Meetings: Minnesota's Hospitality Journal

Venue Highlight: The Ice House at Grand View Lodge

Visit the Blog once a month for Venue Highlight. Here, we look at different Minnesota properties, often reaching back into our archives and revisiting a Location Location or Spaces department from the magazine.

How Minnesotan is this? This year, Grand View Lodge started offering an ice house as a place to hold your meeting. Lil' Grand View on Gull sits out on Gull Lake behind Grand View. It's twice the size of a regluar fish house, with eight bunks and bathroom. A conference table drops from the ceiling (easily out of the way when you want to fish), its Wi-Fi enabled, has a TV and a mini kitchen, and room service is delivered right to the door.

Next year, Grand View has plans add two or three more similar fish houses - perfect for breakout sessions! And at less than $300 for 24 hours, which includes all the fishing gear, it's quite the deal.

How clever! Watch the below WCCO video for more information.

--Amanda Fretheim Gates
Managing Editor

Weekly Roundup: Food & Wine Show, Light Rail changes, James Beard news & more!

Happy Oscar weekend everyone! Here's your news:

+ If you haven't bought your tickets to the Minnesota Monthly Food & Wine Show, do it now. It's next weekend already! Find some really good, affordable wine.

+ A few weeks ago Dara talked about how Duluth is becoming a destination for beer tourism.

+ Hey Sid, we agree: "A new covered stadium in this area would not only be the home to two preseason games, eight regular-season games and any playoff games for the Vikings, but it would also allow this area to compete for many national events."

+ The light rail is getting a new name and new logo.

+ Grand View Lodge was named to Conde Nast's Top 150 Mainland Resorts in the U.S.

+ Did you see the awesome list of Minnesota chefs and restaurants on the semifinalist list for the James Beard Awards? Finalists will be announced next month.

+ The Heavy Table announced their Silver Whisk Award nominations for Best Chef, Best Purveyor and Best New Establishment.

+ On Feb. 11 executive chef of Sofitel Minneapolis, Mark Crane, and director of food and beverage, Mathieu Riviere, were inducted into the prestigious Chaine des Rotisseurs. The Chaine des Rotisseurs is the oldest and largest food and wine society in the world that dates back to Paris in 1248.

+ Effective March 5, Christopher P. DiCarlo will assume the role of president & director of The Museum of Russian Art.

-- Amanda Fretheim Gates
Managing Editor

Hyatt Regency Minneapolis Liquidation Sale

Because of its ongoing renovations, the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis is having a liquidation sale for all of its old furniture and fixtures. Items of interest include Sealy pillow top full size beds, granite top nightstands, 4 drawer dressers, desk chairs, writing desks, upholstered chairs, artwork, lamps and floor lamps, cocktail tables, coffee tables, mirrors, as well as rollaway and Murphy beds, lobby furnishings, 3,000 stack chairs, granite vanities with hardware, drapes and much more.

The sale opens tomorrow, Feb. 23, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Sunday 12 p.m to 5 p.m.), and will continue until everything is sold.

-- Amanda Fretheim Gates
Managing Editor

Hospitality Around the World

Each month, Hospitality Around the World will look outside of Minnesota and share hospitality news from the rest of the United States and beyond.

+ After years of debate, Tupper Lake in New York, which has seen a rapid decrease in tourism business as well as permanent residents, will get a new upscale resort, the Adirondack Club. While environmentalists worried that such a resort would hurt the land, many locals believe a new resort will help the ailing town through more year-round tourism and jobs.

+ Can you throw a frisbee on an L.A. beach? Check the updated regulations first.

+ Did you see the JetBlue Red Sox plane?

+ I had no idea The Biggest Loser had its own chain of spas. They have hopes for 20 spas in the next three years.

+ Have you witnessed the cigar bar trend in luxury hotels?

+ Martha, Wolfgang & the First Lady: America's 50 Most Powerful People in Food. No surprises here, really.

+ Some examples of how hotels are changing to accommodate the younger business traveler.

+ The Kalahari Resort in Ohio just unveiled its $22 million expanded convention center.

+ In 2011, airlines did a bang-up job of arriving on time -- one of the industry's best years. Did you experience this?

+ You can now find Aloft hotels on four continents.

