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Sneak Preview of Tours in Minneapolis

by Janet Dickelman

Correction: The telephone number in the November article for paratransit was incorrect. The correct phone number is (651) 602-1111.
 
Don’t just dream about being at the ACB 2016 conference and convention; come to Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes, and be a part of the excitement!  The city of Minneapolis and the Hyatt Regency Hotel are getting ready for ACB’s arrival. By the time you read this article, plans will be well under way for the 2016 convention!
 
Convention dates are Friday, July 1st through Saturday, July 9th.  Opening general session is Sunday evening, July 3rd. This is always a very exciting and moving evening. Daily general sessions are held Monday through Thursday (7/4 through 7/7) and all day Friday, July 8th.  We are working on obtaining an amazing speaker for our banquet Friday evening. Our exhibit hall opens on Saturday, July 2nd and will remain open through Wednesday, July 6th.  This is a must-visit area filled with items of technology, health, daily living and recreation. 

Tours, Tours and More Tours!

Full tour descriptions will be listed on the convention registration form and will be sent out to the convention announce list. In order to assist with your convention planning, what follows is a list of tours by day.

Friday, July 1st

  1. Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum: Whether you were a fan of the “Little House” books or just enjoy learning about life as a pioneer, this tour is for you. The museum has numerous hands-on memorabilia, you’ll learn many bits of history and you’ll love the gift shop with everything “Little House,” including Charlotte (Laura’s doll), and Jack the Ingalls dog! While we are in Walnut Grove, Minn., we will visit a sod dug-out, have a chance to walk along a prairie trail with prairie grasses and wildflowers, take a driving tour of Walnut Grove, including a stop to ring the bell that Pa donated to the church, and have lunch provided by Nellie’s Deli in authentic lunch pails. We will stop in New Ulm and have dinner at Turner Hall, the oldest bar-restaurant in Minnesota. On the way back to the hotel, we will visit Minnesota’s largest candy store in Jordan. The store features any candy you can imagine, from the old-fashioned penny candy to fudge. You can also find any type of pop, along with mustards, jams, salsas, cheeses, mixes for breads and cakes and homemade pies, and more!
  1. Dinner Minnesota style: Visit a local establishment for a great dinner sure to include, among other things, Minnesota’s most popular fish, walleye. Don’t worry, meat lovers; there will be plenty of options for you, too!

Saturday, July 2nd

  1. Guthrie Theater: An audio-described performance of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “South Pacific.” This tour includes lunch and a sensory tour, which will allow patrons to explore some of the props, costumes and set pieces used in the musical.
  2. City bus tour: Sit back in comfort as your guide describes the sights of the city.
  3. Mall of America: Shop ‘til you drop! Shuttles will be provided from the hotel to the mall.

Sunday, July 3rd

  1. Fishing experience: What could be better than fishing on a lake in the land of 10,000 lakes! The early bird catches the worm as you fish with a guide in a four-person boat on Lake Minnetonka and participate in a fishing contest. Breakfast will be provided.
  2. City bus tours: Sit back in comfort as your guide describes sites of the city.
  3. Canterbury Downs: Enjoy horseracing and lunch in our own private suite at the racetrack.
  4. Franconia Sculpture Park: Accessible to all. This is an active artist residency where artists live, create, and exhibit three-dimensional artwork in a singular location. Explore the 43-acre sculpture exhibition of 100+ large-scale sculptures. Visit with Franconia’s artists in residence in the outdoor studio and learn about works in progress. Discover the ideas, concepts, themes, and processes of the work with behind-the-scenes information from your tour guide.

Monday, July 4th

  1. Hot air balloon tour: A sunrise hot air balloon ride where you will float along at treetop level in the Saint Croix River Valley.
  2. Mall of America: More shopping!
  3. Beach party:  Join ACB for a late afternoon visit to a local lake and a picnic dinner.

