Meetings: Minnesota's Hospitality Journal

SPECIAL SPONSORED SECTION

An Upscale Experience

A relative newcomer to the metro area’s hospitality community, the Westin Edina Galleria became the city’s first four-star property when it opened Aug. 21, 2008.

top photo by JAMeS MIChAel KRugeR; bottoM photo CouRteSy of hIltoN MINNeApolIS

Its 9,100 square feet of flexible meeting space (all located on the first floor) includes a state-of-the-art boardroom that seats up to 12 and the ballroom, which can host up to 350 guests. Wireless Internet and audiovisual capabilities are available throughout the space. Executive meeting specialists work closely with clients and with the property’s culinary team from McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant. “We understand what meeting planners need to ensure a successful event,” says marketing coordination manager Sara Summers. “One thing that is always appreciated—we provide meeting planners with a hotel radio so they can easily communicate throughout their event with both the sales manager and banquet staff.”

The Westin Edina Galleria is connected to an array of dining and shopping options at Galleria, an upscale shopping center featuring more than 70 retailers and four restaurants. The hotel is also just steps away from Southdale Center, which offers a 16-screen movie theater. Staff members at the Westin Edina Galleria were able to combine the hotel’s meetings services with all these nearby amenities during the Republican National Convention by working with retailers in the Galleria who donated items for gift bags. “The gift bags worked so well that we offer the option to groups whenever possible,” Summers says.

Westin Edina Galleria

The Heart of the City

Just a block from the Minneapolis Convention Center, the Hilton Minneapolis not only boasts a fantastic location, but is also the largest hotel in Minnesota and is ideal for meetings and events. “Our space was designed for meeting planners, by meeting planners,” says director of sales and marketing Kim Zoulek. With 77,000 square feet of function space on two floors, the Hilton can accommodate large and small groups with intimate meeting spaces and large spaces including two new ballrooms added since 2005.

Guests are always wowed when they first step into the Hilton’s lobby, Zoulek says, which features marble, chandeliers and hand-carved crown molding. “The entrance truly sets the tone for an experience you’re about to enjoy.” As beautiful as the Hilton is on the inside, you’ll want to get out and about, because it’s also steps

Hilton Minneapolis

away from downtown Minneapolis’ finest cultural attractions including Orchestra Hall and more than 250 restaurants, shops and theaters. As the designated host hotel of the presidential and vice presidential nominee, the Hilton Minneapolis was truly put to the test during the Republican National Convention. “The sheer level of communication and staff talent that it took to orchestrate such a successful event was amazing,” Zoulek says. “It was truly a proud moment.”

First Class Meetings

The Airport Conference Center is uniquely located at the heart of Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Whether you are flying into the Twin Cities for a conference or are locally based and meeting clients from out of town, the Airport Conference Center enables you to make the most of your meeting time. Perched on the Mezzanine Level of the Lindbergh Terminal, the facility is only a few minutes’ walk from airline gates, so you can meet right up until it is time to board. Not flying? No boarding pass is required to use the full-service conference center, which opens onto the MSP Airport Mall for a plethora of fine dining and great shopping options. The Lindbergh Terminal has a metro light rail station right in the building, so you don’t have to go outside in order to catch a train to downtown Minneapolis or to Mall of America.

One of the most frequently heard statements from people who use the center for the first time is, “Wow, I didn’t know this was here!” The conference center offers the quiet and comfort of a first-class meeting facility only steps from the bustling concourses of one of America’s busiest airports. Perhaps executive recruiter Andrew Nugent said it best: “I was pleasantly surprised to discover this great facility at MSP Airport. In addition to an extremely high level of service, the center offers privacy, which is very important in my business.”