For Immediate Release

Minneapolis (Nov. 2, 2021) – Bijan Berenjian, General Manager at REM5 Virtual Reality Laboratory, has been named the Hospitality Hero award winner for third quarter 2021 by Meet Minneapolis, Convention and Visitors Association. The award is given to a member of the Minneapolis tourism and hospitality community who has been nominated by their colleagues for their valuable contributions to the image and culture of Minneapolis through outstanding service.

Amir Berenjian, Chief Executive Officer at REM5 Virtual Reality (VR) Laboratory, nominated Bijan Berenjian, who has 10 years of hospitality experience in Minneapolis. “With his primary role of making an intimidating technology like VR accessible to the community (and those not maybe even comfortable with basic technology), he takes unparalleled pride in both explaining the guest experience to prospective guests, as well as leading a team that provides world-class service to each guest when they arrive,” said Amir Berenjian.

REM5 (rem5vr.com/) combines immersive, virtual reality (VR) experiences with a very approachable and social environment for consumers, businesses and students. The company was designed to allow everyone the opportunity to play, explore, learn, and create in VR. Paired with amazing food made in-house and a fantastic selection of local craft brews, REM5 caters to groups of all sizes from small birthday parties to corporate or meetings groups. These unique, interactive experiences are available at their St. Louis Park location, just west of downtown Minneapolis.

“Countless times I have seen Bijan drop everything to make sure a prospective customer understands what REM5 has to offer and all the options at their disposal,” explained Joe Kurzeka, a coworker and one of the many nominators who submitted Bijan Berenjian for the award. “For (roughly) 10 years Bijan has been a GM of REM5 and Mill Valley Kitchen. In that time, I have seen him grow, refine his craft and keep the customers satisfaction as his number one goal.”

Other nominations noted that Bijan Berenjian is an attentive general manager who is very hands-on, warm and welcoming, and makes sure everyone is comfortable and has what they need, including his staff that service guests.

“Virtual Reality is new for most people and can be intimidating,” added Brian Skalak, Director of Events and Marketing at REM5. “Bijan makes sure to over-communicate and make it work for everyone, especially in this new normal.”

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PHOTO ATTACHED, CUTLINE

Bijan Berenjian (center, holding award) is pictured with the team from REM5 Virtual Reality Laboratory.

(Pictured, left to right)

Brian Skalak, Director of Events and Marketing
Bijan Berenjian, General Manager
Amir Berenjian, Chief Executive Officer

ABOUT MEET MINNEAPOLIS
Meet Minneapolis is a private, not-for-profit, member-based association. It actively promotes and sells the Minneapolis area as a destination for conventions and meetings, works to maximize the visitor experience and markets the city as a desirable tourist destination to maximize the economic benefit to the greater Minneapolis area.

Meet Minneapolis is accredited by the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) of Destinations International.

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