5 Questions to Ask Before Planning a Company Conference

Imagine you’ve been given the task of booking your company’s next big meeting and you’re not sure where to start. You can’t go over budget, you need a location that is convenient for everyone attending, but you still want to wow and impress. Event planning can be tricky, but with a few pointed questions, you can set up your next business conference with ease.

What is the Agenda for the Meeting?

Knowing the agenda ahead of time is critical. Booking a holiday party, for example, will differ from a corporate conference. Understanding the goals your company wants to accomplish in their next get-together is important and knowing the task at hand will allow you to make a list of resources you’ll need to get started.

What is the Allotted Budget for the Meeting?

Before you get carried away with your list of event materials, it’s important to know your budget. If you want to save money on your next event, a little creativity can go a long way. One example of event planning thriftiness is to use paperless invites.

Which Amenities Will We Need for the Meeting?

To get a list started, think about the meeting’s agenda and talking points. Will you have a speaker? Will there be multiple speakers? Is there ample parking available? What kind of technology will you need? While you probably have a good picture in mind, this may save you from overlooking a key part of what you need for a company gathering.

How Should I Promote My Event?

If your event is a company-wide get-together, sticking with email should be completely safe. If the budget and theme allows, a mailed invitation could spice things up. But what if your company is promoting an expo or trade show? You’ll need to meticulously plan a marketing strategy to attract the right attendees.

• Use social media
• Try your hand at email marketing
• Contact previous customers
• Create incentives for customers to help promote your event
• Place flyers in key locations

Do I Need a Contingency Plan for My Event?

If your event doesn’t go as planned, relax. In event planning, an important thing to remember is that leaving an option for things to go wrong increases its likelihood of happening, so a good plan B is a must-have. Visit mindtools.com for ideas on creating the perfect contingency plan.

You’ve made your list, checked it twice, and have a few extra tricks up your sleeve. If you’ve asked yourself these key questions and prepared in advance, your organization’s conference should go off without a hitch. Be sure to subscribe for more tips on event planning and view the available rooms at the St. Cloud River’s Edge Convention Center for your next company meeting.

Upcoming Events at the River's Edge Convention Center

Coming up in 2017 are several events at the St. Cloud River’s Edge Convention Center. Offering resources on weddings, recreational activities, farming, and more, make sure that you don’t miss out!

St. Cloud School District 742 Expo

January 7, 2017 – 9 AM to Noon

Expand your knowledge about the school district at this year’s St. Cloud Area School District 742 Education Expo. There will be activities and exhibits covering everything from early childhood development to area universities and colleges. Students of all ages and their parents will enjoy:

• The Riddler’s Escape Room
• Airmaxx Bounce House
• On-site Interviews and Job Fair
• Minneapolis Crayola Experience
• A Firetruck, Police Car, and School Bus  
• Much, Much More!

St. Cloud Wedding Expo

January 15, 2017 – 10 AM to 12 PM

Twice a year, the St. Cloud Wedding Expo connects couples with an incredible network of wedding industry specialists that can make your wedding planning an exciting time. With over 80 professional businesses present, you will get a chance to experience the newest trends in wedding décor, themes, and fashion. Join us in January to begin planning your dream wedding. For ticket information, visit the St. Cloud Wedding Expo.

St. Cloud Craft Beer Tour

January 21, 2017 – 2 PM to 5 PM

If you consider yourself a beer connoisseur, get ready for a special treat this January. The River’s Edge Convention Center will host the fifth annual St. Cloud Craft Beer Tour. With over 250 different beers from 60 local breweries and 15 cideries, there will be a plethora of cold ones for you to choose from. For a preview of beers to come, take a look at the list of breweries attending.

The 29th Annual Sportsmen’s Show

February 10-12, 2017

For the outdoor enthusiasts out there, the Sportsmen’s Show will be back in February with the best of the best for all things recreational. With top-of-the-line fishing boats, tech-driven camping and fishing gear, and the latest campers and trailers, the hardest part will be waiting for the return of fairer weather! Whether you picked up a new hobby or are hoping to gain more skills and resources, the Sportsmen’s Show will feature excellent hunting and fishing seminars that will be useful for the whole family. For a complete schedule and information on tickets, visit stcloudsportshow.com.

