Meetings: Minnesota's Hospitality Journal

The Great Minnesota Get-Together

It's that time of year again, when summer sadly comes to an end, but luckily it never leaves us without an over the top send-off: the Minnesota State Fair. Today is the first day of the get-together, which happens to be the largest 12-day event in North America and the second largest state fair in the country. Each year, nearly 1.8 million people make their way to the grounds to eat food on a stick, people watch, see touring acts on the Grandstand stage and take part in the countless other entertainment options offered. To me, one of the best things about the fair is being able to mix these old traditions with new ones. Here's the scoop on some of the new things to expect this year.

+ The Mighty Midway has seven new rides this year. So whether you want to rotate 360 degrees vertically and horizontally, be flung in a revolving gondala or suspended in a spinning car, there are plenty of new options for adrenaline junkies. For the younger crowd, kids can choose to take a ride on a tractor or be led by a mouse through a parade of flying elephants on the two new rides at Kidway.

+ Also at the Mighty Midway, you can be blasted back to the days of sideshow entertainment at the World of Wonders Palace of Illusions. See sword swallowers, fire breathers, escape artists and more.

+ Explore the state's brewing past and present at the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild. There will be sample flights made up from more than 15 craft beers, as well as presentations by the brewers themselves.

+ Watch colorful, high-powered aerial laser beams move above you to the beat of classic rock and pop hits. Lasertainment's Laser Hitz Show takes place outside nightly.

+ Let's face it, does it get any better then fair food? With more than 450 foods to choose from (including more than 60 on a stick), there's no shortage of options. In addition to favorites like corn on the cobb, Sweet Martha's cookies and cheese curds, here are just some of the many new options to try.

• Bacon ice cream
• Beef tongue caramelos (tacos)
• Breakfast sliders
• Camel burger sliders
• Cereal killer ice cream
• Cheeseburger sticks
• Chicken nachos on a stick
• Cranberry wontons
• Duke's Poutine
• Eggplant fries
• Grilled wild Alaskan salmon sandwich
• Lamb chop on a stick
• Ole's Cannoli
• Red velvet funnel cake
• Risotto poppers (gluten-free)
• Spaghetti sticks                                                                 

So put on your walking shoes, come well rested and with an empty stomach and say goodbye to summer in an only-in-Minnesota way. 

The fair runs Aug. 23 through Sept. 3.

-- Molly Schelper
Assistant Editor

[Photo by Todd Buchanan]

Event of the Month: Red Bull Crashed Ice

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

It's the New Year, so we have some new ideas to share for the blog. Today, we put a local event in the spotlight in the first Event of the Month. Event of the Month joins Venue Highlight and two others in rotation each Tuesday on the Blog.

Beware of ice skaters racing 40 miles an hour past the Cathedral of Saint Paul this weekend (Jan. 12-14). The Red Bull Crashed Ice World Championship is taking over with an event perfect for the State of Hockey. In this extreme sports competition, ice hockey skaters careen down an icy race track over jumps and bumps, past obstacles and by tough competitors. It's all part of a sport called ice cross downhill.

The Red Bull Crashed Ice World Championship began in 2001 in Stockholm, Sweden. Now, 20 Crashed Ice races have been held in 10 different countries. Last year, Crashed Ice drew in more than 170,000 spectators and featured skaters from 30 countries. This year, we're lucky enough to get the event's U.S. debut!

Construction of the race track began in late December and takes riders from the steps of the Cathedral of Saint Paul, over John Ireland Boulevard and down to College Avenue. St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman helped draw the event to the Twin Cities, after watching last year's event on television.

For details on how to get there (hint: shuttle or bus), where to enter (FYI: it's free!) and everything else you need to know, consult this handy FAQ or read this info from the City of St. Paul. You can also watch live at various St. Paul bars or wait until the NBC broadcast on Jan. 21.

Here's a bit more on ice cross and the event from today's Star Tribune and a video that offers a sneak preview:

--Ellie M. Bayrd
Associate Editor

[Photos: Above, National Final 2011, Russia, (c) Daniel Kolodin/Red Bull Content Pool; Below, World Championship 2011, Quebec, Canada, (c) Andreas Schaad/Red Bull Crashed Ice]

A Fair to Remember

The Minnesota State Fair is back today, so it’s time to taste food on-a-stick, pet farm animals, see your favorite band play at the Grandstand and hit the Midway for rides and games. Everyone knows to look for traditional treats like Sweet Martha’s cookies, but make sure not to miss out on all the new stuff the fair has to offer.

+ Warm up your vocal cords to sing karaoke for the Minnesota State Fair’s first Giant Sing Along. Grab a microphone along with your fellow fairgoers and croon to the tunes of artists such as Journey, Prince, Justin Bieber and many more.

