• The 2015 Best of Minnesota Readers’ Choice Awards

     
    BY Photos by Emily J. Davis
    FROM THE Summer 2016 ISSUE
     

    1. Dan Young, Lifetime Achievement honoree. 

    <p>1. Dan Young, Lifetime Achievement honoree.&nbsp;</p>

  • The 2015 Best of Minnesota Readers’ Choice Awards

     
    BY Photos by Emily J. Davis
    FROM THE Summer 2016 ISSUE
     

    2. Attendees seated at Aria. 

    <p>2. Attendees seated at Aria.&nbsp;</p>

  • The 2015 Best of Minnesota Readers’ Choice Awards

     
    BY Photos by Emily J. Davis
    FROM THE Summer 2016 ISSUE
     

    3. Bobby Hart, MNM+E; emcee John Cosgrove, VoiceHive; and Anne DeWolfe, MNM+E. 

    <p>3. Bobby Hart, MNM+E; emcee John Cosgrove, VoiceHive; and Anne DeWolfe, MNM+E.&nbsp;</p>

  • The 2015 Best of Minnesota Readers’ Choice Awards

     
    BY Photos by Emily J. Davis
    FROM THE Summer 2016 ISSUE
     

    4. Fabulous Catering’s noodle stir fry. 

    <p>4. Fabulous Catering’s noodle stir fry.&nbsp;</p>

  • The 2015 Best of Minnesota Readers’ Choice Awards

     
    BY Photos by Emily J. Davis
    FROM THE Summer 2016 ISSUE
     

    5. Veggie dip cups. 

    <p>5. Veggie dip cups.&nbsp;</p>

  • The 2015 Best of Minnesota Readers’ Choice Awards

     
    BY Photos by Emily J. Davis
    FROM THE Summer 2016 ISSUE
     

    6. Mintáhoe’s dessert setup. 

    <p>6. Mintáhoe’s dessert setup.&nbsp;</p>

  • The 2015 Best of Minnesota Readers’ Choice Awards

     
    BY Photos by Emily J. Davis
    FROM THE Summer 2016 ISSUE
     

    7. Liquor-infused cupcakes. 

    <p>7. Liquor-infused cupcakes.&nbsp;</p>

  • The 2015 Best of Minnesota Readers’ Choice Awards

     
    BY Photos by Emily J. Davis
    FROM THE Summer 2016 ISSUE
     

    8. Kersten McManamon and Katie Lofrano, Discover St. Louis Park. 

    <p>8. Kersten McManamon and Katie Lofrano, Discover St. Louis Park.&nbsp;</p>

  • The 2015 Best of Minnesota Readers’ Choice Awards

     
    BY Photos by Emily J. Davis
    FROM THE Summer 2016 ISSUE
     

    9. Kelley Mahowald and John Groen, Canterbury Park. 

    <p>9. Kelley Mahowald and John Groen, Canterbury Park.&nbsp;</p>

  • The 2015 Best of Minnesota Readers’ Choice Awards

     
    BY Photos by Emily J. Davis
    FROM THE Summer 2016 ISSUE
     

    10. Bridget Borden, Bridget Borden Events; and Jenna Squires, American Lung Association. 

    <p>10. Bridget Borden, Bridget Borden Events; and Jenna Squires, American Lung Association.&nbsp;</p>

  • The 2015 Best of Minnesota Readers’ Choice Awards

     
    BY Photos by Emily J. Davis
    FROM THE Summer 2016 ISSUE
     

    11. Saltee. 

    <p>11. Saltee.&nbsp;</p>

  • The 2015 Best of Minnesota Readers’ Choice Awards

     
    BY Photos by Emily J. Davis
    FROM THE Summer 2016 ISSUE
     

    12. Dave Musolf, Meetings + Events Media Group; Dan O’Neill, Bloomington CVB; John Connelly, National Sports Center; and Bill Perrine, Prestige Global Meeting Source. 

