The 2009 Minnesota Meetings + Events Readers' Choice Best Of Award Winners

Our readers have voted, and once again we're excited to bring you the best of the best for 2009. These are the industry suppliers who show a complete commitment to making your meetings and events the best they can be, whether it's their willingness to accommodate an odd request or the ability to solve problems on the fly. One thing is certain: when it comes to outstanding service, these winners always deliver.
View photos from the awards party.

Editors' Picks
By Ann Turner

Best Attraction
THE WINNER IS:
University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
There's no better way to get back to nature than the Arboretum, just a few minutes west of the Cities. Nestled on more than 1,000 acres of formal gardens, natural prairie and thick forests, it offers ample meeting space and top-notch catering for as many as 375 attendees. The centerpiece of the stunning new Oswald Visitor Center is the McQuinn Great Hall with a 40-foot ceiling framed by Douglas fir trusses and skylights-a perfect spot for gatherings that can spill over onto multiple terraces overlooking the lush landscape. Arboretum staff can handle any group's needs, from tours to teambuilding activities. (3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska, MN 55318 / 952.443.1400 / www.arboretum.umn.edu)

Best Special Event Venue
THE WINNER IS:
The American Swedish Institute (ASI )
This is one of those places that you can drive by for years, always wondering what's behind the enticing entranceway, towering turrets and grinning gargoyles. If you take the time to pay a visit, you'll find an awe-inspiring 33-room mansion with a two-story fireplace mantle, handcrafted stone carvings, elaborate woodwork and plaster-sculpted ceilings. The ASI has turned the original Turnblad mansion into a cultural center for all things Swedish, but any group will appreciate its amenities, including group tours and a banquet room seating as many as 185 guests. (2600 Park Ave. / Minneapolis, MN 55407 / 612.871.4907 / www.americanswedishinst.org)

Best Meeting Space/No Hotel
THE WINNER IS:
The Guthrie Theater
While most of us are aware that the Guthrie's new digs include three stages, there's so much more behind the scenes. Did you know that they offer teambuilding improvisation workshops, presentation skills training and leadership training led by Guthrie teaching artists? Corporate groups also have access to private classrooms, a multitude of public spaces with breath-taking views and the theaters themselves. And to top it all, their catering services are unparalleled, anchored by the impressive new Sea Change restaurant on the Lobby Level. (818 South 2nd St. / Minneapolis, MN 55415 / 612.225.6172/ www.guthrietheater.org

Best Winery
THE WINNER IS:
Cannon River Winery
Exploring the burgeoning viticulture of Minnesota was one of this editor's toughest assignments in 2009, although all the sipping and sampling was well worth the effort since we discovered the Cannon River Winery in Cannon Falls. This bustling winery not only produces some of the best vintages on the local scene, it's also fun to visit. The wine tanks are tucked into the rear of the shop, where they become part of the ambience that includes the obligatory wine bar and an intriguing gift shop. The Maloneys are proprietors in the truest sense, personally making guests feel welcome and eager to share the fruit of their labor. A must-visit for out-of-town guests who don't believe great wine can come from the frozen tundra. (421 Mill St. West / Cannon Falls, MN 55009/ 507.263.7400 / www.cannonriverwinery.com)

Readers' Choice Winners
By Megan Tsai

Attraction
THE WINNER IS:
Mall of America
This mammoth mall makes our list year after year-but that doesn't mean it's getting stale. A steady stream of constant upgrades keeps MOA on top. This year, the addition of trendy dining spot Crave, a 300-seat comedy club and the event-oriented VIP Theater freshen up this trusty standby. (60 East Broadway / Bloomington, MN 55425 / 800.879.3555 / www.mallofamerica.com)
Runners-up // Valleyfair Amusement Park, Minnesota Zoo, Science Museum of Minnesota

Catering Company
THE WINNER IS:
D'Amico Catering
Longtime winner D'Amico can't seem to take a wrong step. "D'Amico Catering is a trifecta of catering: superior service, consistent cuisine and desirable venues," says The Style Laboratory event planner Geri Wolf. "To know that D'Amico Catering is an extension of my own team gives my clients and me peace of mind." (275 Market St., Suite C25 / Minneapolis, MN 55405 / 612.238.4444 / www.damicocatering.com)
Runners-up // Wildside Caterers, Deli Double Corporate Catering

