Connect Means Business
This experience-heavy event will feature multiple tracks coming together in Minneapolis. Meetings will be held in the following sectors: Association, Corporate, Specialty, and Sports.
Planners will experience the Connect difference with our highly curated reverse-style appointments. You will meet only with the destinations and venues that are good fit for your future meetings, conferences and events. These short meetings will be the building blocks for site selection on your events for the next several years. Suppliers will immediately recognize the great care Connect takes in matching you with the right planners.
Your future prospective partners are highly vetted. Only the top-of-the-line planners are granted access to our shows. The hosted buyers you meet with represent future events that are great events for your destination that will fill hotel rooms, meeting venues and local restaurants, generating a huge economic impact.
Agenda
All Times Central
Download schedule here.
Tuesday, August 22
NCAA Bid Cycle General Session
Room 101 ABNCAA Bid Cycle Breakout Sessions
Regiception
hall b Foyer
Trade Show Opens
Exhibit Hall
Education
Speaker showcase Theater
Visit Knoxville Happy Hour (Sports Planners Only)
Craft Bar
Party Like It's 1999 (see details below agenda)
Wear purple!
Wednesday, August 23
Hosted Breakfasts (Invite Only)
Marketplace Appointments
Trade Show Hours
Exhibit Hall
Education Sessions
Marketplace Appointments
Open Night
Florida Sports Foundation Sports Planner's Only Power Hour
Thursday, August 24
Marketplace Appointments
Trade Show Hours
Lunch in Trade Show
Delivering the Premium Sports Experience with 3Step Sports
Sports Equality Foundation presents "Doing the Work in Sports," featuring Roscoe Mapps, Chief Diversity Officer, San Francisco Giants
Marketplace Appointments
Opening Reception
We're taking over three iconic Minneapolis establishments to throw a party fit for Prince himself. Enjoy light bites and hand-crafted cocktails set to the sounds of Prince tribute band, Chase & Ovation. Enter at Orchestra Hall, Peavey Plaza, or Brit's Pub. Transportation will NOT be provided. Don't forget to wear purple!
Location
The MCC is the largest meeting and convention facility in Minnesota, with over 480,000 square feet of exhibit space, a 28,000 square-foot ballroom, a 3,400-fixed-seat auditorium and 90 meeting rooms, all connected to the skyway system.
Connect Marketplace Savings Pass
The Connect Marketplace Savings Pass allows you to redeem exclusive savings at 20+ top-notch venues around the city. Whether you're craving culinary delights, seeking entertainment, or exploring local hotspots, this pass is your key to saving while you savor every moment in Minneapolis. To access your pass, please visit www.minneapolis.org/connect, scroll to the bottom of the site, click add to cart, and follow the instructions on the screen. We can't wait to see you there!
Planner Information
Register and Pay.
Get your $200 registration fee back after completing all scheduled Marketplace appointments.
Travel to Connect.
Attend the hosted-buyer event designed for association, corporate, luxury and specialty professionals.
Connect with Peers.
Meet with pre-selected suppliers in one-on-one appointments.
Learn from Experts.
Enjoy in-depth, interactive education on in-demand topics while earning continuing education credits.
Unwind and Mingle.
Continue networking at our fun receptions in the safest and cleanest way possible.
Registration Cost
Registration starts at $200.
Frequently asked Planners questions
Justify your attendance to your boss with this letter template:
Supplier Information
- Face-to-face meetings with qualified planners
- Only planners who can book business qualify
- 1:1 planner-to-supplier ratio
- Full contact information for all meeting planners
- Training with industry experts
- Numerous networking opportunities to do business
- ROI that is evident before you leave the conference
Registration cost
Registration starts at $4,750.
Frequently Asked Supplier Questions
Justify your attendance to your boss with this letter template.
Frequently Asked Planner Questions
Are vaccines mandatory to attend?
To host an event that is as safe as possible for all in attendance, we highly encourage that all attendees get vaccinated before attending. You may provide proof of vaccination or a negative test on a voluntary basis. Regardless of vaccination or testing status, all attendees are required to wear facemasks when indoors or when they are unable to socially distance from one another pursuant to current CDC guidance. In the event of future changes in applicable law or guidance, we may change our requirements.
