Minneapolis Convention Center — Attraction in Minneapolis

My husband and I went to the Home and Garden Show on Sunday in downtown Minneapolis ....and it was just a wonderful time to feel refreshed with all the new home projects to look at .... and all of the beautiful flowers and water fountains that were set up there!!

They also had a talk show up on stage talking about Morel mushrooms and how to prepare them! There were a few food trucks set up there with barbecued sandwiches and other quaint sandwiches you could order also!

We ordered some fried chicken filets and french fries and then we had some cinnamon coated almonds for Dessert afterwards! So Yum!! And we got to sit at their lunch tables that were set up and have a little rest!! :)

It was amazing the process that they have to haul in all of the dirt and all of the flowers.... and there is a certain procedure we learned about... that they let some of the people in the back part of the room bringing their items first and unpack all of these containers as no trucks are allowed on the floor! They had to use smaller carts to haul everything in and then the same thing when dismantling everything .... and they were going to sell a lot of their flowers after the 5:00 time slot On Sunday as it was their last day of the show!!

It is so impressive with the parking lots in Downtown Minneapolis also and all the connected Skyways so that you didn't have to get cold outside ....you could just keep taking the connecting skyways to get you over to the Minneapolis Convention Center!! And they had event parking in the parking garages for only $10 and we felt that was a good deal also! We had purchased some 2 for 1 tickets also to go to the Home and Garden show at the Convention Center!

My husband and I had a fun time looking at some of the flooring you could put into your garages that would be water repellent and you could just wipe them out from the water and the winter time .... and some of the "She sheds" they put up down there and the Decks that you could put up above on your garages for a lookout!! There were a lot of neat craft ideas and things they were selling for your home also!!

There were water fountains that they set up that were so refreshing this time of year and also a lot of different flower displays and Arbors!!

There was a staff of Chiropractors and their Assistants giving free back rubs and to sign you up for another adjustment and x-rays for only $20 so I decided to do that also!! I felt so good after having my back massage done and adjusted!!

It was such a fun date to go to with my Husband and so relaxing and refreshing to be in with all the Flowers...

This place should have it's LEEDS certificate revoked, and should be audited.

They claim "We are committed to using our resources responsibly".

One: I don't see how removing 5.4 million gallons from the river, just to irrigate what amounts to a relatively small area, as being an act that benefits the planet. They could just collect rainwater as it falls for their irrigation. The only way the river gets those 5.4 million gallons back is by rainfall. And it never rains millions of gallons at one time. So what they take, they do not give back to the river. There is also no way for them to know what they take from the river is just runoff rainwater. And again, it does not rain millions of gallons in even a single month, to justify them taking such a large quantity, each time they do.

Two: they claim to offset their electrical usage through green methods. But their history panels in the building don't mention how. Their website claims solar and wind. But they only mention the source of their solar power. This may be sustainable, but they have lights and other things running in areas where nobody is. It is a waste of electricity to have such things on in places that are not in use. And the place is huge. With their claims of sustainability, you would think they'd have decided not to use so much lighting, especially during the day. Many poor people have the good sense to turn off the lights when they leave the room. I guess they make so much money that such a simple concept is unknown to them. So who polices and monitors this place to make sure they are keeping up their promises? And just how many staff actually bike or bus ride to and from work? Do the upper crust staff drive their high price cars, or bike? They are the ones who make the promises, and therefor should be the ones setting the examples. Should be condemned and redesigned.

An interesting fact: I distinctly recall the Foshay Tower being on Marquette Ave just past the 2nd ave/Grant Street intersection, as I'd walk past the convention center when it had just started out. It, like all of the smaller buildings on the block as being rundown and neglected. Everything looked dirty and grimy. No rich person would have purchased the Foshay during the great depression, as they'd be trying to save themselves from ruin. So it would naturally have gone through decades of neglect. Any photos of the area or memories that show what that block looked...

The Minneapolis Convention Center is an impressive, well-run venue that stands out for its size, cleanliness, and organization. With four spacious levels and over 1.6 million square feet of total space—including 475,000 square feet dedicated to exhibits—it easily accommodates everything from major trade shows to intimate conferences. What really makes the MCC shine is how neat and orderly everything is. The entire building is spotless, with clearly marked areas, easy-to-follow signage, and efficient staff that keep events running smoothly. The layout is intuitive, making it easy to navigate between the exhibit halls, meeting rooms, and auditorium. Despite its size, the space never feels overwhelming or chaotic. Instead, it’s well-designed to handle high foot traffic without congestion. Loading and unloading areas are well placed, and amenities like the huge 23,000-square-foot kitchen and ample restrooms are clean and well-maintained. The MCC also takes sustainability seriously, with smart energy use and waste-reduction programs that add to the sense of thoughtful management. Overall, it’s a modern, polished, and highly functional venue—ideal for hosting large events without sacrificing comfort or...