen and Bar, is a farm-to-table Italian restaurant that features pizzas, pastas and steaks, and a wide variety of wines and craft cocktails.
Designed by ESG Architects, the hotel is created to fit into the fabric of the existing historic Elliot Park neighborhood. The property is a key part of a full block urban redevelopment that builds on the City of Minneapolis’ East Town vision to transform Portland Avenue and Fifth Avenue into widened vibrant, pedestrian oriented streetscapes, connecting Elliot Park to the new Commons Park and the Mill District. PEOPLE NEWS »
New Hire at Meet Minneapolis
Jill Buckley joined Meet Minneapolis as a national account executive in July 2018 and will be based in the greater Washington D.C. area. She leads the sales effort in the Northeast association and corporate meetings market and is responsible for sales efforts in the government meetings market across the country. Most recently Buckley was a sales manager with GES, a global event marketing company. She’s also held the following positions: Global Account Executive for ConferenceDirect; corporate sales manager at US Airways; and national sales manager for Visit Charlotte for almost a decade.
“I am excited about the opportunity to work for Meet Minneapolis and Melvin Tennant. I previously worked for Melvin in Charlotte and have a tremendous amount of respect for the kind of team he builds,” says Buckley. “Plus, based on my past experience, I can really relate to what meeting planners need and understand their pain points. I am looking forward to educating people about Minneapolis and seeing that aha moment happen when they realize all that the city has to offer.”
New Hires at Seven Steakhouse Sushi and Rooftop
Seven Steakhouse Sushi and Rooftop has hired experienced event professionals
Christine Floersch and Judi Koch to lead its team of culinary and hospitality experts. Floersch serves as the director of event planning and Koch serves as the sales manager.
Floersch brings 20 years of experience, having worked for ClearChoice National Launch Team and UnitedHealth Group previously. Floersch was a member of the original Seven opening team. Koch brings 40 years of experience in the event planning field, having worked on behalf of clients like Northwest Airlines, United Airlines, First National Bank and many food brokerage companies. Koch is making her return to Seven after a several month hiatus, having worked there for four years previously.
“With Christine’s work ethic and attention to details, and Judi’s experience and reputation, they truly complement each other and can create private event experiences unlike any other in Minneapolis,” says Ken Sherman, co-owner of Seven.
Seth Daugherty also joins the team, running the kitchens of Seven Steakhouse on the first floor and Nam Nam on the second floor, which serves the Haven rooftop on
the third level.
Daugherty brings more than 40 years of experience to the position, most recently as the head chef at Open Arms Minnesota. In the 1990s he spent time cooking at D’Amico Cucina, and in 2003, he opened the Cosmos restaurant in what is now the Loews Hotel.
“With Seth’s experience and passion for technique and customer service, it was a nobrainer to bring him on board,” says Sherman. “We wanted to add a head chef to our team that understands the restaurant business and can guide the staff in continuing to create impeccable food and outstanding experiences for our guests. Seth is the perfect fit.”
