1. Dan Young, Lifetime Achievement honoree.
2. Attendees seated at Aria.
3. Bobby Hart, MNM+E; emcee John Cosgrove, VoiceHive; and Anne DeWolfe, MNM+E.
4. Fabulous Catering’s noodle stir fry.
5. Veggie dip cups.
6. Mintáhoe’s dessert setup.
7. Liquor-infused cupcakes.
8. Kersten McManamon and Katie Lofrano, Discover St. Louis Park.
9. Kelley Mahowald and John Groen, Canterbury Park.
10. Bridget Borden, Bridget Borden Events; and Jenna Squires, American Lung Association.
11. Saltee.
12. Dave Musolf, Meetings + Events Media Group; Dan O’Neill, Bloomington CVB; John Connelly, National Sports Center; and Bill Perrine, Prestige Global Meeting Source.
13. Devie Hagen, Élan Speakers Agency.
14. Jodi Collen, Best Special Events Planner.
15. Dan O’Neill.
16. Meggan Reinoso and Athena Demel, Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge.
17. Frank Soukup and Rylie Heilman, Grand View Lodge Golf Resort & Spa.
18. Champagne service by Enticing Entertainment.
19. Michelle Furrer and Matt Reinartz, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory.
20. Kristen Babcock, Radisson Blu Mall of America.
Three hundred meeting and event professionals gathered at Aria on March 31 for MNM+E’s 14th annual Best of Minnesota awards. Guests walked the red carpet (sponsored by Canterbury Park Catering & Events), posed at the Snapz Photo Booth and sipped bubbly from an aerial bartender (sponsored by Roseville Visitors Association). Saltee filled the main room with live music.
Local refreshments from Surly and Cannon River Winery were served, while Fabulous Catering’s heavy appetizer spread included mini lobster rolls and noodle stir fry in takeout containers. Mintáhoe Catering & Events’ decadent dessert selection ranged from cake pops to cupcakes. Attendees left with gift bags (sponsored by Mall of America and Bloomington CVB) that contained a signature DoubleTree by Hilton cookie, among other goodies. Meet Minneapolis sponsored the event’s registration. AVEX and Festivities provided the A/V (including a light-up curtain behind the stage) and décor, respectively
The key to maximizing success (and limiting risk) is for marketers to better understand how their audiovisual team works.
It is almost event day. You are excited, but you are also stressed.
You have spent the last few months preparing for your live stream: that big product launch, quarterly Town Hall, or video conference that your boss needs to go well. Your marketing and communications teams have been working hard, and everything appears ready.
In the wake of a total global crisis, the Meet Minneapolis team got to work.
Connecting the Community
Last summer, as communities across the state reeled, the CVB launched the “We Need Us!” campaign as a rally cry and reminder on the importance of supporting the businesses that make Minneapolis so unique.
“It really came from this question of, ‘How can we support our community that’s hurting in so many ways and make locals feel comfortable making those choices?’” says senior vice president of destination branding & strategy Courtney Ries.
Nearly 700 MPI members gathered in Grapevine for Meeting Professionals International’s World Education Congress (WEC).