These days, conference and convention centers are stepping up the amenities they offer. Gone are the days of cavernous spaces and dull surroundings in remote locations. Now you can expect to find greater flexibility, superior technology options, more convenient locations, and sustainable practices that translate into cost savings for you. Whether you’re planning a large convention, a trade show, or a general meeting with small breakout sessions, look to these Minnesota conference and convention centers to be the life of your party:
Location: Alexandria, Minnesota, just a short drive from the Twin Cities metro area. The resort and conference center are located on Lake Darling with spectacular year-round views and a wide range of indoor/outdoor activities for down time.
Event Space: 28,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, including a 14,400-square foot Exhibit/Recreation Center connected directly to the convention center, and 12 conference rooms. Complete AV support available. Book your event between November and April and enjoy incentives, such as full breakfast, bonfires, and spa discounts.
Accommodations: Traditional guest rooms and suites, plus exclusive townhomes, and cottages for singles as well as families and groups.
Amenities: Relaxing spa, onsite dining, golf, waterpark, full service marina, and horse stables offer amazing opportunities to relax and enjoy the area.
Location: Conveniently located on the picturesque University of Minnesota St. Paul Campus, the Conference Center is just minutes from both downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul, local shops, and restaurants.
Event Space: Thirteen meeting rooms, including one that seats up to 392 people. A variety of food service packages available for breakfast, lunch, and snacks. Advanced tech services and support options including video conferencing and WiFi. Parking located close to the Center.
Accommodations: Eleven hotels located within minutes of the campus in nearby Roseville. Multiple options and price points to suit every budget.
Amenities: Multiple entertainment options and activities are available at local theaters, breweries, Como Zoo, Minnesota State Fairgrounds, amusement parks, museums, and historical sites, plus opportunities to ski, golf, and take in a game at one of several sports facilities.
Location: Coon Rapids is a mere 20-minute drive from the downtown metropolitan area, allowing you close proximity to the city from a relaxed suburban location.
Event Space: Newly updated carpet, paint, flooring, and AV systems offer guests a refreshed and welcoming space in which to meet. Banquet facility seats 230 comfortably and can be divided to accommodate smaller groups. Two conference rooms, a recreation room and an Arts and Crafts room are available. Commercial grade kitchen and outdoor gazebo offer variety.
Accommodations: Affordable and comfortable, choose from several hotels close to the Civic Center. Many feature indoor pools and saunas, free breakfasts, and free WiFi.
Amenities: Area activities and attractions include the National Sport Center, Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park, Bunker Beach Water Park, plus nearby biking and hiking trails, breweries and wineries, golf courses, shopping, restaurants, and more.
Location: One hour south of the Twin Cities, the Four Seasons Civic Centre is in the charming community of Owatonna. The town itself is built on the banks of the Straight River and surrounded by fertile farmland.
Event Space: Built in 1972, the Civic Center was expanded in 2000. The multi-purpose complex is comprised of two connected buildings for a combined 50,000 square feet of floor space that also serves as ice rinks. The facility includes a hospitality area, meeting space that overlooks the exhibit floors, and additional meeting rooms for smaller groups.
Accommodations: Book rooms in any one of 10 nearby hotels, motels, or bed & breakfasts. Seven hundred rooms are available, some of which feature pools, fitness centers, free breakfasts, kitchenettes, and WiFi.
Amenities: Guests will enjoy strolling the historic downtown area, visiting the Orphanage Museum, the Reptile & Amphibian Discovery Zoo, the Village of Yesteryear, and the National Farmers’ Bank, named one of the “11 Can’t-Miss Stops on a Tour of America’s Hidden Architecture Gems.”
Location: For more than one hundred years, Grand View Lodge has been welcoming guests to their lakeside resort in the picturesque Minnesota Northwoods town of Nisswa.
Event Space: There are no ordinary meetings here because the meeting spaces are extraordinary. Choose from the outdoor patio, lawn, beach, or terrace, as well as indoor dining spaces, boardrooms, dining halls and even a cruise on Gull Lake aboard a luxury yacht.
