Minnesota’s capital city of St. Paul hugs the Mississippi River and boasts some 2,200 hotel rooms within walking distance of the Saint Paul RiverCentre—the city’s convention center—which is connected to Grand Casino Arena, Roy Wilkins Auditorium, and the city’s 5-mile enclosed skyway system. This winter, St. Paul will host the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship, an 11-day showdown of the top under-20 ice hockey teams from nine visiting nations and across the U.S., with an anticipated 200,000 fans in attendance. That noted, the city is more than a home base for mega events. Minnesota Meetings + Events sat down with Jaimee Lucke Hendrikson, president and CEO of Visit Saint Paul, to discuss how her organization works with planners and why the Saintly City on the banks of one of the great rivers of the world is so attractive to meeting and event planners.
M+E: How does Visit Saint Paul work with meeting planners considering bringing their gatherings to the city?
JLH: We help facilitate the event, make sure it is a success, and get attendees out and experiencing St. Paul. Our team is super well connected and knowledgeable about the amenities in the city. They will set up a site visit, take that meeting planner around, and say, “Here are some event venues to look at that would fit your event. Let’s tour some hotels, get hotel rates, and figure out which hotels are going to be the best for you.” Our mission is to get people to St. Paul, because once they’re here, we know they’re going to love it.
M+E: What do you consider the vibe of St. Paul?
JLH: I think it is welcoming and hospitable. At Saint Paul RiverCentre, the professionalism—plus the high level of customer service and food service—shines through in the team of people dedicated to making your event a success. Our Visit Saint Paul team also connects with city businesses attractive to planners. I think groups really come here and feel welcomed, connected, and at home.
M+E: Why should planners choose St. Paul?
JLH: One thing we hear from meeting planners as they choose a host city is they really like that you can come into Saint Paul RiverCentre, be right in the center of downtown, and kind of take over the city—be the big fish here. St. Paul also has a walkable downtown with great hotels and restaurants nearby.
