Part of the Plan — What a Minnesota CVB Can Do for You

What if you had an assistant who was an expert on your Minnesota event destination? Better yet, what if you had an entire team of pros who could make arrangements, book venues, assist with marketing, and just generally take care of a lot of details of your event? And what if that team did all that work at no cost to you? Guess what? You do! Many Minnesota Convention and Visitor’s Bureaus offer a wide range of helpful, valuable services for meeting and event planners that are absolutely complimentary. Isn’t it time you took advantage of all they have to offer?

The Twin Cities metro area boasts an abundance of surrounding communities that are vibrant, beautiful, and filled with fun places to visit. Many of them are just minutes from the buzz of downtown, yet far enough away to give your attendees peace and quiet to work and rest when needed.

The pros at Discover St. Louis Park offer you complimentary services such as venue recommendations, coordination of site visits, welcome packets, transportation grant opportunities, sample itineraries, and much more. It’s a pretty sweet deal coming from a place with big city amenities and small town charm.

Not far from there, you’ll want to check in with the Bloomington CVB. Home to the world-famous Mall of America®, 9300 hotel rooms, and the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport, there’s no shortage of places to meet and things to do. Plus, to make your event stress-free, they’ll coordinate site visits, help with publicity, offer discounts on rental cars and vans, and even assist you in finding vendors for entertainment, catering, and AV services.

South of the cities, the Lakeville CVB team is happy to help with recommendations for caterers, meeting facilities, photographers, and transportation. The recipients of five employee STAR HOSPITALITY AWARDS, this crew really knows how to make a group feel welcome!

Comprised of nine different north metro communities, Twin Cities Gateway is the pathway to a memorable event. With 22 lodging properties, a vast menu of dining choices, and activities that range from golf, to theater, to waterparks, this crew is the perfect resource for local specials on lodging, dining, shopping, and events in their communities.

Just minutes from downtown St. Paul, the Roseville Visitors Association is happy to help you locate accommodations with corporate rates for groups of ten or more. They’ll secure room blocks, set up site inspections, assist with registrations, and even give you attraction information for pre- and post-conference activities.

Known for its crystal clear lakes, wooded hills, fishing, boating, golfing, bike trails, and scenic byways, Central Minnesota is a destination worth your while.

Fifteen charming communities are represented by the Willmar Lakes Area CVB where the staff works with you to tailor an event just right for your group. Meeting coordination, arrangements for lodging, spouse programs, special events, and tours are just a few of the services available.

Planning your event couldn’t go smoother when you consult with the pros at the St. Cloud Area CVB. With an accommodating staff eager to offer personal planning assistance including bid proposals, site inspections, event promotion, housing arrangements, registration assistance, tour programs, supplier referrals, and collateral materials, how could you go wrong?

Known as the Land of the Dancing Sky, woodland magnificence, sparkling lakes, and small town hospitality await you in an area revered for its natural beauty, tranquility, and year-round activities.

The Detroit Lakes Tourism Bureau is happy to help you create an unforgettable event. From recommending area hotels and lakeside lodging, to arranging group tours, to setting you up with space at the newly refurbished Historic Holmes Theater which accommodates up to 800 people, the pleasure is all theirs.

A variety of landscapes grace the southern region of the state, including grasslands, rich farmland, scenic valleys and wooded bluffs. Explore historic sites and cozy communities populated with antique shops, notable architecture, and ethnic festivals.

The experienced staff at Visit Mankato will help you find the perfect spot for your event. Services such as lodging coordination, event registration, welcome receptions and group tours are just a few of the many valuable perks they offer.

Awash with history, the folks at the Red Wing VCB will work with you to coordinate all the details of your event in their picturesque river town. Get guidance on booking an historic hotel, exploring a wealth of attractions like paddle boats and the 1904 railroad depot, or finding delicious dining at one of the nearly 50 restaurants in town.

With a small grant program to assist with the costs of advertising, meeting space, bus tours and other convention needs, the Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce + Tourism couldn’t be more welcoming. Be sure to also ask for help with competitive bid presentation, room block assistance, welcome bags, visitor guides, maps, coupons, and group tours to local attractions.

Featuring year-round recreational activities, first-class lodging with more than 600 rooms, and venues large enough to accommodate as many as 1200 people, the Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau can handle your needs. Look to them for lodging rates/bids, business and services liaison services, Visitor’s Guide Book, coupons, maps, and tour guide services. 

Meet in this Midwestern community and the team at the Marshall CVB will be happy to guide you where you need to go. But don’t think small town translates into small spaces. Check out the National Guard Armory, the SMSU Conference Center, or the Marshall Golf Club for groups of up to 1200.

Consult with the group at Explore Hutchinson to learn all you need to know about “Minnesota’s Hometown.” Get guidance on dining, lodging, meeting facilities, arts and culture, things to do, and so much more.

No matter where your event takes you, part of your plan should always include the local CVB.