Accommodations: The property offers guests many lodging choices including the historic Main Lodge, a variety of suites, townhomes, villas, cabins, and cottages, many on the lake and all offering spectacular scenic views.
Amenities: The full-service resort encourages guests to take advantage of its many amenities including golf, the Glacial Waters Spa, zip line, family fun center, guided fishing, waterfront rentals, ice skating and hockey, beach bonfires, and much more.
Location: This family-owned and operated resort on the shores of Bay Lake since 1898 is located in the Brainerd Lakes region of northern Minnesota.
Event Space: Boasting both indoor and outdoor meeting and event spaces for up to 300 guests, the lodge features a 3000-square foot ballroom along with less expansive rooms to accommodate smaller groups.
Accommodations: Rustic chic accommodations include lodge rooms, cabins, villas, cottages, golf course condos, and more, for both small and large groups.
Amenities: The resort invites golfers to swing on by one of the resort’s two golf courses, enjoy fine or casual dining, unwind in the Fine Line Salon + Spa, or thrill to year-round activities including a marina with boat rental, horseback riding, canoe and kayak tours, ropes course, and hiking on surrounding nature trails.
Location: Located just 2 miles from Two Harbors, the resort and conference center is surrounded by lush forests and overlooks Lake Superior.
Event Space: With 3600 square feet of flexible meeting space located on the first floor of the main lodge, windows and doors run the length of the room and offer stunning views of the lake, as well as access to the terrace and pebble beach.
Accommodations: A variety of lodging options welcome individuals and groups and include the Main Lodge, with large rustic rooms and suites, Burlington Bay with luxury guest rooms and suites, or stunning lake homes located along the rugged Lake Superior shoreline.
Amenities: Indoor amenities include pool, hot tub, kiddie pool, sauna and exercise room. Outdoor amenities include seasonal pool, hot tub and cabana bar, playground, and a 2000-foot pebble beach. Enjoy casual dining in the Kamloops Restaurant and Lounge located in the main lodge.
Location: The newly renovated Conference Center located in the friendly town of Willmar is ideally accommodating for conferences, conventions, trade shows, banquets, fundraisers, and meetings.
Event Space: Features 10,000 square feet of flexible meeting/exhibit space with state of the art AV electronics. Ideal for groups as small as 12 or as large as 1300. Atrium lobby features a grand piano and full-service bar, perfect for opening receptions.
Accommodations: Nearby Willmar hotels invite guests to relax in comfy guest rooms or suites. Some offer onsite restaurants, pools, whirlpools, free breakfast, 24-hour business centers, and WiFi.
Amenities: The quaint town of Willmar offers many activities and sites to entertain visitors, including the Foxhole Brewhouse, Glacial Lakes Trail, SkinLuxe MedSpa, and the Dorothy Olson Aquatic Center. Hike at nearby Sibley State Park, thrill to the Little Crow Water Ski Team, or sip wine at the Glacial Ridge Winery.
Location: The Verizon Center multi-purpose arena and convention center is located in Mankato, just 50 minutes from Owatonna and under 2 hours from the Twin Cities metro area.
Event Space: The flexible space offers a variety of options for expos, trade shows, conventions, and conferences. The Grand Hall accommodates 2000 people and has two lobbies available for pre-function, registration, or social hour space. More than 6500 people can sit comfortably in the arena, which also has 15 VIP suites, and 21,000 square feet of flexible floor space. The Convention Center consists of up to 25 breakout rooms, including Banquet Hall, Reception Hall, and Grand Hall.
Accommodations: Choose from a variety of hotels in the area, conveniently located within ten miles of the Verizon Center, including Hilton Garden Inn Mankato Downtown, Mankato City Center Hotel, and the Best Western Hotel + Restaurant.
Amenities: The Verizon Center offers planners the assistance of their professional guest services team to help with technical, lighting, acoustics, security, housekeeping, and event facilitation. Additional services available include, bar service and in-house catering.