Tuesday, July 5th

  1. Cathedral tour: Visit the Cathedral of Saint Paul and the Basilica of St. Mary’s. Both churches are over 100 years old and chock-full of history. Lots of hands-on artifacts; we may even get to hear the pipe organ played! 
  2. Bakken Museum of Electricity: This is a unique experience to learn about the history of electricity through many hands-on exhibits. There is even a short film depicting how Frankenstein was developed by author Mary Shelley.  There is a great gift shop with lots of fun science items.
  3. Minnesota Landscape Arboretum: Enjoy lunch and strolls through sensory gardens, fragrance gardens and a tram ride through the arboretum.
  4. Minnesota Twins game: Visit Target Field for an evening of fun when the Twins take on the Oakland A’s! Your ticket will include a $15 food voucher to use at any stadium concession stand.

Wednesday, July 6th

  1. The Pavek Museum of Broadcasting: During the 20th century, radio and television helped transform America from a collection of far-flung regions to a nation knit together with a common culture. This museum is jammed with broadcasting artifacts that tell the story. From old radios and equipment to numerous broadcasts and air checks, the museum is a must-visit for anyone interested in radio history or broadcasting!
  2. Candy tour: Knoke’s Chocolate! A great way to spend an afternoon. Knoke’s is just a short drive over to Wisconsin. You can enjoy homemade chocolates, 32 flavors of ice cream, and assorted nuts and other confections. While part of the group is sampling these delights, you will be able to visit shops in the area, gift shops, dress shops, an art museum, and much more. If you are feeling adventurous, you can walk down a couple of blocks and enjoy the sights along the St. Croix River.

Thursday, July 7th

  1. Hot air balloon tour: A sunrise hot air balloon ride where you will float along at treetop level in the Saint Croix River Valley.
  2. Minnesota State Academy for the Blind and Minnesota Library
  3. Concert in the park: Take a stroll around Lake Harriet or just enjoy being outdoors. After supper at the lake, enjoy a musical performance at the band shell.
  4. Tour to be announced.

Saturday, July 9th

  1. Brewery tour: Visit Summit Brewery for a personalized tour, including how beer is brewed, beer sampling, a special tasting of hops, malt and other beer ingredients, and wrap it up with a visit to the gift shop. This tour will also include lunch at a local diner.
  2. Mississippi riverboat cruise: End your week with great food and friends while cruising down the Mississippi.

Scheduling Events

When scheduling an event at the 2016 conference and convention, please keep the following times in mind. Breakfasts begin at 7:00; lunches begin at 12:15.
 
There are five afternoon session times:
Session one (1:15 to 2:30) is reserved for special-interest affiliates.
Sessions two (2:45 to 4:00) and three (4:15 to 5:30) are open to special-interest affiliates and ACB committees.
Sessions four (5:45 to 7:00) and five (7:15 to 8:30) are available to affiliates, committees and others not affiliated with ACB.
 
If you wish to schedule programs or activities in Minneapolis, including activities outside the hotel, you need to make all arrangements, including reserving meeting rooms, ordering food or audio-visual equipment, etc., by contacting me directly at (651) 428-5059 or via e-mail,[email protected].
 
In order to be listed on the registration form, information must be submitted to me by April 1st.

Stay Connected

Once again this year the convention announce list will be filled with information about the convention. Subscribe to the list today by sending a blank e-mail to [email protected]. If you’ve been on the list in the past, you need not subscribe again.
 
Don’t have e-mail? No problem! Convention updates will also be featured on ACB Radio and by telephone through Audio Now at (605) 475-8130.

Hotel Details

Room rates at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis are $89 single or double. There is an additional $10 per night charge per person for up to four people in a room. Applicable state and local taxes are currently 13.4%.  For reservations by telephone, call Central Reservations at 1-888-421-1442, and be sure to mention you are attending the ACB convention in order to obtain our room rate. To make reservations online, visit http://www.acb.org and follow the 2016 convention link.

Convention Contacts

2016 exhibit information: Michael Smitherman, (601) 331-7740,[email protected]
2016 advertising and sponsorships: Margarine Beaman, (512) 921-1625,[email protected]
 
For any other convention-related questions, contact Janet Dickelman, convention chair, at (651) 428-5059 or via e-mail, [email protected].