Convention Center Committee - March 21, 2025
CONVENTION CENTER COMMITTEE MEETING
March 21, 2025
1:00 p.m.
Present: Katlyn Balstad, Charley Johnson, Mallari Ackerman, Clare Hughes, Joe Raso, Kent Kolstad, Emma McIntyre, Taylor Snelling, Tim Mahoney, Dave Piepkorn, Shannon Full (via video conference), Michelle Turnberg.
Absent: Denise Kolpack, John Strand.
Others Present: Jim Gilmour, Assistant City Attorney Erik Johnson (via video conference), Michael Redlinger, Susan Thompson, Executive Director of Fox Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau Pam Seidl.
Charley Johnson said Warren Wilkinson from Visit Overland Park who was going to speak to the Committee today had to cancel due to a legislative commitment. He said he will join the meeting on April 4th instead.
Mr. Johnson outlined the itinerary for the Convention Center tour which will include:
• Tour of the St. Cloud River’s Edge Convention Center with Sales Coordinator Rich Gallus.
• Meet with Rachel Thompson from Visit Greater St. Cloud.
• Dinner at Crave in Rochester with Mayo Civic Center Vice President of Marketing and Communications Bill Von Bank.
• Tour of the Mayo Civic Center.
• Lunch scheduled before departure from Rochester.
Mr. Johnson wanted to confirm that Visit Fargo Moorhead has hired HVS to conduct a study that can be used in conjunction with the RFP. He said he sent the scope of work to the Committee. He said the analysis is expected by approximately April 20th.
Commissioner Turnberg inquired about the potential impact of the proposed casino in Moorhead on the Convention Center plans Mr. Johnson said the casino would not hinder their plans and could potentially benefit the area by providing additional meeting space.
Mr. Johnson and Mallari Ackerman agreed the casino would help with attracting Minnesota association business.
In response to a question from Commissioner Piepkorn asking about delays in construction and the tax benefit of that, Mr. Johnson said he would like to clarify the lodging tax would not take effect until a project is selected and approved by the City Commission. He also stated the lodging tax would expire in 2028 if no project is selected.
Mr. Johnson introduced Pam Seidl, who is his counterpart from Fox Cities, Wisconsin, to discuss their Exhibition Center.
Ms. Seidl provided a history of the Fox Cities Exhibition Center, noting its 30-year development process. She explained the center’s location in Appleton, Wisconsin attached to the Hilton Appleton Paper Valley Hotel. Ms. Seidl explained the importance of the attached hotel and the difficulty of hotel development in the area without the convention center. She described the process of raising the lodging tax to 10% across 10 municipalities to fund the Exhibition Center and a sports facility, the operation of the tourism zone and the division of the 10% lodging tax. She described the relationship between the City of Appleton, the RDA and the Paper Valley Hotel in the ownership and management of the Exhibition Center. She also discussed the allowance of outside catering at the Exhibition Center, alongside the hotels catering and the liquor license being held by the Paper Valley Hotel.
Ms. Siedl discussed lessons learned in the construction of the Exhibition Center, including:
• The importance of balancing operational costs.
• The need for flexible space design to accommodate diverse client needs.
• Considerations for kitchen space, acoustics and accessibility.
• The high cost of escalator maintenance.
She also provided information about the square footage of the exhibition center and the ability to divide the space in addition to the square footage of the attached kitchen. She also confirmed there is a swimming pool within the attached hotel.
The Committee asked further questions regarding the operation, management and design of the Fox Cities Exhibition Center. Discussion included catering, liquor licensing, facility management and facility design.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:56 p.m.