A Minnesota Holiday Event to Remember

Holiday parties are the classic annual event.  Despite the challenges that may push other events to the wayside – such as budget cuts and corporate restructuring – it is the one occasion that people can count on year after year.  It can also be the one event that guests dread year after year – spending precious time at an obligatory party during the busiest season.  And, thus, the meeting planner’s challenge:  a holiday event to remember.

The key to creating a memorable annual event is providing an experience that is a bit unexpected. You want to make the guests who come planning to stay just long enough to show their face to leave hours later, saying “that was really fun!”

One way to set the scene is choosing a venue that has built-in entertainment. Casinos, including Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel; Shooting Star Casino, Hotel + Event Center; and Treasure Island Resort + Casino, are a great option because of the many things to do in one location. Similarly, the Mall of America offers everything from an aquarium to a theme park on top of great event space, and your guests can even couple the party with some holiday shopping if they wish.

Other ideas for entertaining locations include the Great Clips IMAX Theatre, where you can watch one of their movies or show your own on the big screen; The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, where your guests will enjoy the peaceful winter wonderland setting; or the Maple Grove Community Center, where you’ll find a variety of activity options along with party space for all sizes of groups.

Take it a step further and turn your event into a mini vacation for your guests.  Charter a bus to Red Wing – just one hour away – for a classic event at the historic St. James Hotel. Then give your guests the option of a return ride that evening or the following day, to allow time for antiquing and holiday shopping in Red Wing’s downtown district or exploring the great outdoors along the river bluff.

Minnesota’s many resorts also offer great opportunities for a destination event. Not a far drive from the Twin Cities, your guests will enjoy an escape to the relaxing environments at Arrowwood Resort + Conference Center, Breezy Point Resort + Conference Center, or Cragun’s Resort + Hotel on Gull Lake.  Resort get-aways are the perfect opportunity to include families in the fun or to squeeze a little business into the mix. To make a destination event better fit the schedules of your guests, send the invitation during the holiday season for an event to take place into the new year.

But of course, your guests don’t have to get away to have a great time. In the heart of downtown Minneapolis, The Depot Minneapolis, A Renaissance Hotel, offers event space, as well as guest rooms, a water park and a skating rink.  And what says winter fun and party memories better than a sheet of ice?  Or, jump into the action on the University of Minnesota campus at the Radisson University Hotel Minneapolis, ready to accommodate a group of almost any size.

In St. Paul, The Minnesota Humanities Center is a beautifully restored architectural landmark with all the elegant touches that lend to a formal party.  Alternatively, the Saint Paul Hotel offers a distinct up-scale experience that will leave a lasting impression on your guests. To make it even more memorable, guests can walk across the park in the twinkling holiday lights to continue the celebration with theater or concert tickets. For those planning a party in the Rochester area, the Kahler Grand Hotel sets the stage for an evening of old world luxury and charm with its warm décor of rich woods and elegant furnishings.

For a more intimate occasion, restaurants are an excellent venue choice to create a special event. Create an evening of authentic Italian charm at Maggiano’s; enjoy casual fun at Kokomos Island Cafe; or turn up the blues and BBQ at Famous Dave’s Bloomington – or have them cater at your location of choice.

Once you choose the perfect venue, let the other details flow from the atmosphere of the location. If you need help, talk with the experts at the event site to learn from their experience. They know better then anyone how to plan a successful party at their venue. The only challenge you’ll be left with is how to top your memorable holiday event next year!