While city centers receive plenty of attention when it is time to plan meetings, outlying suburbs of metropolitan corridors often have new and exciting gathering spots at the ready. Frequently within 10 or 15 miles from the heart of downtown, suburban venues provide fresh spaces for attendees and creative options for planners.
Planner Hana Chughtai of Hana April Inc., a creative agency in Eden Prairie specializing in luxury design experiences across the globe, explains the appeal of suburban locations. She says, “Many are easily accessible via major highways, streamlining travel for attendees and enhancing overall participation,” adding that these outlying locations might even have the peace and quiet needed for greater productivity. “The quieter environment of the suburbs creates fewer distractions, fostering better focus and engagement during meetings or presentations,” she says. “Plus, they often boast nearby scenic landscapes and natural spaces, creating a more relaxed atmosphere that can enhance networking and creativity.”
Kalsey Beach, president at St. Louis Park’s Do Good Events, agrees with Chughtai, and talks up the many options surrounding Minneapolis and St. Paul. “We are spoiled in the Twin Cities by incredible suburban locations that have easy access to downtown, stress-free parking, beautiful meeting rooms, high-end guest rooms, unique amenities, and great hospitality,” she says. Citing the many planner-friendly options available for gatherings in the Twin Cities suburbs of Bloomington, Eagan, Edina, Maple Grove, and Wayzata, Beach notes, “It is really about finding the right fit for your event’s mission and vibe, and also what will provide attendees with the best experience. I often say that one way to get attendees to events is to remove hurdles, and for some events and audiences, that means keeping your location in the suburbs.”
Blossoming Bloomington
The fourth-largest city in Minnesota, the suburb of Bloomington is perched on the banks of the Minnesota River and known for being home to the nation’s largest enclosed shopping center, the four-level Mall of America. This top destination includes an indoor amusement park, aquarium, 13-screen movie theater, 500 retail stores, and more than 50 restaurants and bars. According to Andrea Naab, senior director of corporate and retail events at Richfield-based electronics retailer Best Buy, Bloomington is an ideal suburban location for business meetings. “Our team hosts several meetings annually in Bloomington, and we find it to be a vibrant hub that offers the perfect blend of convenience and entertainment,” she says.
The city also has large hotels to accommodate meetings. Adjoining the Mall of America is the JW Marriott Minneapolis Mall of America, with 19,000 square feet of meeting space. The Radisson Blu Mall of America has 14 meeting rooms and two ballrooms, with 26,300 square feet of meeting space. Nearby is InterContinental Minneapolis–St. Paul Airport, the only hotel directly connected to the airport, which contains 30,000 square feet of meeting space.
In Naab’s view, a commitment to innovation sets Bloomington apart. “The city is constantly evolving, with new and exciting venues and entertainment options debuting regularly, greatly enhancing the experience for out-of-state visitors,” she says. “The abundance of shopping and diverse recreational activities nearby is a significant draw, allowing attendees to enjoy a dynamic mix of leisure and business without having to venture far—when you also factor in the easy airport access that makes travel seamless, Bloomington truly stands out as an ideal destination for meetings and events.”
Enjoyable Eagan
Brent Cory, president and CEO of Enjoy Eagan, describes the suburb as a vibrant, accessible, and versatile destination for hosting events. Situated south of St. Paul on the southern bank of the Minnesota River, the city of Eagan is a centrally located option. “We combine the convenience of a metropolitan hub with the charm of a suburban community,” Cory says. Eagan is a five- to 10-minute drive from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and Mall of America, and just 15 to 20 minutes from downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul. When it comes to hosting groups, the city has you covered, with 19 hotels and 2,024 guest rooms.
Cory says that Eagan has impressive meeting spaces perfect for events of all sizes. He points to the Eagan Community Center, which can host up to 350 people in its event spaces and has beautiful views of Eagan Central Park, as well as access to nearby trails. Sports- and luxury-minded attendees might enjoy the Nordic-inspired architecture of the Omni Viking Lakes Hotel, which is near the Twin Cities Orthopedics (TCO) Performance Center and TCO Stadium, the world headquarters and training facility of the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings. The hotel was designed with meetings in mind, and features 35,000 square feet of venue space and cutting-edge technology.