-- Amanda Fretheim Gates
Managing Editor

 

Weekly Roundup: Mall of America news, Sports tidbits, the Purple One & more.

Hope everyone enjoys the nice weekend before the snow flies on Monday. Here's your news:

+ Over the last year Mall of America security officers responded to over 113,500 calls for service and acted in response to 4,000 reports. Thirty-six accomplishment awards were presented at the 2011 Annual All Hands Meeting honoring the Security Officers of Mall of America for their outstanding performance, consistent leadership and contribution to Mall safety and security initiatives. Among those presented were four life saving awards, 20 achievement awards and 12 guest service awards. Very cool!

+ Kary over at Kane Co Conversations has some interesting tips for businesses using Pinterest.

+ We're the State of Hockey, so it's only natural we'd have a documentary made locally. Eat Sleep Hockey, about two local high school hockey families, premieres Feb. 29. Proceeds from the premiere benefit the local schools.

+ Did you know the Minnesota Stars soccer team has its own brew?

+ ISES MSP announced the MN Star Awards nominees in really cool video. Are you a nominee?

+ Big talk surrounding the reuniting of The Revolution on Sunday, a concert at First Avenue to benefit the American Heart Association. Of course no one can talk about the concert without mentioning the possibility of a Prince sighting...

+ Mall of America partnered with Google to map the interior of the mall with Google maps. While I could find my way around the mall blindfolded, now visitors can know exactly where they are in the mall and where they're going. Google and Mall of America even made a very cute Valentine's Day video to demonstrate the new tool:

--Amanda Fretheim Gates
Managing Editor

Eco-Focused: Minneapolis Promotes Its Green Efforts

Early this afternoon, the Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC) and Meet Minneapolis welcomed us and other media to a press conference at the MCC to celebrate the addition of a new display in the MCC's lobby. The display promotes the city's status as one of America's most eco-focused cities and highlights the environmental efforts of the Minneapolis Convention Center and the Minneapolis area. "Minneapolis is committed to sustainability in every sense of the word," said Mayor R.T. Rybak in a release. "A healthy environment and sustainable future are top priority. The ecologically focused display at the Minneapolis Convention Center will allow visitors to see the progress we're making and understand why Minneapolis is known for its great quality of life." The display features a large map highlighting 15 eco-focused projects and partnerships for the city (like Nice Ride Minnesota, Homegrown Minnesota and the Downtown Improvement District) and touch screens that allow visitors to access more detailed information. Next time you are at the convention center, stop by and check out this new addition.

Left photo: Jeff Johnson, executive director of the MCC (at podium), Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak (left) and Melvin Tennant, president and CEO of Meet Minneapolis, each talked about the city's green initiatives. Right photo: The new display.

--Ellie M. Bayrd
Associate Editor

[Photos by Amanda Fretheim Gates]

Multimedia of the Month: This American Life takes on Conventions

Each month, Multimedia of the Month spotlights photos, video and more that capture our attention.

OK, this is a flashback, like waaaayyy back. But last week our friend Joan Eisenstodt tweeted the link to a This American Life broadcast from 1997 about Conventions. And because I could listen to Ira Glass talk all day every day (I wish he narrated my American life), I took a listen. And even though it's 15 years old, it still resonated. Behavior at conventions hasn't really changed and to me that was interesting (and humorous). Booth bimbos, costumes, campaign speeches - all make appearances in this broadcast.

The broadcast is in four parts; hear from: an employee at a convention hotel; a Dark Shadows fan at the show's convention; a dishwasher (and author) at the National Restaurant Association convention (with an appearance by Bob Dole); and a touching story about how a man met his love at a neighboring convention (computers v. psychiatry, no less) in the same building. Their love story was sadly cut short (but what a great Valentine's story).

So, if you have some time, take a listen - in full or in parts. It's kind of fun.

--Amanda Fretheim Gates
Managing Editor

Weekly Roundup: Airport news, new restaurants, (lack of) romance in Duluth and more.

Wow, hello winter, am I right?! It's been a slower news week, or at least I've been so busy working on the spring issue, I may have missed all the news. Here are few bits of news I did find:

+ Lancer Catering is expanding.