    <p>12. Dave Musolf, Meetings + Events Media Group; Dan O’Neill, Bloomington CVB; John Connelly, National Sports Center; and Bill Perrine, Prestige Global Meeting Source.&nbsp;</p>

  • The 2015 Best of Minnesota Readers’ Choice Awards

     
    BY Photos by Emily J. Davis
    FROM THE Summer 2016 ISSUE
     

    13. Devie Hagen, Élan Speakers Agency. 

    <p>13. Devie Hagen, Élan Speakers Agency.&nbsp;</p>

  • The 2015 Best of Minnesota Readers’ Choice Awards

     
    BY Photos by Emily J. Davis
    FROM THE Summer 2016 ISSUE
     

    14. Jodi Collen, Best Special Events Planner. 

    <p>14. Jodi Collen, Best Special Events Planner.&nbsp;</p>

  • The 2015 Best of Minnesota Readers’ Choice Awards

     
    BY Photos by Emily J. Davis
    FROM THE Summer 2016 ISSUE
     

    15. Dan O’Neill. 

    <p>15. Dan O’Neill.&nbsp;</p>

  • The 2015 Best of Minnesota Readers’ Choice Awards

     
    BY Photos by Emily J. Davis
    FROM THE Summer 2016 ISSUE
     

    16. Meggan Reinoso and Athena Demel, Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge. 

    <p>16. Meggan Reinoso and Athena Demel, Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge.&nbsp;</p>

  • The 2015 Best of Minnesota Readers’ Choice Awards

     
    BY Photos by Emily J. Davis
    FROM THE Summer 2016 ISSUE
     

    17. Frank Soukup and Rylie Heilman, Grand View Lodge Golf Resort & Spa. 

    <p>17. Frank Soukup and Rylie Heilman, Grand View Lodge Golf Resort &amp; Spa.&nbsp;</p>

  • The 2015 Best of Minnesota Readers’ Choice Awards

     
    BY Photos by Emily J. Davis
    FROM THE Summer 2016 ISSUE
     

    18. Champagne service by Enticing Entertainment. 

    <p>18. Champagne service by Enticing Entertainment.&nbsp;</p>

  • The 2015 Best of Minnesota Readers’ Choice Awards

     
    BY Photos by Emily J. Davis
    FROM THE Summer 2016 ISSUE
     

    19. Michelle Furrer and Matt Reinartz, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. 

    <p>19. Michelle Furrer and Matt Reinartz, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory.&nbsp;</p>

  • The 2015 Best of Minnesota Readers’ Choice Awards

     
    BY Photos by Emily J. Davis
    FROM THE Summer 2016 ISSUE
     

    20. Kristen Babcock, Radisson Blu Mall of America. 

    <p>20. Kristen Babcock, Radisson Blu Mall of America.&nbsp;</p>

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

10 Things All Successful Meetings and Events Need

Any planner knows that reliable Wi-Fi and networking opportunities are necessary, but here are 10 equally crucial elements for executing successful meetings and events.

1. CLEAR OBJECTIVE Attendees need to know what they’ll gain from the event, and speakers need to know what to prepare for. Once you determine the objective, run all decisions regarding the event through that filter: Do the chosen speakers and breakout session topics all contribute to achieving your event’s purpose?

 
Signature Drink: Clover Club

INGREDIENTS:
→ 2 oz. London Dry Gin
→ 3/4 oz. raspberry syrup*
→ 3/4 oz. lemon juice
→ egg white
→ Angostura bitters

DIRECTIONS:
Place all ingredients into a shaker. Shake without ice. Add ice and shake hard. Double strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with three drops of Angostura bitters.

* P.S. Steak’s team adds grains of paradise, rose and other botanicals to its syrup.

 
Restaurant Recommendation: P.S. Steak Transforms a Historic Space

A Legendary Space Reborn as Chef-Curated Steakhouse