And do not forget food and fun, Cory says. “We have many amazing restaurants that have beautiful meeting spaces, such as Mason Jar Kitchen & Bar, Union 32 Craft House, and plenty more. For team-building experiences, we recommend going to Chip’s Pickleball Club for fun and competition.”
Elegant Edina
Just a few minutes’ drive from downtown Minneapolis, Edina is a first-ring suburb that prides itself on high-end shopping and dining, along with abundant parks and recreational facilities. It is home to the nation’s first indoor mall, Southdale Center, which has undergone a major renovation to bring in a new slate of world-class brands, including Burberry, Rolex, Coach, Kate Spade, Marc Jacobs, and Gucci.
Galleria Edina, another luxury shopping space in the suburb, is just blocks away, with stores including Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., David Yurman, Tumi, and Eileen Fisher. There is also a connected hotel, The Westin Edina Galleria. With 9,100 square feet of flexible meeting and event space, 225 guest rooms, six suites, and free parking, it is a preferred venue for meetings in the suburb.
Naab says in addition to providing plenty of shopping opportunities and lodging options, Edina has many memorable and engaging choices for group activities. She sings the praises of Puttshack, an upscale, tech-infused minigolf experience with a location at Southdale Center. “It is a must-visit venue if you have not experienced it yet,” Naab says. “With its unique blend of minigolf and interactive surprises, your group is guaranteed to have a blast while sharing plenty of laughs.” The venue features private dining areas and group packages.
Marvelous Maple Grove
As the city that dubs itself the “Restaurant Capital of Minnesota,” Maple Grove is expectedly full of excellent group dining options. Here, planners can choose from among nearly 150 restaurants, including family-owned businesses, chains, and hidden gems. “For the right size meeting group, Maple Grove is the logical choice,” says Anne Anderson, general manager of Experience Maple Grove. “Due to our dining and entertainment options, we have the second-largest retail footprint in the state, second only to Mall of America, and it is accompanied by a beautiful park system.”
The city touts itself as a retail and cultural center in the northwest region of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area, and is ready to accommodate guests with more than 1,000 hotel rooms at 10 hotel properties. While its hotels cater to meeting groups up to 150, the Rush Creek Golf Club can accommodate up to 300 attendees. For team-building time, Pints & Paddle is a 10-court pickleball facility that has become a popular venue for corporate meetings and events.
“We are a growing suburb that is a safe and protected city in which to live, work, and visit,” Anderson says. “Thoughtful planning by our city and property developers has allowed the city to shine when it comes to easy access and navigation throughout the community.” Maple Grove is also easy to access from other parts of the metro area, conveniently located along Interstate 94 and just 20 minutes from downtown Minneapolis and 40 minutes from downtown St. Paul.
Wayzata Wows
In the state with 10,000 lakes (and then some), there are many lakeside villages to explore. But there is one that is especially popular among western suburbanites—Wayzata, which calls itself “The Jewel of Lake Minnetonka.” Taylor Stille, marketing manager at Wayzata’s Hotel Landing, says, “We are a lakeside community known for a blend of natural beauty, luxurious amenities, and vibrant culture.” She notes that its picturesque setting gives meeting planners a refreshing alternative to the urban landscape, with abundant outdoor and lakefront spaces.
Hotel Landing has 92 rooms and suites, as well as 4,200 square feet of versatile function space. “Designed for a range of gatherings, from corporate board meetings to elegant social events, our meeting spaces offer seamless, customized setups to enhance productivity and atmosphere,” Stille says. “For larger groups, we can offer expansive gatherings on the Great Lawn.” This outdoor garden venue accommodates up to 400 attendees and provides over 12,000 square feet of space.
There are plenty of dining options throughout Wayzata, both at Hotel Landing and nearby. “Wayzata is a haven for food lovers, boasting many unique restaurants, all within walking distance of the hotel,” Stille says. In addition to the hotel’s restaurant—Ninetwentyfive—which can accommodate groups of up to 140, there is the lakeside 6Smith, with five private dining spaces, including a rooftop; the coastal-inspired CōV Wayzata, with lake views and private dining space that accommodates 30 people standing; and the classic Gianni’s Steakhouse, which has a 36-seat dining space with a dedicated entrance and private bar, as well as its Wine Room that seats 30.
bloomingtonmn.org
eaganmn.com
experiencemaplegrove.com
exploreedina.com
wayzatachamber.com