St. Cloud Area Comic Lovers Visit Lioncon at the River’s Edge

Anime, comic books, video games, and all things nerd livened the River’s Edge Convention Center when LionHeart Games of Waite Park presented LionCon on Saturday, August 27th.

Justin Willard, owner of LionHeart games, organized the event. Planning began in January 2016, but until LionCon, St. Cloud had never seen a comic con-esque event like this.

Conventions like this are sometimes misunderstood. In the last few decades, the term “nerd” has come to be used as a term of endearment rather than an insult. Conventions such as LionCon are an opportunity to bring like-minded people together to celebrate arts and entertainment that they love and that have been sadly lacking in Central Minnesota.

LionCon showcased game displays, comic book and graphic novel displays and artists, toys, and plenty of fans dressed up as their favorite video game, movie, and TV show characters. Attendees played board games and role-playing games and some took part in a cosplay competition.

The first in Central Minnesota, LionCon provided the opportunity for area comic book convention fans to stay a little bit closer to home. Popular conventions pop up annually in the Twin Cities, but in St. Cloud, we have yet to begin a tradition of our own.

Justin Willard hopes to hold the convention again next year, making it even bigger than the success it was this time around. Plans for next year at this point are preliminary, but it seems that the St. Cloud River’s Edge Convention Center can expect a 2-day event for LionCon 2017. Area fans can only hope that LionCon will grow and continue for years to come.

The 2016 Minnesota Quilters Show and Conference

The Minnesota Quilters will be holding their 38th Annual Quilt Show and Conference at the River's Edge Convention Center in downtown St. Cloud from June 9-11. Minnesota Quilters, Inc. is a non-profit organization comprised of volunteers who celebrate the craft of quilting. The organization is rooted in learning the history and new advancements in quilting in all its forms, as well as documenting the art and craft of quilting in Minnesota.

The organization was founded in 1978 as a result of renewed interest in quilting, brought on by the U.S. Bicentennial. The first 18 women were assessed $10 dues to battle the seemingly high postage costs of the time. They also worked tirelessly on the task of recruiting for and setting up the organization.

In their first year, the group was invited to quilt at the Minnesota State Fair - a group of 40 women. Despite rain and building and location switches, the booth was manned by volunteers for ten days - at the end of which the displayed quilt was completed. The first official show was held in 1979 in St. Paul. Meetings were held in different areas in order to allow more attendance. One of the largest in the first year was seen at the Dakota County Fair, in which 95 people attended. Now, the annual Minnesota Quilters’ Show and Conference is the largest volunteer quilt show in the U.S., draws visitors from around the world and is one of the premier quilting events in the country.

Once a one-page publication produced from a typewriter, you can now view the MQ Newsletter on their website. The schedule of events for the 2016 MQ Quilt show and conference - which includes exhibits, classes, lectures, awards, actions and more - can be viewed here.

If you’d like to get involved in quilting, check out the 2016 Minnesota “Hail to Thee” challenge fabrics, consisting of two groups - a blue/green/gold group and an orange/red group. Using these fabrics, contestants must make a quilt, clothing item, or three-dimensional piece that depicts something they like about Minnesota. You can pick up your packet at any MQ monthly meeting, at the MQ office in Minneapolis, or by calling (612) 436-0449. Packets cost $18.

Although registration for the show has ended, classes that have remaining space and regular lectures may be purchased at the registration desk. You can contact Minnesota Quilters, Inc. on their website, or send an email to quilter@mnquilt.org for more information.

Why Hosting Prom at River's Edge is a Good Idea

One of the most anticipated high school seasons is fast approaching — prom season! Prom is a time for dancing, dressing up and making lifelong memories with friends. Though prom is undoubtedly one of the most unforgettable high school memories, it can be a pain for parents and schools to set up for their kids. That’s why you should book your school’s prom at River’s Edge Convention Center.

Tons of space

No matter the theme, activities, or size of the crowd, the River’s Edge has the space that you can customize to fit your needs. For example, our pre-function space will work perfectly as a backdrop for prom photos. We’ve got 150,000 square feet of space, including a 16,000-square foot ballroom. Download a colored map of the floor plan, or check out our full brochure for more details.

Decorating

At the River’s Edge, you can do all the decorating yourself. Assemble a prom committee, designate a group of art students, or recruit parents or volunteers to help. You also have the option of hiring a professional to do it for you — we’ve got a great list of them on file!

Catering

With the connections we have, you can bet you’ll find tons of catering options for a beautiful evening. Don’t worry about the setup, after party clean-up, or refilling food and beverages throughout the night. We’ve got it all under control.

Equipment Rental

Worried about finding a rental company for prom? Luckily, you don’t have to go through another company to rent your equipment. We’ve got everything you need to host a fun prom: dance floors, pianos, podiums, tables and chairs, microphones, projectors, spotlights and much more. Read our Material Service Price Guide for more information.

We Provide Services

Worried about housekeeping? Not sure if there will be enough parking? Nervous about setting up and executing the perfect slideshow or video? We can help. Just let us know about all your event details and service needs before the event, and our friendly staff will be happy to help.