Transportation
THE WINNER IS:
Lorenz Bus Service
Moving large groups is a breeze with luxury buses from Lorenz Bus Service. According to BDM Agency Owner Paul Boddicker, "Lorenz is clean and professional. They take their job very seriously and it shows." (8600 Xylite St. N.E. / Minneapolis, MN 55449 / 763.784.7196 / www.lorenzbus.com)
Runners-up // Eclipse Transportation, River City Limousine

Up-and-Coming Catering Company
THE WINNER IS:
A Catered Event
A Catered Event is making a big impression with innovative thinking-such as a low carbon-footprint luncheon-along with tasty dishes like Island Spiced Pumpkin Soup. Their status as the exclusive caterers for Big Lake event center The Carousell Works has helped put this newcomer on the map. (160 Lake St. N. / Big Lake, MN 55309 / 763.262.6615 / www.acateredevent.net)
Runners-up // Common Roots, Thyme to Entertain

Resort
THE WINNER IS:
Grand View Lodge
It doesn't get much more "Minnesota" than Grand View Lodge, a historic building constructed out of Norway Pine logs harvested on the property in the days of World War I. Today, modern additions of a spa, four golf courses and a conference center make it an ideal retreat. (23521 Nokomis Ave. / Nisswa, Minnesota 56468 / 218.963.2234 / www.grandviewlodge.com)
Runners-up // Madden's on Gull Lake, Arrowwood Resort

Entertainment Agency
THE WINNER IS:
Maund Entertainment
Fun is the name of the game at Maund Entertainment. With face painters, fortune tellers, magicians and jugglers you'll find everything you need to keep any crowd amused. (6560 Saunders Lake Drive S. / Mound, MN 55364 / 952.472.3378 / www.maundentertainment.com)
Runners-up // G.L. Berg Entertainment, Marsh Productions Entertainment Agency

Audio-Visual Provider
THE WINNER IS:
AVEX
"Can you hear me now?" Nothing interrupts a meeting or event like an A/V glitch, and that's why event planners appreciate AVEX. "They truly understand the meaning of customer service and realize value can be interpreted in many ways, not just fiscally," says BayView Event Center Sales Manager Michael Jensen. (4802 Park Glen Road / St. Louis Park, MN 55416 / 952.929.2839 / www.goavex.com)
Runners-up // Hoffman Communications, AV for You

Florist
THE WINNER IS:
Bachman's
Bachman's started as a small vegetable farm in the late 1800s and has blossomed over a century. Today, it's your top choice for striking floral designs and arrangements packed in signature purple boxes. "The service and quality of the product they deliver is always top notch," says reader Larry Franklin. (6010 Lyndale Ave. S. / Minneapolis, MN 55419 / 866.222.4626 / www.bachmans.com)
Runners-up // Luna Vinca, Candlelight Floral

Conference Center
THE WINNER IS:
Oak Ridge Hotel & Conference Center
Oak Ridge is one-stop-shopping at its best. This conference center truly has it all-an onsite ropes teambuilding course, 22,000 square feet of high-tech meeting space, modern guestrooms and a host of recreational activities. (1 Oak Ridge Drive / Chaska, MN 55318 / 952.368.3100 / www.dolce-minneapolis-hotel.com)
Runners-up // Radisson Hotel and Conference Center Minneapolis, Earle Brown Heritage Center

Event Production and Décor Company
THE WINNER IS:
metroConnections
Forget the standard casino party. The event experts at metroConnections want to know if you prefer a Rat Pack casino or an old west casino. From refined to rockin', this type of attention to detail paired with flawless execution brings your events to life. (1219 Marquette Ave., Suite 110 / Minneapolis, MN 55403 / 612.333.8687 / www.metroconnections.com)
Runners-up // Event Lab, Hoffman Communications

Teambuilding Facilitator / Venue
THE WINNER IS:
metroConnections
Whether you're making salsa, building trains or playing Survivor, one thing's for certain- your group will come out of their metroConnections teambuilding activity with memories they'll look back on for years to come. (1219 Marquette Ave., Suite 110 / Minneapolis, MN 55403 / 612.333.8687 / www.metroconnections.com)
Runners-up // Cosgrove Trivia Challenge, Oak Ridge Hotel & Conference Center