+ The lovely ladies of Style Architects have moved into a new space in Minneapolis North Loop... plus did we mention they've added wedding planning to their already-generous repertoire? Congrats ladies! (See some of their expertise in our winter issue.)

+ The Business Journal reports that more Delta jobs might move from MSP to Atlanta.

+ Maybe it's just me, but I actually think a weekend up in Duluth can be very romantic. Foursquare says otherwise, listing the city as one of the least romantic places in the country.

+ PC World ranked the 40 busiest airports in tech-friendliness. MSP Airport came in the top 20: "Strong outlet and USB port numbers at the gates give MSP travelers cause to cheer; wireless speeds are weak, however."

+ Dara announced the news of a new restaurant, Sparks, opening up in the Bryn Mawr neighborhood.

+ Eat Street Social opened last night.

+ Don't forget you can get Minnesota travel tips, stories and news over at Minnesota Journeys.

-- Amanda Fretheim Gates
Managing Editor

Event of the Month: MPI iConnect

Each month, Event of the Month spotlights a meeting or event, big or small, happening in Minnesota.

Associations for hospitality professionals offer chances to connect and learn each month. Today, we look at the next big event on the horizon for Meeting Professionals International Minnesota Chapter.

On Feb. 16, the chapter presents iConnect: Tomorrow’s Solutions for Today’s Meeting Professionals, a day of networking, speaker sessions and round-table discussions. The all-day education event will run from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m at Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center.

The day kicks off with Todd Hunt, business humorist, answering the question, “What Time is Noon Lunch? Maintaining Your Sanity in the Wonderful World of Meetings.” Hunt will offer comical, yet helpful, tips for improving communication. The day will continue with sessions on a variety of topics:

Professional Development

• “It’s a Great Day for a BreakAway," by Tony Schiller
• “Do You Believe in Miracles? Lessons in Team-Building, Leadership and Motivation,” by Ross Bernstein
•  “Know More! Reputations Your Personal Brand Can Make or Break Your Business Brand,” by Sam Richter

Senior Planer Topics

• “Hotel Trends, Challenges and Solutions,” by Jennifer Brown
• “Strategic Meetings Management Blueprint for Success,” by Jennifer Brown
• Roundtables, featuring Donna Patrick, Brenda Erickson and Kathleen Haase

Technology & Social Media

• “Marketing Your Event Digitally,” by Tyler Olson
• “Capture, Connect and Communicate with Content Marketing,” by Jessica Levin
• “Effective Use of Mobile Apps for Meetings and Events,” by Jessica Levin

Learn more about the event and registration here.

FYI, the chapter also has a Mingle planned for tomorrow, Feb. 8, at Pittsburgh Blue in Edina (4:30-6:30 p.m.).

 --Molly Schelper
Editorial Intern

[Photo courtesy of Earle Brown Heritage Center]

Weekly Roundup: Go Red, Minneapolis accolades, hotel news & more!

Are you ready for some football? Or some commercials? The Puppy Bowl? Or maybe Downton Abbey? Whatever you plan to do this weekend, we hope it's a good one! Here's your news:

+ Today is the American Heart Association's Wear Red Day to raise awareness for cardiovascular disease. Next Wednesday, Minnesota Monthly and EuroNest are hosting a Girls' Night Out, proceeds going to the cause. Get your ticket now!

+ Because Orchestra Hall will be under construction this summer, Sommerfest moves to Ted Mann Concert Hall at the U of M.

+ As always, Dara got the scoop on the new Stewart Woodman restaurant, Birdhouse, which will take over the former Duplex space.

+ Next week's ISES meeting has been moved to Bayview Event Center.

+ Savvy Sassy Moms named The Depot Minneapolis "a fantastic family hotel."

+ Minneapolis stayed at No. 3 for the nation's most literate cities.

+ On the list for America's "10 Youngest Cities," Minneapolis came in at No. 4.

+ It's so cool that the James J. Hill Library (the site of my nuptials) is joining the nightlight fray.

+ We meant to mention this last week, but the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis announced a special “Blizzard Rate” of  $69 through March 31, 2012. Based on availability, the rate is offered to all commuters on Mondays through Fridays if there are at least three inches of snow predicted. Use the code MLSNOW.

-- Amanda Fretheim Gates
Managing Editor