FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Facts:

1. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., metroConnections provides complete conference, event, production and transportation services for meeting and event planners nationwide.
2. Since 1984, metroConnections has utilized its expertise and resources to specialize in the design and implementation of themed events, activities, transportation, tours and conference program logistics and meetings.
3. metroConnections was awarded two International Special Events Society (ISES) Star Awards and recognized at the Minnesota Meetings + Events Best of Awards.

MEDIA CONTACT

Kimberly Walters | Marketing & Public Relations Manager

P 952.767.2907

C 651.216.7604

F 952.884.5680

E kwalters@metroconnections.com

metroConnections recipient of two ISES Star Awards, a Minnesota Meetings + Events Best Of Award and recognized in a joint win for Best Event

(MINNEAPOLIS, MN.) April 6, 2015 With awards season underway, Minnesotas event professionals are submitting their best work with the hopes of gaining recognition among the industry. So far this year, metroConnections, Inc. has received multiple awards: two Star Awards from the International Special Events Society, an independent win at the MN Meetings + Events Best of Awards and a joint win in the Best Event category.

The metroConnections Event Services team is thrilled to have been finalists in a number of categories for both the ISES Star Awards and the MN Meetings + Events Best of Awards this past week, said Andrea Hanson, Director of Event Services. It has given us the chance to reflect on an awesome year of events and celebrate our successful collaborations together as a team.

Presented on March 27, 2015, the Star Awards were created by the Minneapolis-St. Paul Chapter of ISES to recognize outstanding professionals in the special events industry. metro was awarded Best Team Effort for transportation services provided for the MPI WEC Opening Reception as well as Best Event Décor & Design Over $25,000 for the MPI WEC Closing Reception.

The MPI WEC Conference, orchestrated by Meet Minneapolis Convention & Visitors Association, took place in August 2014. Event organizers selected metro's Event Services and Transportation Services to create memorable experiences for the more than 2,000 meeting industry professionals that attended the event. The shuttle transportation provided by metro flowed seamlessly behind the scenes to move attendees to various locations, and the closing reception, with the theme Minneapolis!, was a resounding success. Within Orchestra Hall and Peavey Plaza, the metro Event Services team created a condensed version of Minneapolis, highlighting the unique features the city has to offer. Attendees enjoyed beers from ten local breweries, snacked on desserts from Spoon Bridge & Cherry, met Minnesota Twins icons Minnie and Paul and enjoyed music and art that celebrate the citys history and heritage.

Minnesota Meeting + Events celebrated its 13^th annual Best of Awards on April 2, 2015, in which the magazines readers vote for their favorite event industry professionals and businesses. metro was awarded Best Team-Building Activity/Facilitator/Organizer for its creative team-building activities, and recognized for their role in MPI WEC 2014, winner of the Best Event award.

Our team is very proud to once again be voted the Best Teambuilding Activity/Facilitator/Organizer by the readers of MN Meetings & Events Magazine, said Hansen. We strive to provide our clients with unique and innovative not to mention fun activities that lead to engaging experiences for their attendees. Some of the voters favorite interactive opportunities include a localized version of The Amazing Race, culinary competitions and Playing Picasso.

Not only was metro an honoree during the Best of Awards ceremony, they were also an Event Partner that sponsored furniture for the evening. White leather lounge chairs were arranged to create a large seating area in the middle of the room, and mirrored side tables, high top tables, and stools with classic white finishing made for elegant additional seating.

metroConnections is honored to have their hard work and creativity recognized by those in the industry and looks forward to provide more award-winning event services in the future.

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About metroConnections
Since 1984, metroConnections has provided complete conference, event, stage production and transportation services for meeting and event planners nationwide. With annual revenue of $15 million, the company operates from its headquarters in Minneapolis, Minn. and produces more than 1,400 programs per year. The metroConnections team uses its expertise and resources to specialize in the design and implementation of themed events, stage productions, transportation, tours and conference program logistics and meetings. metroConnections also offers audio/visual and production services and is the creator of Attend-eSource®, a web-based solution that includes elements such as online registration and custom-built event websites. For information on planning conferences, events, stage productions, transportation logistics or group/companion tours, contact metroConnections at 612-333-8687 or visit www.metroconnections.com.

Keywords: metroConnections, event planning, transportation, conference, themed events, awards

Images

metroConnectionsSTARAWards2015.jpg Event Services Sales Manager Sydney Wolf and Event Services Coordinator Sammy Stoner attended the Star Awards and accepted the award for Best Event Décor & Design Over $25,000.

20150402_200110_resized.jpg Several members of the metro team were present to accept the award for Best Team-Building Activity/Facilitator/Organizer at the Best of Minnesota 2014 event.