Hotel with Meeting and Event Space, More Than 300 Rooms
THE WINNER IS:
Hilton Minneapolis
For your biggest bashes, you turn to the towering Hilton Minneapolis. Its stateof- the-art conference center and super-sized meeting space can accommodate even the largest events, and its downtown location offers a wealth of dining and entertainment options. (1001 Marquette Ave. S. / Minneapolis, MN 55403 / 612.376.1000 / www.minneapolis.hilton.com)
Runners-up // Minneapolis Marriott City Center, Hyatt Regency Minneapolis

Meeting and Event Space, No Hotel
THE WINNER IS:
McNamara Alumni Center
For the third year running, this architectural wonder takes the top spot in its category. The McNamara Alumni Center's striking pink-granite exterior, exquisite wood-lined walls and soaring 85-foot high ceilings reflect the beauty of Minnesota's natural resources. (200 Oak St. S.E. / Minneapolis, MN 55455 / 612.624.9831 / www.alumnicenter.umn.edu)
Runners-up // Nicollet Island Pavilion, 317 on Rice Park Event Center

Boats / Cruises / Charters
THE WINNER IS:
Al and Alma's Charter Cruises
Pile aboard, because your favorite cruise operator got even bigger this year. The newest addition to Al and Alma's fleet is the Bella Vista. At 83 feet, she's the longest boat currently cruising Lake Minnetonka and can accommodate up to 149 passengers. (5201 Piper Road / Mound, MN 55364 / 952.472.3098 / www.al-almas.com)

Runners-up // Paradise Charter Cruises, Padelford Packet Boat Co.

Golf Venue
THE WINNER IS:
Madden's on Gull Lake
When it's time to tee up, you head for the best; Golf Digest dubbed Madden's "The Classic," one of the top public courses in America. Plus, the resort's 63 holes are enough to keep even the most avid golfer swinging, and the lakeside resort is perfect for kicking back after a long day on the links. (11266 Pine Beach Peninsula / Brainerd, MN 56401 / 800.233.2934 / www.maddens.com)
Runners-up // Hazeltine National Golf Club, Grand View Lodge

Special Event Venue
THE WINNER IS:
Lafayette Club
The glistening crystal chandeliers, generous archways and white-washed exterior of the stately Lafayette Club are impressive enough. Then, factor in the club's location on one of the best pieces of Lake Minnetonka real estate and you have an ideal setting for special event success. (2800 Northview Rd. / Minnetonka Beach, MN 55361 / 952.471.8493 / www.lafayetteclub.com)
Runners-up // McNamara Alumni Center, The Depot Minneapolis

Rental Service Provider
THE WINNER IS:
Linen Effects
If you're looking for selection, your search stops here. Linen Effects promises to deliver the "largest linen inventory in the Midwest." With chair covers, sashes, tablecloths and more in a huge variety of colors and materials, we're inclined to believe them. (1801 West River Road N. / Minneapolis, MN 55411 / 612.355.2500 / www.lineneffects.com)
Runners-up // Après Party and Tent Rental, Midway Party Rental

Hotel with Meeting and Event Space, Less Than 300 Rooms
THE WINNER IS:
W Minneapolis-The Foshay
The art deco Foshay Tower that houses W Minneapolis is a sight to see-but your sensory experience doesn't stop there. You'll also find an energizing meeting space complete with mood-enhancing music and even aromatherapy. (821 Marquette Ave. / Minneapolis, MN 55402 / 612.215.3700 / www.whotels.com/minneapolis)
Runners-up // Saint Paul Hotel, Chambers

Convention and Visitors Bureau
THE WINNER IS:
Meet Minneapolis
Your favorite Twin Cities' promotion engine is now churning out even more positive publicity using a profusion of social media including Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Flickr. Now there's no excuse for being out of touch with the latest local happenings. (250 Marquette Ave. S., Suite 1300 / Minneapolis, MN 55401 / 888.676.6757 / www.minneapolis.org )
Runners-up // Saint Paul Convention & Visitors Authority, Bloomington Convention & Visitors Bureau

Entertainment (Performer)
THE WINNER IS:
The R Factor
With a client list that reads like the who's who of Minnesota companies and event venues, you may have caught The R Factor (formerly Rupert's Orchestra) performing from their extensive song list spanning decades-from Top 40 to the Four Tops. (3921 Sunset Blvd. / St. Louis Park, MN 55416 / 952.922.1800 / www.therfactor.com)
Runners-up // Power of Ten, Boogie Wonderland