Prep School – The Best Minnesota Training Centers for Conference Season

After years of learning from experience, we’ve discovered that holding training sessions off site from an organization’s offices is highly beneficial to attendees. When they are away from the distraction of their daily routine, participants have the opportunity to really focus on the training.  What’s more, these centers are designed specifically to cater to the needs of both small and large groups in training and conference, so they offer the space and equipment every planner looks for in order to get the job done.  When considering a conference center, we recommend looking for the following attributes and amenities to ensure an A+ session:

1. Expansive spaces with the capacity to comfortably present to a large group along with smaller private rooms for breakout sessions.
2. Comfortable seating that is mobile so you can set up small groups, form circles or line up seats to face a stage or podium.
3. Business tools and equipment such as projector, screen, sound equipment and WiFi that allow you to focus on your agenda, instead of logistics.
4. Computer lab with internet and printers for training on new software or training new employees.
5. On-site tech support to ensure a quick fix should something go wrong with technology.
6. Availability of catering or refreshments on site for re-energizing your attendees.

There are many training and conference centers throughout Minnesota that meet most, if not all those criteria. As such, meetingpages.com recommends you check out the following:

The Minnesota Humanities Center offers a variety of meeting and event spaces for groups as small as 5 or as large as 150. The sophisticated venue boasts an assortment of meeting rooms in an historic building, along with comfortable overnight accommodations, on-site meal and break service, and access to nearby attractions in the capital city of St. Paul.

Featuring more than 20 conference rooms, 2 ballrooms, 2 theaters and several other distinctive spaces, the St. Paul Student Center at University of Minnesota has a lot to offer. Several AV packages and equipment, WiFi connection, outdoor patio and even a piano are all available for your gathering. Off-site catering is allowed and kitchen spaces are ready for meal prep. From the expansive North Star Ballroom to the eclectic Paul Whitney Gallery to the trendy Whole Music Club, there is a space and place for your group here.

With venues in both Minneapolis and St. Paul, the University of Saint Thomas:  Event and Conference Services is a subject you’ll want to learn more about. Whether your group numbers over 800 or under 20, there is a space available that is fully-equipped, comfortable, light-filled and ideal for training. On-site catering offers refreshments for breaks, along with complete menus for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert. Adaptable spaces can be set up classroom or lecture style, and state-of-the-art technology earns these venues top marks.

You got game when you host your event at the Schwan Event Center located in the National Sports Center. You’ll score big with over 75,000 square feet of meeting and event space, more than 3000 parking spaces on site, full-service catering, AV, phone, and WiFi. But that’s not all. A 180-bed dormitory with adjoining cafeteria, laundry facilities and lounge is also available, making this the ideal venue for lengthier training sessions.

Located just thirty minutes outside the Twin Cities, your attendees will enjoy the lakeside tranquility and beauty of the Oak Ridge Hotel + Conference Center. The Center’s experienced meeting planners and catering team will assist you in putting together a meeting or training package to meet all your needs. Start with scenic grounds, add 22,000 square feet of innovative learning spaces in the form of 35 meeting rooms and 2 ballrooms, combine that with free WiFi, a 24-hour business center, AV and sound equipment, an on-site IT and AV staff, plus ergonomic chairs for comfort, a full-service restaurant and catering on site, and you’ve got your meeting space.

Training, conferences or meetings couldn’t possibly be more convenient than when held at the MSP Airport Conference Center. Your attendees can literally hop off their flight and hop up a flight of stairs to the mezzanine level where conference rooms and private workstations await for as many as 100. With AV, computer and presentation equipment available, along with administrative support, and catering, food and beverage service, your group will be able to conduct business on the fly.