Minneapolis (August 1, 2025) – The Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC) has been recognized as one of North America’s best-managed venues, earning a 2025 Venue Excellence Award by the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM). One of the highest honors in the industry, the award recognizes the MCC’s outstanding achievements in operational excellence, safety and security, professional development, and community service. The MCC is one of only five venues to receive this year’s prestigious recognition.

“This industry honor is a direct result of the passion, professionalism and dedication of our incredible team,” said Jeff Johnson, Executive Director of the MCC. “Every day, our staff brings their best to create meaningful and memorable experiences for our clients, guests and community. From operations and security to sales, guest services and sustainability, every member of our team helped earn this award – it truly belongs to them.”

In 2024, nearly 200 events at the MCC and more than 719,000 attendees helped sustain over 10,000 tourism and hospitality jobs in the community. In addition, the MCC generated an estimated economic activity of $523 million for the city of Minneapolis in 2024 and helped generate over $26 million in local tax revenue

The MCC award submission highlighted several areas of success:

• Operations: The MCC staff delivered seamless event execution through cross-departmental collaboration, real-time client support, and continuous process improvement, resulting in consistently strong client satisfaction.
• Safety and Security: In 2024, the MCC recorded zero OSHA incidents across nearly 300,000 work hours. The staff was also supported by renewed law enforcement partnerships, real-time emergency response tools, and comprehensive staff training, including human trafficking awareness.
• Professional Development: The MCC demonstrated a continued committed to the development of its staff through hands-on training, entry-level career pathways, long-running internship programs, cultural awareness education, equitable hiring practices, and national certification opportunities.
• Service to the Community: Through food recovery, rental grants, educational tours and hands-on philanthropy, the MCC supported local nonprofits, students and the greater Minneapolis community. In addition, the MCC remained an industry leader in environmental stewardship, powered by 100% renewable energy, a 60% recycling rate and a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 85% since 2008.

This marks the third time the MCC has received this industry-leading award, previously winning in 2014 and 2018.

The 2025 award winners were formally honored during IAVM's 100th VenueConnect Annual Conference and Trade Show held July 28-31 in New Orleans.

For more information on the MCC, visit www.minneapolisconventioncenter.com. For MCC images, including IAVM award presentation photos, go here and here.

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ABOUT THE MINNEAPOLIS CONVENTION CENTER
The Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC) is owned by the City of Minneapolis and marketed through Meet Minneapolis. The 1.6 million square foot facility features 475,000 square feet of exhibit space, a 3,400 fixed-seat auditorium, 87 meeting rooms and two ballrooms. The MCC is GBAC STAR, LEED, SITES and GMIC certified and works to serve its constituencies and stakeholders as the face of Minneapolis to visitors. Learn more about the MCC here.

MEDIA CONTACTS
Kevin Kurtt, PR & Communications Manager, o 612-767-8118, c 952-288-9319, KevinK@minneapolis.org
Kathy McCarthy, Senior PR & Communications Director, o 612-767-8048, c 612-508-9720, KathyM@minneapolis.org