St. Cloud Boat Show

February 17-19, 2017

Looking to upgrade or replace your boat this year? Central Minnesota’s most popular dealers will be on exhibit this February at the Convention Center for the St. Cloud Boat Show.Boats for every lifestyle - from canoes to pontoons - will be on display. Compare models, dealers, and prices to make your best purchase. Don’t forget to check out the best docks, lifts, and other accessories available in the area.   

PleasureLand Camp & Travel Show

February 23-26, 2017

This year marks the 46th annual PleasureLand RV Camp and Travel Expo. Free to the public, there will be over 100 campers, RV’s and trailers on display. Visit the exhibits of area campgrounds and start planning your summer getaways around the state. Check out last year’s recap of the event to learn more.

The Central Minnesota Farm Show

February 28 - March 2, 2017 – 9 AM to 4 PM

The Central Minnesota Farm Show features a wonderful variety of educational opportunities in the farming industry and the agricultural field. Explore special offers and products, as well as network with farmers and agricultural educators from across the state. For event details or to sign up as a volunteer, visit the Central Minnesota Farm Show page at the St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce website.

The Central Minnesota Builders Association Home Show

March 10-12, 2017

A homeowner’s dream event, the CMBA Home Show will feature hundreds of vendors to help with your home building dreams as well as seminars on home planning, landscaping, and the Kids Building Project. The Home Show will also feature gardening tips from KARE 11’s Bobby Jensen, who has decades of experience in environmental services and landscaping. To register for a booth or for more event details, visit the CMBA Homeshow page.

Don’t miss out on the events happening in central Minnesota this winter. There is always something new to learn and explore going on at the River’s Edge Convention Center!

2016 PleasureLand RV Camp and Travel Expo

The 45th annual PleasureLand RV Camp and Travel Expo gets under way on Thursday, February 18, at the River’s Edge Convention Center.

The expo, which started in 1971, is free and open to the public.

There will be more than 100 new RV units taking up the convention center floor. There were 125 units at last year’s show, according to PleasureLand assistant sales manager Vinny Binsfeld.

“Last year we put in more units than we have ever had before,” said Binsfeld, who has worked for PleasureLand for 11 years. “It’s really expanded more and more every year.”

There will be everything from motorhomes, travel trailers, ice houses to pop-up campers at the expo.

The expo goes from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, February 21.

Some of the companies represented at the expo will include Winnebago, Keystone, Thor, Grand Design, Forest River, Crossroads, Cruiser RV and Palomino.

Fitting in all of the RVs on the convention center floor certainly isn’t an easy task for PleasureLand to accomplish.

“The River’s Edge does a great job of working with us,” Binsfeld said. “It’s almost like putting together a puzzle. Our GM does a fantastic job of making it all happen. Sometimes it comes down to a matter of feet and inches to fit all of these units in.”

RVs have come a long way since 1971. Binsfeld said the general public will be amazed by some of the technology advancements if they step into an RV today.

“There are always floor plan and technology changes,” he said. “There are so many more features like bluetooth, LED lights, larger bathrooms. The technology continues to grow and I think people love it.”

PleasureLand has six different locations in Minnesota including two in St. Cloud and Brainerd and one each in Ramsey and Long Prairie.

Upcoming Events at the River's Edge ConventionCenter

River’s Edge has a number of exciting events coming up in the next few months and we couldn’t hold back from giving you a little preview. So mark your calendars because you won’t want to miss these!

St. Cloud Sportsmen's Show - February 5-7

From camping and outdoor equipment to travel and boats, this show will cover everything a sportsman needs to know! This show will also feature two famous speakers, Ted Takasaki and Billy Molls, who will host alternating seminars each day. This event is not just for the avid sportsman because the whole family is invited to attend. We even have unique shows running especially for families, which include (but are not limited to): The Live Trout Pond, The Great American Duck Race, and The Fur-Ever Wild show. For further information, visit stcloudsportshow.com.

