Top Ten Reasons to Get Excited About Minneapolis

Jehan and I are excited to welcome you to Minneapolis for our 2026 conference. Here are the top ten reasons why Minneapolis is the perfect place for us to explore and enjoy.

1. Perfect Summer Weather: July brings sunny days averaging 83°F with low humidity and cool evenings, perfect for exploring. Our hotel is close to the Mississippi River, where walking and bike trails make it easy to connect with nature between sessions. 

2. Stunning Lakes: The “City of Lakes” boasts over 20 pristine lakes within the city limits, including the iconic Chain of Lakes. Minnesotans *love* their lakes in the summer, and you’ll see why when we are there.

3. World-Class Food: From James Beard Award winners to the famous “Jucy Lucy” burger, Minneapolis delivers incredible culinary experiences at not-New York prices. Owamni, an indigenous restaurant that won the 2022 James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant in the U.S., is three blocks from our hotel. 

4. Vibrant Arts: If you like art, you’ll love Minneapolis. The Walker Art Center is one of the country’s premier modern art museums (with a delightful plant-filled café), while the more comprehensive Minneapolis Art Institute is free to the public every day.

5. Happy People: Minneapolis is one of the happiest cities in the world, according to the 2025 Institute for the Quality of Life’s global rankings, and one of only two U.S. cities to achieve that ranking. 

6. Mill City Museum: Discover the fascinating history of America’s flour milling capital in this beautifully preserved riverside complex, a short walk from our hotel. We’ll have the museum to ourselves one evening. 

7. Festivals Galore: July brings outdoor concerts, food festivals, farmers’ markets and the Minneapolis Aquatennial celebration to town while we are there.

8. Easy Transportation: Light rail connects the airport directly to downtown, making it inexpensive and easy to get to our hotel, while bike-share programs and walkable neighborhoods make getting around easy. 

9. Historic Hotel: Our conference program will all take place on one floor of the Renaissance Depot, a historic (1899) railway terminal that has been converted into a modern Marriott hotel with a pool and gym.

10. Legendary Music: While Minneapolis is inextricably linked to Prince, it offers a vibrant live music scene that spans genres and decades. 

We can’t wait to welcome you to Minneapolis next July!

Take a look at our past conferences, including locations and schedules.