Are we there yet? Choosing the perfect Minnesota meeting and event destination and working with CVBs

Any planner who wants the inside info knows you have to get it straight from the horses mouth. So when it comes to choosing your ideal Minnesota meeting or event destination that means working with CVBs. As the workhorse of the meeting and event planning industry you know you can count on them to give you the scoop on everything you need to know. From helping plan an entire event, to creating marketing materials, locating venues and vendors, and assisting in planning off-site activities, these CVBs and Chambers of Commerce will lead you in the right direction to ensure that your event goes off without a hitch.

Metro

Home to the world-famous Mall of America® and just minutes from the Minneapolis/St Paul International Airport, the good folks at the Bloomington CVB are ready to help you book your guests into any of the 8200 sleeping rooms located at 38 hotels across the area. With total function space of 75,000 square feet available, Bloomington can handle your big event with ease.|

The planning pros at Minneapolis Northwest CVB have $10,000 in grant money available to planners while boasting seven exhibition halls, 1,900 sleeping rooms and more than 62,000 square feet of exhibit space.

Not to be outdone, Twin Cities Gateway (consisting of nine communities on the northern edge of Minneapolis and St. Paul) easily competes with the promise of top-ranked golf courses, Minnesota’s largest outdoor water park, and the National Sports Center, the world’s largest amateur sports facility.

Located just minutes from downtown, Roseville Visitors Association promises one of the lowest lodging tax rates in the area, as well as close proximity to the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, Northwestern College and the University of Minnesota.

Nestled among lakes, scenic parks and outstanding trails and not far from ELKO Speedway, Minnesota Zoo and Canterbury Park, the Lakeville CVB invites visitors to enjoy arts and cultural activities, abundant golf and unique meeting venues for up to 600 people, indoors and out!

While just a short cab ride to the airport and MOA, Eagan CVB and Burnsville CVB will also point you in the direction of some of the finest restaurants, entertainment venues, and shops including those featured in Minnesota's newest outlet mall under contruction opening in Eagan, Minnesota this August!

Southern

Meander down south (just one hour from the metro) and the Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism will welcome you with helpful meeting planning services, 75,000 sq ft of function space including the Four Seasons Civic Centre, 12 exhibit halls and 575 sleeping rooms.

At the same time, the good folks at the Red Wing Visitor & Convention Bureau are certain your meeting will take on new meaning at the historic St. James Hotel, while guests enjoy golfing, biking, or a tasting at nearby Falconer Vineyards and the Red Wing Brewery in their downtime.

Explore Hutchinson (known as Minnesota’s Hometown) and discover hospitality along with some of the areas most lush and verdant golf clubs - Crow River Golf Club with its new clubhouse and event hall, and the Oakdale Golf Club, with a 24,000 square foot facility and breathtaking grounds.

Central

The pros at the Saint Cloud Area CVB invite you to come to the Granite Country and live on the edge — the St Cloud Rivers Edge Convention Center — where your event can stretch out over nearly 150,000 sq ft of event space.  Located on the picturesque banks of the Mississippi River, St. Cloud is just a brief 60 minute drive from the Twin Cities.

Ask the Willmar Lakes Area CVB how many choices you have for planning your event and they’ll tell you — more than you can imagine. From retreat spaces nestled in the woods to the more traditional conference center venue, from fine dining to box lunches, from wine making to wall climbing, there’s something for everyone.

The same could be said of The Bigwood Event Center in Fergus Falls with its 12,000 sq ft of flexible event space. What’s more, the Fergus Falls CVB will point you in the direction of its 300 hotel rooms, historic buildings, performing arts center, a nature learning center, and fabulous biking, walking and snowmobile trails.

Northwest

Head “up north” in Minnesota and you’ll discover scenic lakes, forests and recreational activities like nowhere else. Just consult with the Detroit Lakes Tourism Bureau. They’ll tell you about the possibilities for your event when there are 400 lakes within 25 miles and guests can ski (cross-country, downhill, or water) and fish (on open water or ice) year round. 

Or perhaps you’d prefer your event to take place where the mythic Paul Bunyan once lived. Visit Bemidji can offer you the use of the Sandford Center, 185,000 sq ft facility on the tranquil northwoods shores of Lake Bemidji. Plus a fabulous photo op with the big guy himself, along with his blue ox, Babe.

But no matter where you travel throughout Minnesota, you’ll find CVBs are there to help you take your meeting or event into the winner’s circle.

Visit Take Five to learn more about many of the destinations mentioned above and future featured Minnesota meeting and event destinations!