St. Cloud Boat Show - February 12-14

You live in the land of 10,000 lakes. You would get real tired swimming through all of them, so how about exploring them in a new boat? The St. Cloud Boat Show has everything you’re looking for, whether it is a new pontoon to enjoy family weekends with, or a top-of-the-line fishing boat that makes fishing a whole new experience. Why settle for less when you can have the best? Help picture yourself in the best ride of the summer. Don’t forget to check out booths showcasing the latest engines, electronics, fishing gear and accessories to make this summer better than the rest! For more information, visit stcloudboatshow.com

Camp and Travel Show - February 18-21

Sick of the cold and eagerly waiting for spring? The Camp and Travel Expo is a great place to check out all the latest campers and trailers to make this summer’s vacation one to remember. Pleasureland will feature about 100 different recreational vehicles, which will make any camper’s mouth drop. Event planners say that February is the kick-off for planning summer activities, so don’t fall behind and make sure not to miss out on any specials going on during this expo. Best of all, admission is free!

Central Minnesota Farm Show - February 23-25

Come check out the Central Minnesota Farm Show, which showcases agricultural equipment, electric motors, barn flooring, milking equipment and other products in the Agriculture & Forestry field. There will be more than 300 professional vendors from the five-state area on hand to talk about their new products and services for the upcoming year. Come hang out with those who know how to grow.

Central Minnesota Wellness Expo - March 5

New Years Eve resolution dying down? Not sure what more you can do? The Central Minnesota Wellness Expo has all the information you need from health to fitness and even a little general wellness. This is your go-to expo where you can learn all you need to know about health and wellness without the pressure of buying anything. The show will also feature amazing guest speakers who will talk about how to unlock your full potential. To get a sneak peak of which exhibits will be there, and a preview of what you can expect, visit centralmnwellnessexpo.com

St. Cloud Home Show - March 11-13

One of the most anticipated events of the season is St. Cloud Home Show put on by the Central Minnesota Builders Association. This show will have more than 200 exhibits displaying enchanting landscapes, breath-taking carpentry and vendors from all over the state to help with those special projects that make your house a home.

There will also be seminars on DIY gardening, beekeeping, home building and selling tips as well as a project and play area for the kids and a fish fry and music on Friday. The show will also be auctioning off a brand new home. Don’t miss out on this year’s biggest show. With more than 5,000 people attending, you’re going to want to come early.

Check in with Facebook and Twitter to keep up with up-to-date information on these upcoming events and other sneak peaks!

MADE IN MINNESOTA EXPO PREVIEW

The Made in Minnesota Expo returns to the St. Cloud River’s Edge Convention Center this Saturday, November 21st. The expo, presented by Smude Sunflower Oil and Townsquare Media, runs from 10 am to 4 pm. Admission is free, courtesy of St. Cloud Red Wing Shoe Store. The expo focuses on businesses that are based out of Minnesota or produce their products in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

Looking to start your holiday shopping? You’ll find something special, unique, and made in Minnesota, as most of the retailers will have items for sale. 

Last Year's Expo was the first year for the event, and it drew quite a crowd. So if you’re looking for a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon, stop by the River’s Edge Convention Center this Saturday for the 2015 Made in Minnesota Expo!

While you learn more about some local companies, test out some free hot dish samples (what’s more Minnesotan than hot dish?) and register to win a $500 stay at Cragun’s Resort in Brainerd. You can also test your brain power by playing trivia with local trivia masters, the Trivia Ninjas. For the youngsters, there will be a bounce house to help them burn off some energy.

The expo allows businesses face-to-face interaction with customers and allows them to pitch their products from all over the state. With a cold weekend anticipated, come inside to the River’s Edge Convention Center and see what products our great state has to offer! 

This year's vendors include:

Fall Fun Fest 2015 at River’s Edge Convention Center

The Joy Christian Center’s Fall Fun Fest drew a packed crowd to the St. Cloud River’s Edge Convention Center this Halloween.

The event (which went from 1-5 p.m.) was free and open to the public and collected donations for area food shelves.

Originally held in a shed, the event started in 1998 and only drew in about 100 people. Seventeen Halloweens later, the Fall Fun Fest was held in the River’s Edge Convention Center and was expected to host around 5,000 - a successful improvement.