What is a reverse tradeshow?
Our innovative Marketplace system matches planners and suppliers for individual appointments based on their requests, as well as additional factors. Planners sit at designated tables and suppliers have 1-2 minutes to travel between appointments. A chime signifies the beginning and end of each appointment.
How much does registration cost?
Qualified planners pay a $200 registration fee that will be returned at the end of the conference if all Marketplace appointments are kept.
When will I get my registration fee back?
Once all Marketplace appointments have been fulfilled and the final set of Marketplace appointments have concluded, refunds will be available at a designated location.
How does the appointment process work?
Planners and suppliers will receive an email stating that the appointment request process is open. Mutual requests get priority, then planner requests are granted, followed by supplier requests. It is not a first-come, first-served process. As long as you complete your requests by the designated end date, your appointment selections will be granted the appropriate priority.
You will receive an email prior to the show with instructions for logging into the appointment portal.
If I am driving to the event, will I be eligible for a mileage reimbursement?
If the mileage from your residence exceeds 100 miles, you will receive a preset transportation reimbursement at the conclusion of all scheduled appointments. We do not cover parking expenses, so be prepared for this additional cost.
When will you book my hotel room?
You will receive an email confirmation from the host hotel for a secured room about two weeks prior to the event. It might show a room rate, but attending as a planner, you will not be responsible for this charge. However, you will be asked to put down a credit card for incidentals when you check into your hotel. Incidentals are not covered by Connect.
What is Connect's refund/cancellation policy?
A Hosted Buyer is required to pay a fee to guarantee registration. Once a Hosted Buyer completes all of the preset appointments, the fee will be refunded. If a Hosted Buyer misses any appointments, cancels attendance after the appointment portal opens, or cancels attendance at any point 24 hours after flight booking, the deposit refund is forfeited and the Hosted Buyer's credit card on file will be charged the entire amount of the airline ticket, (As well as costs incurred in securing non-refundable hotel accommodations in the planners name for the duration of the event.) Hosted Buyers also forfeit their fee if the meeting qualification information presented to our staff is falsified, if the data on the registration page is false or exaggerated, if the Hosted Buyer does not have any influence on the decision process, or if there is any misrepresentation by the Hosted Buyer. If the Hosted Buyer's application is denied, the Hosted Buyer will be refunded the respective deposit.
Refund will be available after fulfillment and final set of appointments at the event have concluded. It is the sole responsibility of each planner to pick up their refund before leaving the event. The attendee agrees to settle all disputes regarding their deposit, reimbursement, refunds, and incentive within 30 days post-event. All disputes not settled within 30 days post-event will be null and void and no deposit, reimbursement, refunds, or incentive will be eligible to be collected.
When will I receive my appointments?
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, we will be giving more time to planners and suppliers to register for the show. This means there will be a shorter time to review your appointment schedule before the conference starts. We are anticipating you will get your appointment schedule 24 to 48 hours before the show.
Frequently Asked Supplier Questions
What is a reverse tradeshow?
Our innovative Marketplace system matches planners and suppliers for individual appointments based on their requests, as well as additional factors. Planners sit at designated tables and suppliers have 1-2 minutes to travel between appointments. A chime signifies the beginning and end of each appointment
How much does registration cost?
Registration starts at $4,750. Non-appointment attendee registration is $2,000. Talk to your regional sales rep for more information.
How do I book my hotel room?
Supplier attendees will receive a special rate at our host hotel when they use the official.
What is the last day to book my hotel?
Deadline information coming soon.
How does the appointment process work?
Planners and suppliers will receive an email stating that the appointment request process is open. Mutual requests get priority, then planner requests are granted, followed by supplier requests. It is not a first-come, first-served process. As long as you complete your requests by the designated end date, your appointment selections will be granted the appropriate priority.
You will receive an email prior to the show with instructions for logging into the appointment portal.
When will I receive my appointments?
The portal opens roughly one week prior to the event. We are anticipating you will get your appointment schedule 24 to 48 hours before the show.