+ It’s the 100th anniversary of the Fine Arts Exhibition and in honor of this milestone visitors will notice some changes. This year’s exhibits showcase a selection of the fair’s most prominent artwork in the history of the fair. Local collectors and museums, the Minnesota Historical Society and the artists themselves will lend works to honor the anniversary.

+ Got a Smartphone? Then you have the entire fair at your fingertips with the free Minnesota State Fair official app. Find your favorite foods and activities at the touch of a button with the app’s Food Finder, Fun Finder and Merchant search tools as well as full access to entertainment and event schedules.

+ You can’t go to the fair without trying some new (and crazy) food. Try these:

Breakfast Lollipop
Carnitas Asian Fusion Tacos 
Dirt Dessert
Grilled Yankee Apple Pie & Chocolate Sandwich
Northwoods Salad on-a-stick
Pizza kabobs on-a-stick
Sweet corn ice cream
Jamaican jerk fries

So put on a pair of comfortable shoes and get ready for the all the sights, sounds and tastes of The Great Minnesota Get-Together.

The fair runs Aug. 25 through Labor Day, Sept. 5.

-- Brenna Oelfke
Editorial Intern

[Photos by Todd Buchanan]

Weekly Roundup: Shutdown info, Chef news, local honors, Vision Awards & more!

Happy 4th everyone. We're disappointed in the government shutdown and our thoughts go out to those who are jobless during this time. Many Minnesota attractions are now closed, which is quite sad for a holiday weekend. Here's your news:

+ The updated list of what's closed during the shutdown, including the Mill City Museum, the History Center, the Zoo, State Parks, etc. Also Explore Minnesota Tourism is now closed.

+ Chef News: Scott Pampuch is leaving Corner Table for Bloomington's Minnesota Valley Country Club. See our story about Scott and Tour de Farm in our Spring issue. Also, Asher Miller is making waves at Mall of America's Tucci Bennuch. And Alex Roberts will be the guest chef at Gather at the Walker Art Center for the month of July. Taste his menus every Thursday night. See our story about Alex in our Spring issue.

+ It's the 31st annual Hmong Sports Festival in St. Paul this weekend.

+ Even without the Taste of Minnesota this year, the city of St. Paul still plans to put on a fireworks show by the river on Monday.

+ The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (Mystic Lake) was honored at a Washington, D.C. awards gala as one of 103 people/organizations honored with the 39th annual Jefferson Awards, regarded as one of the nation’s highest honors for community service and volunteerism.

+ Here is the complete list of U.S. News & World Report's Best Hotels in Minneapolis-St. Paul.

+ You have TWO WEEKS left to nominate someone for a Vision Award! Don't miss out on honoring someone who deserves a little recognition.

-- The Editors

Weekly Roundup: More accolades, Restaurant news, Peter Greenberg in town & more!

Well, spring came and went this week. Let's hope for some sun soon! Here's your news:

+ Manny's Steakhouse has a new lunch menu. Plus, Zagat named the restaurant a "power lunch hot spot."

+ Let the accolades continue. Minnesota was named the most "hipster" state in the U.S., for its live theater, farmers' markets and music scene, just to name a few.

+ The New York Times raves about the Twin Cities bakeries, including Patisserie 46 & Sweets Bakeshop.

+ The new Crave downtown Minneapolis opens next week!

+ The Avenue Q stars from the Mixed Blood Theatre will sing at tomorrow's Twins game.

+ Porky's Drive-In? Really? That and nine other Minnesota sites are on the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota's annual 10 Most Endangered Historic Places list.

+ Travel expert Peter Greenberg brings his radio show to the Twin Cities tomorrow, specifically the Marquette Hotel; guests include Brenda Langton of Spoonriver, Maureen Bausch of Mall of America, Darsie Alexander of the Walker and many others.

+ Don't miss the giant Monopoly Board at the Mall of America tomorrow.

-- The Editors

A Casino in Downtown. What Do You Think?

The Star Tribune reports on the casino plan for Block E, a 3,200 position casino that a consulting group estimates could bring 5 million more people to downtown Minneapolis each year.

Other numbers: 2,800 full-time jobs, $125 million/year tax stream, 84,000 addional hotel room nights and a private investment of at least $200 million.

The audience: The young and affluent (but also people from out state).

So, what do you think about this? As a Minnesota resident, as a Twin Cities citizen, do you see yourself gambling at a downtown casino? Do you see visitors gambling at a downtown casino?

I have a hard time believing the younger crowd will make up a majority of this audience. I don't know too many people my age who gamble regularly. I know more people my parents' age who gamble, and I know they'll stick to their Mystic Lakes and Grand Casinos with the easy parking and large-footprint gaming floors.

