Minneapolis (Jan. 25, 2023) – The Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC) enjoyed a strong year of recovery in 2022 with more than 480,000 people attending nearly 220 meetings, conventions, trade shows and sporting events at the downtown venue. That business and activity at the MCC helped positively impact the recovery of the city’s tourism and hospitality businesses and its workers.

Despite a slow start to 2022 due to the COVID-19 omicron variant disrupting events in the city, the award-winning facility hosted a wide range of groups, resulting in an economic impact of nearly $188 million for the city while also supporting more than 3,500 hospitality jobs in the community. The MCC’s successful year was paced by record-setting revenue months in May, June and July, thanks to several large national conventions hosted at the largest convention center in the Upper Midwest.

Minneapolis Convention Center highlights for 2022:

• Welcomed 480,485 people to 218 events
• Produced more than $16 million in revenue, surpassing the combined revenue totals of both 2020 and 2021 by nearly $3 million
• Helped generate more than $8 million in lodging tax revenue for the City of Minneapolis (through November), surpassing the combined revenue totals of both 2020 and 2021 by more than $1.7 million

“The Minneapolis Convention Center plays an enormous role in supporting jobs, generating tax revenue and boosting visitor spending in our community,” said MCC Executive Director Jeff Johnson. “Hospitality and tourism are helping lead the recovery of the city with events downtown being the #1 factor leading people to revisit Minneapolis. During a challenging but rewarding year, I’m extremely proud of the job our team did in hosting successful events and welcoming thousands of visitors to the city.”

Some of the most well-attended events* at the MCC last year:

• Minneapolis Home & Garden Show (March 2-6, 2022) – 36,580 attendees
• NCAA Women’s Final Four Tourney Town (April 1-3, 2022) – 35,000 attendees
• Minneapolis Boat Show (Jan. 20-23, 2022) – 24,222 attendees
• Twin Cities Con (Nov. 11-13, 2022) – 19,877 attendees
• Northwest Sportshow (March 10-13, 2022) – 19,552 attendees
• Northern Lights Qualifier (March 18-20 & 25-27, 2022) – 18,000 attendees
• Jurassic Quest (Feb. 4-6, 2022) – 13,737 attendees
• Minneapolis Gift & Art Expo (Nov. 4-6, 2022) – 11,000 attendees
• Minnesota NACAC College Fair (Oct. 6, 2022) – 11,000 attendees
• Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America (May 2-5, 2022) – 10,000 attendees

Thanks in part to the high number of visitors to the MCC in 2022, hotel occupancy trended upwards in Minneapolis and remained above 55% for six of the year’s last eight months. June’s hotel occupancy rate of 60.4% was the highest since October of 2019 (75.6%).

“The Meet Minneapolis sales and marketing team partners with the MCC to attract local, regional and national events to this versatile building,” said Meet Minneapolis President and CEO Melvin Tennant. “Our work together ensures that the MCC is the economic engine that results in busier hotels, restaurants and attractions throughout the city. With more than 300 events projected to take place at the MCC in 2023, we’re excited about welcoming new and returning visitors to the city.”

In 2023, the MCC will host major conferences and conventions, including the National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic (Feb. 17-19), Kiwanis International Convention (June 21-24), Elks National Convention (July 2-5), and Advanced Manufacturing Minneapolis (Nov. 1-3).

The MCC is also the host venue for large public shows, including the Minneapolis Boat Show; the Minneapolis/St. Paul RV, Vacation & Camping Show; the Lake Home & Cabin Show; the Minneapolis Home & Garden Show; the Northwest Sportshow; and the Twin Cities Auto Show.

Finally, the MCC will welcome numerous sporting events in 2023, including several major volleyball tournaments such as the USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championships and the Northern Lights Qualifier.

Attendance for 2023 events at the MCC is expected to surpass 600,000. Following are the largest 2023 events by estimated attendance*:

• Minneapolis Boat Show, Jan. 19-22
• Jurassic Quest, Jan. 27-29
• Northern Lights Qualifier (17-18 Divisions) & January Thaw, Northern Lights Junior Volleyball, Jan. 27-29
• The Ultimate RV Show, Feb. 2-5
• Lake Home & Cabin Show, Feb. 10-12
• Totally Rad Vintage Fest, Feb. 11-13
• National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic, Pheasants Forever, Feb. 17-19
• Minneapolis Home & Garden Show, March 1-5
• Northwest Sportshow, March 9-12
• Northern Lights Qualifier, Northern Lights Junior Volleyball, March 17-19 & 24-26
• Twin Cities Auto Show, March 31-April 8
• Oddities & Curiosities Expo, May 19-21
• USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championships (11-13 Divisions), June 14-17
• Elks National Convention, The Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks of the USA, July 2-5
• Brick Fest Live, Sept. 30-Oct. 1
• Advanced Manufacturing Minneapolis, Nov. 1-3
• Twin Cities Con, Nov. 3-5

* Attendance numbers are provided by partner organizations and are subject to adjustment based on meeting planner projections and post-event results.

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