Kids that came to event played games and left the River’s Edge with their trick or treat bags filled with candy. Most of the parents and kids in attendance were decked out in their best costumes.

There were more than 100 games to play and a puppet show was also performed. Kids could also have their faces painted, burn off some energy in bouncing castles, and have their pictures taken in front of Halloween backgrounds.

Was your halloween just as successful? Leave us a comment and tell us about it!

2015 Toward Zero Deaths Conference

More than 900 traffic safety advocates came together in St. Cloud Oct. 29-30 at the River’s Edge Convention Center for the annual Toward Zero Deaths Conference.

New York Times reporter and best-selling author Matt Richtel, the author of Confessions of a Phone Addict: Distracted Driving and the Brain was the headline speaker to open the conference on Thursday.

Richtel provided a presentation describing the relationship between our brains and our smartphones and other gadgets. He broke down why they are so alluring to use while driving, even at high speeds and in bad weather.

Richtel also talked about why phones are so compelling to use while driving even though we know the great risk that goes with it. He tried to provide changes and solutions that the people in attendance could use for distracted driving.

Bethany Olson spoke at the conference on Oct. 30. She shared her story about how her children survived a car crash after she made life-saving adjustments to their cart seats at a car clinic just days before the crash.

The conference was attended by law enforcement officers, emergency medical and trauma service providers, engineers, public health officials and educators from around the state.

The goal of the annual conference is to always share best practices, identify ongoing and new traffic challenges and share new approaches to reduce traffic deaths and injuries.

In a survey in 2012, 86 percent of those polled admitted that texting while driving was a bad idea. However, 40 percent of those people also admitted they still did it. The goal of TZD is to try and minimize bad driving habits as much as possible.

Toward Zero Deaths started in 2003. Since that time, the number of traffic deaths has declined 45 percent, from 655 in 2003 to 361 in 2014 - the lowest number of road fatalities in Minnesota since World War II.

The 2015 Kid’s and Parent’s Expo

The annual Kids and Parents’ Expo sponsored by McKay’s took place October 10 at the River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud.There were 44 vendors on hand for the annual event, which brought in kids and parents of all ages. Kids 12 and under were admitted free to the event.

The event was sponsored by Once Upon A Child, Geyer Rentals, Savers, Little Saints Academy, Robinson’s Fruit Shoot and Royal Tire.

Kids were able to take their pictures with Elsa from “Frozen” and Spider-Man during the day. Elsa also sang songs and read Usborne Books throughout the day. Spider-Man didn’t want to reveal his secret identity, so he kept quiet.

Kids were also able to look at a St. Cloud Fire Department fire truck up close and hop on inflatables in the “Bouncing Kidz Zone.” People seemed to enjoy the bouncing castle the most, which featured a long slide.

Kids were also able to pet animals at the Expo and try on Halloween costumes.

The River’s Edge Convention Center can easily accommodate all events from concerts, weddings and socials, trade and consumer shows, conventions and conferences for a wide array of businesses and group sizes.

The River’s Edge Convention Center includes 150,000 square feet of space, 19 meeting rooms, 60,000 square feet of exhibit space, a 16,000 square foot ballroom and flexible square configurations available for all types of events.For more information, contact us online or by phone at 1-800-450-7272.

The River’s Edge Convention Center Has A New Website!

Planning your wedding, coordinating your next businesses meeting or figuring out how you’re going to spend your next night out in St. Cloud became a whole lot easier with the launch of the River’s Edge Convention Center’s new website! The new website was built with you in mind -- the people who plan and attend events in St. Cloud’s 180,000 square foot premier destination. The website is clean, easy to navigate and all the resources you need are readily available.

The main tabs across the top of the screen direct you to the pages you need when you’re planning an event at River’s Edge Convention Center. Click on the tab you need (Weddings/Socials, Conferences, Meetings, Entertainment, Consumer/Trade Shows) and you’ll be directed to all the information and resources needed to make your event a success. You’ll have access to our building layouts, catering information, internet service, room prices and more.