Planning the perfect prom at the River’s Edge Convention Center makes perfect sense. If we haven’t convinced you yet, contact us with your questions and concerns.

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 Draws a Large Crowd

The second annual Made in Minnesota Expo took place November 21 at the River’s Edge Convention Center.

More than 100 Minnesota-based businesses had stands set up during the event, which lasted from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. The expo focuses on businesses that produce their products based out of the Land of 10,000 Lakes and allows them face-to-face interaction with customers to pitch their products.

Admission was free, courtesy of St. Cloud Red Wing Shoe Store. A large crowd of more than 1,000 came out to partake in free samples, games and giveaways and also got the chance to speak with local business owners.

It was also a good chance for the public to get some Christmas shopping done with a lot of products being on sale during the event.

The crowd was able to sample hot dish, nachos, granola, chocolate — among other things — during the expo.

The crowd could also register for a $500 stay at Cragun’s Resort in Brainerd. The public could also explore a luxury ice house and the comforts that come with it in the west corner of the room.

A large contingent also gathered to take part in a session with the Trivia Ninjas. There was a bounce house on hand for the youngsters to burn off some energy while their parents did some exploring.

In addition, free massages were available from HealthSource Chiropractic.

The expo was presented by Smude Sunflower Oil and Townsquare Media.

Some events happening in January at the River’s Edge include the Pleasureland Scratch and Dent Show on New Year’s Day, the St. Cloud Wedding Expo on January 10, the St. Cloud Craft Beer Tour on January 16 and Catholic Charities’ Mardi Gras on January 23.

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:

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 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!

Minnesota Quilt Show and Conference 2014

Calling all quilting enthusiasts! The 36th annual Minnesota Quilt Show and Conference is kicking off on June 12th, and we here at River’s Edge Convention Center are pleased to be the host!

The popular event brings quilters of all ages from around Minnesota together for three days of classes, lectures, exhibits and a final-day auction - all related to the time-honored tradition of quilting.

The conference technically begins on June 11th; at that time, you can register, meet some
of the guest teachers and lecturers, and take a peek at the Merchant Mall, where you can
purchase handmade items throughout the exhibition.

While advance registration has already closed, you’re definitely still invited to drop by downtown St. Cloud to take in what the show has to offer. Check with the admissions staff at the entrance to see a list of speakers and classes - even if you haven’t registered yet, you might still be able to find an opening in an event you’d like to attend.

As far as logistics are concerned, quilts and vendors will be hosted within the River's Edge
Convention Center in the Terry Hawes and Glenn Carlson Halls. Lectures will be held at the
adjacent Kelly Inn, and classes will be held at the in the River’s Edge Convention Center and
the Kelly Inn.

The River’s Edge is within a stone’s throw of a goodly amount of fine dining, but you’re also
welcome to lunch poolside at the Kelly Inn. They’ll be offering multi-course lunches and
beverages each day from 11am-1pm. The concession stand in River’s Edge Convention Center will also be serving snacks and drinks throughout the day.

If getting around is a challenge for you or a loved one, and you’d still like to visit the quilt show, it’s not an issue; MN Mobility will be on hand with a variety of scooters and other mobility gear. They’ll be stationed in the main lobby of the convention center, but if you’d like to make advanced reservations, visit their website.

The cost to attend varies depends on age and Minnesota Quilters, Inc. membership; to see the breakdown, visit their website.

Minnesota Quilters, Inc. is a volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to the celebration of quilting. Our activities and events are structured to honor the past, celebrate the present, and nurture the future of this time-honored traditional craft in all its forms.

The Art-o-Mat

River’s Edge Convention Center features the internationally used Art-o-Mat. Art-o-Mat is a
transformed retired cigarette vending machine that vends original artwork for the low price of $5.00. River’s Edge’s Art-o-Mat is located on the second floor and is a glossy sky blue color. Over 400 artists contribute their work to be showcased in the various dispensers around the world.

River’s Edge has always been an advocate for the art world; the Art-o-Mat is a unique piece of artwork that was first developed by Clark Whittington in 1997. While observing a friend unwrap a cellophane snack, Whittington noticed he had a Pavlovian reaction to the crinkling sound and developed a strong urge for one as well. This is how his idea for Artists in Cellophane was created and why we have the Art-o-Mat today. The mission of AIC is to combine art and commerce in a creative way to encourage art consumption. The idea is that when you hear a patron unwrapping their artwork, you will want one too.

Art-o-Mat accepts submissions from all levels of artists. Digital prints, inkjet desktop prints,
photocopies are rarely included in the Art-o-Mat’s because the “human touch” vs. something
mechanized is much more appealing. You could receive a piece of jewelry, sculpture, painting, drawing or an art piece that fits into these little boxes.

The Art-o-Mat has an element of mystery and intrigue that is sure to delight you with a pleasant memento.

To “kerplunk” your own Art-o-Mat art work come visit us during our open hours: http://bit.ly/1lyvR7z

To become an Artist in Cellophane visit: http://bit.ly/1lyvR7z