The 2025 conference schedule is packed with educational sessions that address current and future challenges in the events industry, as well as business fundamentals and exciting up-and-coming trends.
Minnesota at Center Ice
Andrea Graham; Co-Executive Director - 2026 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship
This year Minnesota will host the 50th Anniversary of the World Junior Hockey Championship. There is no better place to host the international hockey community than in the state of hockey! This prestigious event has a storied following around the globe and is one of the most hockey events in the world, yet somehow most US hockey fans don't know about it. Minnesota Sports and Events is on a mission over the next 9 months promote awareness, excitement, and engagement for this tournament around the state. In this session you'll learn about the significance and global impact of World Juniors, ideate ways to inspire and excite our communities through highlighting Minnesota's role as host and our deep hockey culture, as well as identify opportunities to engage our state's different events and local organizations to be a part of the excitement ensure everyone knows that the 2026 World Junior Championship is coming home to Minnesota.
Event Safety Planning & Mitigation Strategies
Tim West and Aaron Morningstar, Security Advisors with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) will provide an overview of physical security planning tools and mitigation strategies. The primary focus will be on mass gathering security, vehicle ramming mitigation, and various web-based CISA security tools.
Monetizing Your Event & Creative Revenue Streams
A discussion focused on sharing ideas, as well as proven strategies, to increase revenue for events of all sizes and scopes. Panelists will cover a broad range of topics including elevated VIP experiences, local travel/tourism partnerships, value add ticket upgrades, sponsorship, charitable gambling, ticket platform support & marketing and more.
Cannabis: Business + Creativity
Hear a brief update on the status of cannabis in relation to events and advertising statewide. Topics will also include how to safely integrate cannabis into your event, how to garner sponsorships in the THC category, ideas on cannabis in the culinary space, aligning with social equity initiatives, integrating wellness aspects of cannabis into your event, the connection between cannabis, music & art and insight into cannabis-centric events.
Creating a Site Plan
Steve Madson, SRO Productions & Mark Rausch, Mpls Downtown Council
It's important to have a good blueprint for your festival or event. Learn how to maximize your site for a hassle free attendee experience from experts in the industry. Capitalize on the strengths of your site and solve the challenges with a solid well communicated plan.
Minneapolis Park & Rec Board: Music and Movies Program – A Case Study
Aaron Briner, Tim Dumas, Garren Turner, Brian Gjerde, Minneapolis Park & Rec
In its 130th year, the MPRB Music and Movies in the park has gone from music at a trolly stop to the largest program of its kind in the country with over 200 concerts and 60 outdoor movies every season. Learn about the history of the program, as well as the current event logistics, communication strategies, AV Equipment & licenses, expenses, talent booking, partnership opportunities, missteps, and more. The MPRB Community Events team will give you an inside look at this historic event series.
Working with Media for Festivals & Events
Presenters: J. Marie Fieger, President and CEO of Nemer Fieger
Meghan Gustafson, Sr. Director of Community Impact, Mpls Downtown Council & Mpls Downtown Improvement District
From community celebrations to large-scale music festivals, media coverage plays a critical role in driving attendance, engaging audiences, and creating lasting buzz. In this dynamic session, media and public relations experts from Nemer Fieger will share their insights on how festivals can effectively collaborate with journalists, broadcasters, and digital influencers to maximize exposure.
5k Run / Walk Trends: New Ideas & Strategies
Mary Anderson & Jennifer Williams, Anderson Race Management
Explore the latest trends shaping the world of 5K run/walk events in this engaging and informative session. Whether you're an event organizer, a participant, or just curious about these community-friendly races, you'll gain fresh insights and practical tips. We'll discuss emerging themes, such as themed races, virtual 5Ks, and eco-friendly event practices, while also delving into innovative strategies to boost participation, improve race-day experiences, and increase fundraising potential.
Access Control Planning at Festivals and Fairs: Best Practices
Sarah Van Sickle, St. Paul Irish Fair; Sara Collins, WE FEST; Alan Fontanella, MN Event Badges
Learn about identity and access control best practices at events, fairs and festivals. In this moderated discussion, a panel of three Minnesota event managers will discuss consideratons, plans and details to limit risks and improve site management of personnel, entertainment and event security.
Vendor Management: An Eventeny Case Study
Max Feldman, Event Specialist, Eventeny
Managing event vendors is a full time job. This session will provide you with a solution to make vendor management easier by highlighting a real world case study with MN Festivals that use the Eventeny Product. Leveraged Eventeny's software solution to revolutionize their event planning process. Through real-world examples and success metrics, learn how the integration of Eventeny's mapping feature streamlined venue layout planning, enhanced attendee experience, and elevated overall event success. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights, best practices, and tangible strategies for optimizing event management!
Tech Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself
Kastina Morrison (she/her), Event Planner | Logistics Lover | Sauce Enthusiast
Discussion of ways your business could be using AI, software updates and other tech resources to streamline your sales, operations and internal workflows.
The Science of Makers & Vendor Markets
Panelists: Hayley Matthews Jones, Mpls Craft Market & Mpls Vintage Market; Andi Otto, Executive Director of TC Pride; Sara Collins, Stone Arch Bridge Festival, Art in Bayfront Park, & Loring Park Art Festival
Get all the expert information you need to know about best practices, logistics and the event experience to attract Makers, Artists, Vendors and Attendees to your event.
Minneapolis Music Census Overview
Jack Kolb-Williams, Executive Director of MNIVA
The Minneapolis Music Census was a community-led initiative to learn more about the needs of the music ecosystem in our city. It aimed to gather important information about the music industry in Minneapolis to help the city and the community make more informed, data-driven decisions. The survey was launched to provide the Minneapolis music community with data to create policies and solutions. It was conducted by Sound Music Cities, a Texas based company specializing in music ecosystem research, in partnership with the Arts & Cultural Affairs Department (ACA) and local public and private organizations.
The Impacts of Climate Change on Our Weather Patterns for Festivals and Events
Mike Augustyniak, Director of Meteorology, CBM, CCM, WCCO-TV Minneapolis, CBS Sunday Morning
Minnesota’s climate is changing – at times, during the year, at the fastest rate seen anywhere in the continental U.S. – and the impacts we’re feeling today will become more extreme in time. Learn what long-term changes in climate are occurring in our region and in our state, and the impact they have on day-to-day weather. Resources to explore more localized impacts, and impacts on the natural environment, will be provided.
All You Need to Know About Food Trucks at Your Event
Jess Jenkins, Forward Events & MN Food Truck Association; Jon Iannazzo; Nick Taulelle, Taulelle Concessions
Meet what almost every event has to deal with. How am I going to deal with my food needs? This session brings together professionals with years of experience planning and securing food vendors, with the two representatives from food event industry. Jess Jenkins, with the Minnesota Food Truck Association and Paula Kennedy from Kennedy Concessions. She represents event food vendors. Very different from food trucks. We will talk about why or why not you want these kind of food options, and what works best for you!
More information on these sessions coming soon!
• Staffing your Event: Independent Contractors & Volunteers Breakout
• Tips for Hiring Local Entertainment: Talent Buying, Artist & Manager + Performance
• Music and Movies Program - A Case Study: Minneapolis Park & Rec Board