However, we definitely need something to happen to Block E, so it's nice to know there are plans in the works, even if the plan has a long way to go. (It is fun to imagine a Vikes stadium by Target Field and a Block E casino - the area would be hoppin'!)

-- Amanda Fretheim Gates   
Managing Editor

Weekly Roundup: Block E casino, Cirque du Soleil, MIA Book Club & more!

Well, we here at Meetings are definitely ready for the Snow. To. Stop. But, we're hanging in there. How about you? Here's your news:

+ The winner of America's Next Great Restaurant will get the chance to open their restaurant in Minneapolis. Judge Bobby Flay calls us a "great food town."

+ Cirque du Soleil returns to the Twin Cities with OVO. The famous blue-and-yellow big top will set up at Mall of America in the North Lot. The show arrives May 26 (through June 12), and tickets go on sale this Sunday.

+ So, could Minneapolis get a casino in Block E? It's an interesting idea. Some people like it, some aren't so sure.

+  Parents Magazine named the Minnesota Children's Museum one of its top 10 for 2011.

+ A book club at a museum? Sounds awesome. The MIA is hosting book tours, featuring discussions of how works of art relate to popular books. Current books: Eat, Pray, Love and Seven Days in the Art World.

+ Did you read the USA Today article about using holograms at meetings and conventions? It's expensive, but is it the future?

+ Expose your kids to The Bard during the Guthrie's Shakespeare Classic on March 13 (then stay and listen to Joe Dowling's convo with David Hyde Pierce). Busy place!

-- The Editors

Weekly Roundup: Senior Games, Racquetball, healthy eating, smoking ban & more!

Here's the latest news:

+ Exciting event announcements this week. Most currently, Minneapolis will host the US Open Racquetball Championships at Target Center Oct. 20-24. The tournament has been held in Nashville for the past 14 years. In future news, the 2015 National Senior Games will bring more then 35,000 people to the Twin Cities. 

+ If you're interested in eating healthy, the University of Minnesota hosts the Food For Thought Summit Sept. 30-Oct. 1 at the University Radisson and the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. New York Times columnist and How to Eat Everything author Mark Bittman will make an appearance. 

+ Just one more awesome way to celebrate its centennial: The Saint Paul Hotel is offering guests the opportunity to stay at the hotel in November and December for the price they once paid, just by bringing in an old receipt. For example, a couple who brought in a 1945 receipt saved in their wedding album could stay overnight today for just less than $6.

+ Shop the new Hugo Boss store at Mall of America on Sept. 20 and 20 percent of the day's sales will be donated to Broadway for South Africa, which aims to develop a cross-cultural exchange between youth in need and artists who seek to use their talents for change. Plus the cast of The Scottsboro Boys will perform in the Best Buy Rotunda.

+ We're very put off by this new airplane seat design. What are they thinking? And if you're traveling with a child? Well, you just shouldn't, it seems. Pretty ridiculous.

+ Wisconsin recently banned smoking in all hotel rooms.

+ You know it's fall when Sever's Corn Maze opens (tomorrow). Take the kids (or have some team-building fun) and get lost in the Viking-themed maze this year. 

--The Editors

Visit Minneapolis North Field Trip (Part I)

Last Thursday, Associate Editor Ellie Bayrd and I (Valerie Wenzel) joined Visit Minneapolis North in Brooklyn Park on the second of three familiarization tours of event and meeting spaces. The FAM Tour extravaganza started in Brooklyn Center (on April 29), followed by Brooklyn Park (April 29) and will finish this Thursday in Maple Grove (May 6). I will share Part II of our adventure, in Maple Grove, next week. [UPDATE: Here's Part II]

On our Brooklyn Park FAM tour we visited five venues Minnesota’s sixth largest city has to offer. Led by Brooke Stoeckle, Tim Zunker and Brent Haugen from Visit Minneapolis North and joined by about 20 other meeting/event coordinators the day followed a reality television theme in which each space welcomed us with an activity and an extensive tour.

+ The Bachelor at Northland Inn: Kerry Woerner, sales manager, led our group around the all-suites hotel and many meeting/event spaces there, including several named after Minnesota authors. We were also treated to their extensive breakfast buffet, which can feed hundreds in their atrium-setting layout. Requesting that we, as media and event planners, begin a relationship with The Northland Inn, Ring Pops were presented to us followed by a rose ceremony, in which even the men were offered a single, long-stemmed, red rose.

+ Survivor at Ramada Minneapolis NW: Greeted by Ryan Davis, catering manager, in a safari hat, we were immediately plunged into the Grand Rios Water Park. After gazing at the lazy river we ventured to the event spaces, including a newly designed garden courtyard near the lobby, a great pre-function space. The winner for guessing the right amount of gold coins in the treasure chest won the Survivor game.