Home Field Advantage – How Minnesota CVBs Can Give You an Edge

Who doesn’t love a good freebie? When it comes to planning events or conferences, the complimentary services provided by Convention and Visitors Bureaus (CVBs) can be invaluable. If you're not taking advantage of what Minnesota CVBs have to offer, you could be missing out on hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars’ worth of free support. When you're navigating the challenge of working with a "streamlined" budget, these resources can make all the difference. Here’s how Minnesota’s CVBs can give you a serious edge in your event planning.

Bloomington CVB: The Hub of Shopping and Hospitality

Home to the world-renowned Mall of America and MSP International Airport, Bloomington is a vibrant city with easy access to the Twin Cities. With over 40 hotels and more than 500 restaurants, Bloomington is well-equipped to host events of any size.

Free Services Offered:

•    Welcome and hospitality booth coordination
•    Venue recommendations and bid presentation materials
•    Liaison to hotels and customers
•    Site visit coordination, entertainment options, and discounts on rental cars and vans

Lakeville CVB: Nature Meets the Twin Cities

Located just 30 minutes south of the Twin Cities, Lakeville offers a perfect mix of natural beauty and urban amenities. Visitors can enjoy nearby attractions like Canterbury Park, Valley Fair, and the Minnesota Zoo, as well as plenty of outdoor activities.

Free Services Offered:

•    Event facility recommendations and vendor referrals (caterers, entertainers, photographers)
•    Assistance with team-building activities and planning
•    An extensive network of local referrals for your event needs

Visit Mankato: A Scenic, Affordable Destination

Mankato is one of the most affordable places to do business in the Upper Midwest, offering stunning landscapes and a modern city with all the amenities you need for a successful event. With over 14 hotels and a convention center that accommodates up to 6,500 attendees, Mankato is well-suited for large gatherings.

Free Services Offered:

•    Bidding assistance and site inspections
•    Shuttle transportation coordination and media/public relations support
•    Guest tours, visitor information, and a grant program to help with event costs

Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism: The Jewel of the Prairie

Known for its parks, trails, and historic downtown, Owatonna offers a charming, small-town atmosphere that’s just an hour south of the Twin Cities. This picturesque location features diverse outdoor activities, great shopping, and local entertainment.

Free Services Offered:

•    Competitive bid presentations and lodging room block assistance
•    Free welcome bags with visitor guides, maps, and coupons
•    Arranged welcome from local dignitaries and group tours to local attractions
•    A small grant program to help with advertising, meeting space, and convention needs

Red Wing CVB: Historic Charm and Natural Beauty

Red Wing, a scenic river city along the Mississippi River, is full of charm and history. Visitors can explore the town’s bluffs, historical sites, and iconic shops, like the Red Wing Shoe Store. With a wide range of accommodations, Red Wing is perfect for an intimate, yet memorable event.

Free Services Offered:

•    Venue recommendations and event planning support
•    Dining and activity suggestions
•    Custom event experiences, tailored to your needs

Discover Stillwater: A Picturesque River Town

Located along the St. Croix River, Stillwater is a charming town known for its scenic beauty and rich history. With a vibrant downtown, over 100 shops, wineries, and a variety of lodging options, Stillwater offers an unforgettable backdrop for your event.

Free Services Offered:

•    Group activity ideas and venue suggestions
•    Free visitor guides and travel planning assistance
•    Recommendations for local attractions and dining

Minneapolis Northwest Tourism: Vibrant Urban Amenities

Comprising Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, and Maple Grove, Minneapolis Northwest offers everything you need for a successful event—20 hotels, more than 50,000 square feet of meeting space, and a wide variety of local attractions, restaurants, and outdoor activities.

Free Services Offered:

•    A grant program to offset event costs
•    Site visit coordination and group lodging arrangements
•    Area information, welcome packets, and assistance with entertainment and dining options

Twin Cities Gateway: Minutes from the Action

The Twin Cities Gateway region, made up of northwest suburbs like Anoka, Blaine, and Coon Rapids, is a dynamic location with excellent event venues. From the National Sports Center to TPC Twin Cities, there’s no shortage of spaces to host your event.

Free Services Offered:

•    Comprehensive website with all the event planning info you need
•    Hotel, venue, and activity recommendations
•    Dining suggestions and help with finding group tours

Discover St. Louis Park: Big City Access with Small Town Charm

Located just 15 minutes from downtown Minneapolis, St. Louis Park offers a mix of urban amenities and small-town charm. With seven hotels, numerous dining options, and easy access to iconic venues like Target Field and Target Center, St. Louis Park is a prime event location.

Free Services Offered:

•    Venue recommendations and bid presentation materials
•    Liaison services with hotels and community assets
•    Site visit coordination and transportation grant opportunities

Explore Hutchinson: A Warm Welcome and Scenic Charm

Known as “Minnesota’s Hometown,” Hutchinson offers a relaxing atmosphere and an ideal location for events. With comfortable hotels, scenic parks, and recreational activities, Hutchinson is perfect for those seeking a peaceful, yet well-connected event setting.

Free Services Offered:

•    Visitor guides with details on lodging, dining, parks, and activities
•    Meeting and event facilities recommendations

Willmar Lakes Area CVB: Lakes, Golf, and More

With over 100 lakes, 81 golf holes, and a variety of year-round attractions, Willmar Lakes is a fantastic destination for any event. This area features charming resorts, hotels, and plenty of local restaurants to satisfy every need.

Free Services Offered:

•    Assistance with meeting space coordination and lodging
•    Special event and group tour coordination
•    Access to community resources for your event

St. Cloud Area Convention & Visitors Bureau: Gateway to the Great Outdoors

Located just over an hour northwest of Minneapolis, St. Cloud is a hub for outdoor recreation, with parks, trails, and lakes nearby. With the River’s Edge Convention Center offering 60,000 square feet of exhibit space, it’s an excellent location for any size event.

Free Services Offered:

•    Housing arrangements and event promotion support
•    Tour programs and collateral material design
•    On-site registration help and digital visitor services

Minnesota’s Convention and Visitors Bureaus provide essential resources and support that can elevate your event planning experience. Whether it's venue recommendations, transportation coordination, grant programs, or activity suggestions, Minnesota CVBs offer a wealth of complimentary services to ensure your event runs smoothly and stays within budget. Taking advantage of these services gives you the home field advantage you need to host a memorable and successful event. For a complete list of Minnesota Convention and Visitors Bureaus, check out our FREE meetingpages Minnesota Convention and Visitors Bureaus Directory now!

Casey Romano, Publisher | meetingpages | casey@meetingpages.com

Creator of digital platform meetingpages complete event planning directory and resource delivering leads and national, regional and local exposure for event venues, suppliers and destinations in MN, WI, IA & CO markets. In her free time, this 19 year industry veteran enjoys dance, group fitness, and training her young golden retriever dog in competition obedience and confirmation.

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