Not planning an event but are looking for something fun to do in the area? Scroll down our home page for our calendar of events, parking information and directions, or you can even sign up to receive notifications about River’s Edge Convention Center news and happenings. We want your experience at our facility to be the absolute best it can be, and we are very excited to provide you with all the resources you need to make that happen. You can also stay updated about events by getting social with us; click on the social media icons on the left side of the homepage.

We look forward to seeing you at the River’s Edge Convention Center! What do you like best about our new website? Your feedback is important to us! Let us know in the comments below:

Make Your Event A Success At River's Edge

Guest Blog: DAYTA Marketing

When looking for a home for DAYTA U St. Cloud 2015, all of us at DAYTA Marketing knew we needed to go BIG. After the past couple years, our one-day social media marketing seminar for local business owners and marketers has risen dramatically in popularity, and we expected attendance to double or triple. When looking for a venue, we wanted a space that could fit everyone attending and we also needed the right equipment and technology. We went to River’s Edge Convention Center and found everything we were looking for!

The staff at River's Edge worked with us on planning the event from the time we booked until the last box was packed up at the end of the day. Their assistance made everything less stressful and made the days and weeks leading up to the big day go more smoothly. Our Director of Marketing, Ellie Backes, was able to do walkthroughs and the Convention Center's team provided great insights and tips for room layouts.

“They made themselves available the day of and checked in consistently throughout the day,” said Ellie. “I've had events where our event coordinator is nowhere to be found the day of. This definitely gave us peace of mind that if anything came up we'd have support to get it handled.”

The night before DAYTA U, we were able to go to River’s Edge Convention Center and start setting up some of our supplies and to get a feel for the rooms. We realized we needed to make some last-minute adjustments to the room layouts, and the convention center staff was there to help in an instant. We were incredibly impressed with the staff’s responsiveness and customer service.

The morning of our event we had some late registrations, which wasn’t a problem. The staff was there to add some chairs to rooms to accommodate our new students. They also helped us make extra copies of print materials. Our attendees gave us feedback about how smoothly the whole day went and how impressed they were.

During the day of a big event, small things can really create a big dent, but we had peace of mind the whole day. River’s Edge Convention Center truly is the premier destination for the best events in Central Minnesota!

Consumer Shows Bring Guests To The St. Cloud Area!

It’s that time of year again -- consumer show season! Here at the River’s Edge Convention Center, we proudly boast many large consumer shows every season. We host the Car, Home, Boat, RV, and Farm Show among many others!

These shows are held in our large exhibit halls. Our exhibit halls range in square footage from 8,000-26,000, allowing us to host events of many sizes. Our Terry Haws Center is our main consumer show room. The center is divided into three sections -- Terry Haws A is 16,000 square feet, B is 17,325 square feet, and C is 26,000 square feet. These rooms can be divided in half or joined together with other sections for an even larger space. In addition to exhibit space, we also offer many other services to make the shows go smoothly. Some of the services we offer are audio/visual equipment, basic housekeeping, electric and utilities, seating and staging, parking, and more. In addition to these services, we can also help staff events. Our staffing services include ticket takers, door guards, security, and piano tuners, among others.  

Every year, these consumer shows bring a large crowd to the St. Cloud area. Luckily, the St. Cloud area has many local attractions for our visitors to see after they attend a consumer show. In the downtown area surrounding the convention center alone, there are 41 unique dining options. Some of these dining options include Jules Bistro, Brother’s Bar and Grille, and The White Horse. To see the full list of dining options, please visit The St. Cloud Downtown’s website. The downtown area also offers an exciting nightlife scene. Some of the more popular bars include the Red Carpet, Cowboy Jacks, and the Press Bar. To view the full list of nightlife, click here. In between sessions at the consumer

shows, guests can go shopping at some unique boutiques and shops in the downtown area, including Accents, Fitzharris Ski and Sport, Rush Boutique, and more. When the night comes to an end, guests can rest their heads at one of St. Clouds luxurious hotels, such as the Le St. Germain Suite Hotel, and the Kelly Inn, among others.

Overall, the consumer show seasons offers an event for the whole family. With all of the attractions that the St. Cloud premiere area has to offer, this will be a trip worth taking! We hope to see you soon!