3 Things to Consider When Choosing a Destination

When choosing a location for your meeting, what do you look for? Meeting room capacity? Convention center layout? Audiovisual capabilities? Whatif the experience that attendees have outside of the meeting is just as important as the meeting itself? Attendees will leave with an impression, and the meeting isn’t the only factor. But what else should you be looking for? Here are three things to consider when choosing the destination of your next meeting.

1. Development

What’s new? People are drawn to seeing and experiencing the newest, brightest, and best. Whether it’s a brand-new football stadium or a reimagined world-class museum, people will be looking for things to do and see after the meeting is over. Every city has something to do, but what makes your chosen destination different? Minneapolis embodies development, as it’s currently in the midst of a major transformation to build an even bolder, greater, and more inviting destination. It’s all part of the Minneapolis Big Build, a $2 billion project that’s creating iconic new facilities, welcoming green spaces, 1,500 new hotel rooms, and upgraded infrastructure in the heart of the city and beyond. A new website, MplsBuild.com, highlights more than 20 projects that are reshaping the city, including U.S. Bank Stadium, The Commons, Nicollet Mall, Target Center, Walker Art Center, Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, and more.

2. Accessibility

In order to experience the city outside of the meeting, getting around has to be easy. Transportation to and from major attractions, restaurants, and hotels is key. Minneapolis is incredibly easy to navigate, with multiple transportation options that are affordable, simple, and convenient. Hop on a bus or light rail train operated by Metro Transit, one of the largest public transportation systems in the country. If you feel like moving, take advantage of Nice Ride, Minneapolis’ bike share program. From spring until fall, rent a bike for as little as 30 minutes or as long as three days and explore the city on two wheels. Of course, Uber and Lyft are both very prevalent downtown and can be accessed with a click of a button on your phone. Navigating downtown Minneapolis is easy and quick, allowing attendees to take their experience beyond the meeting.

3. A Unique Convention Center

What does the convention center have that others don’t? What are people going to remember about it? For Minneapolis, the answer is easy. The Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC), the largest convention center in the Upper Midwest, has a range of new improvements to support the notion that it’s not just a convention center — it’s a relationship building. As part of the focus on building relationships, the MCC is committed to sustainability and helping customers achieve their sustainability goals for meetings and conventions. This includes a no-waste mentality, as well as a focus on energy and water efficiency. The MCC has achieved Level One certification to the ASTM Standard pertaining to the Evaluation and Selection of Venues for Environmentally Sustainable Meetings, Events, Trade Shows, and Conferences. On the amenities side, a major addition to the MCC is the Craft Bar and Lounge, which operates in partnership with the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild. It's one of the only convention center bars in the country. This collaboration means convention center visitors can experience a rotation of local craft brews and bites in the perfect setting to continue conversations after the day’s sessions are done. What better way to send attendees off with a great impression?