Radisson Blu Mall of America

The Bloomington, Minnesota Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Society of Government Meeting Professionals (SGMP) announced plans to host next year’s National Education Conference (NEC) in Bloomington from June 2-8, 2023. Some 350-400 government meeting planners will attend the conference, which will take place at Radisson Blu Mall of America. The news was announced during the 2022 conference in Pittsburgh, Penn.

Like many hotels, Radisson Blu Mall of America has made many adjustments and improvements since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to keep guests and staff healthy. The Radisson Blu’s team has concocted several ways to keep the food and beverage scene interesting for groups that utilize the property’s more than 26,300 square feet of meeting and event space. Here are a couple practical solutions that caught our attention, including three with interactive moments complete with costumes, music, lights and special touches. 

THE PRACTICAL  

Thirst for Health

Sure, it’s Minneapolis that has the Super Bowl coming to U.S. Bank Stadium in 2018. But what some might overlook is the group effort that went into acquiring the national event—and Bloomington’s role in particular. “We were an intricate part of [the Super Bowl bid]; a very, very key factor,” says Bonnie Carlson, president and CEO, Bloomington Convention & Visitors Bureau.

You voted, we calculated. Now it’s time to rip the envelope open and announce the winners of the 14th annual Best of Minnesota readers’ choice awards.