Non-Traditional Meeting Venues

Planners and leaders look for that distinctive something that keeps meetings from becoming ordinary or run-of-the-mill.

Event planners and company leaders know that successful off-site meetings—the ones that lead to greater employee cohesion, increased commitment and productivity, and the kind of memories that inspire loyalty and camaraderie throughout the year—have a certain element of alchemy, a “secret sauce” that keeps things from being pedestrian or ordinary.

Increasingly, this means looking at something a bit unorthodox, a non-traditional approach that can engage teams and groups in a spirit of fun and discovery. Last year, the Global Meetings Forecast predicted a rise in the use of non-traditional venues for meetings and events—and it’s a safe bet that this trend will continue. After all, companies and organizations are emphasizing engagement and awareness in their workforce—the kind of values that are demonstrated when a meeting delivers something with a different flavor.

Meeting setup at Parkview Meetings + Events Center at Mall of America.

Parkview Meetings + Events Center at Mall of America

Bloomington, Minnesota Travel & Tourism is always wearing its thinking cap when it comes to offering experiences and events for planners and executives who want to offer the best to their teams without compromising nationwide access, the best amenities, and attractions sure to let employees know their organization is world-class. With this in mind, Bloomington, Minnesota Travel & Tourism has created Under One Roof, an offering that combines luxuries with limitless opportunities for an original and distinctive experience that will inspire creativity, deliver fun, and foster the best in team bonding.

Under One Roof empowers planners and leaders to maximize their event impact by combining meeting space at three Bloomington locations: JW Marriott Minneapolis Mall of AmericaRadisson Blu Mall of America, and the global tourist destination, Mall of America®. With all three being world-class meeting destinations, planners can craft their own custom meeting or event based on the size of their group and the experiences they would like to emphasize.

Mall of America, one of the country’s great destinations for shopping, dining, and play, has captivated the imagination of tourists and visitors for decades—and its offerings for meetings are as varied as the hundreds of experiences within its spacious walls. Private meeting spaces at MOA® can be customized for groups of 15 to 700, with a variety of location options (the largest of which is a roomy 4,000 square feet). A range of state-of-the-art technology and audio-visual equipment also ensures that the content of meetings is presented with vivid clarity.

Meeting attendees in front of a roller coaster in Nickelodeon Universe.

A group attends an event at Nickelodeon Universe inside Mall of America.

Having a meeting at Mall of America might be considered non-traditional, but team members might well clamor for a yearly repeat after the first event. There’s the option of a Nickelodeon Universe® buy out, for instance, with unlimited roller coaster rides and attractions guaranteed to break down barriers and reinforce group unity. MOA offers custom team-building activities in a fun, casual environment, as well as holiday events that create memories for your company or organization.

Narrowing down the plethora of experiences at MOA might be a challenge for a hardy event planner, but it’s also half the fun. Groups can bond over the challenges of a puzzle room, unwind together over axe throwing and arcade games, or share the wonder of the varied sea life in an aquarium. Throw in more than 500 shops and dining options for every taste, along with easy access from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, and the only limit is your imagination.

The best event planners are always looking to capture a little magic, and Under One Roof is tailor-made to get the wonder started.