Minneapolis - City by Nature

Minneapolis isn’t your average city; it is known and loved by those who live there and those who visit it as the City by Nature. Only in Minneapolis can you step outside your hotel and kayak on the Mississippi River. Minneapolis is a perfect blend of urban chic and natural beauty, creating a city where outdoor fun is minutes from visitors’ hotels. After exploring the nature in Minneapolis, you will find the dynamic vibrancy of a thriving city.

Also known as the City of Lakes, Minneapolis is abundantly rich in water with twenty lakes and wetlands; the Mississippi River; creeks and waterfalls, many connected by parkways in the Chain of Lakes; and the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway (a linked series of park areas across the city). Divided by the Mississippi River, Minneapolis and Saint Paul together form the core of the “Twin Cities” metropolitan area. Once the world’s flour milling capital and a hub for timber, today the city has become the primary business centre between Chicago and Seattle, with Minneapolis itself containing America’s fifth highest concentration of Fortune 500 companies.

As the largest city in the state of Minnesota, which holds the title of “Land of 10,000 Lakes”, Minneapolis is the 48th largest city in the USA. With a perfect blend of urban chic and natural beauty, Minneapolis and its twin city Saint Paul offer impressive skyscrapers, vibrant nightlife, a thriving financial district, a rich art and theatre scene alongside professional sporting events as the area is home to the Minnesota Vikings American football team, Minnesota Timberwolves basketball team, Minnesota Twins baseball team and the Minnesota Wild hockey team. Examples of successful home grown businesses are 3M and Target which have gone on to become household names across the USA.

The Dakota Sioux people were the region’s sole residents until explorers arrived from France around 1680. The Minnesota Territorial legislature authorized present day Minneapolis as a town on the Mississippi’s west bank in 1856, later it was incorporated as a city in 1867 when the rail service between Minneapolis and Chicago began operating. Minneapolis had a quiet beginning as a centre for trade, however, it gradually became a prime location for the flour industry and eventually grew into Minnesota’s business and transportation centre at the same time as developing the vibrant recreational and cultural offering of a booming metropolis.

The autumn season is spectacular in this area as the leaves turn from green to gold and red and autumn harvests provide a plentiful store of home-grown, organic food.

No matter the season, no matter the weather, Minneapolis has enough outdoor and indoor adventure to keep you busy day after day. Minneapolis has the perfect blend of nature and city; it is the City by Nature.

Airport and transportation to the hotel

The Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP), is the country’s 14th busiest travel hub with 34 million passengers passing through each year. The airport has two terminal buildings and twelve air carriers provide non-stop service to 114 domestic and 21 international markets.

The airport is located 15 miles (24 km) from the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis. Taxis are freely available and safe to use and the journey to the hotel should take around 20 minutes and cost around USD 50.00. The Light Rail Transit (LRT) system connects the airport to downtown Minneapolis, the Mall of America and several other locations. This rail service stops about four blocks from the hotel and it would be necessary to then take a taxi if carrying luggage.

Conference fees

The conference fee includes all conference papers, conference lunches and organized dinners. There is an additional charge for participation in the group tours on Saturday 10 October (which is a non-refundable nominal amount of USD 50.00 to guarantee attendance).

Fee type	USD
Member	USD 2200
Non member	USD 3200
Subsidized member*	USD 800
Accompanying person	USD 800
Organized group tours ** (10 October)	USD 50

*This rate is available to member organizations from developing countries where the member organization has gross premium income of less than USD 5 million.

** This non-refundable amount is purely to guarantee attendance and to prevent absence without notice.

Cancellation policy

Any cancellations received after Friday 28 August 2015 will be subject to the conference fee being paid in full.

General meeting

Please note that there will be an ICMIF General Meeting held before the Conference on Tuesday 6 October from 15.00 to 16.30 in the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis in the Lake Superior room on the fifth floor of the hotel. This meeting is for members of ICMIF and will include Chief Executive and Committee reports and formal business including financial accounts and Board nominations

Conference registration upon arrival in Minneapolis

There will be an ICMIF registration desk located in the Great Lakes Promenade area on the fourth floor of the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis hotel. The desk will be open for conference registration from from 13.00 to 18.30 on Monday 5 October, and on Tuesday 6 October from 08.30 to 20.00. Upon arrival at the hotel, you will need to register in order to receive your delegate pack. Late arrivals will be able to pick up their pack on Wednesday 7 October (Conference Day One) from the ICMIF Help Desk which will be located near to the conference room (Great Lakes Ballroom) on the fourth floor of the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis hotel. Tickets for the Saturday organized group tours will also be available from the registration desk.

Languages

After English, the most common language spoken in Minneapolis is Spanish (8.9%). At the Conference, simultaneous interpretation will be offered in English French, Spanish and Japanese in all conference sessions and in all the breakout sessions.

Conference preview and proceedings

A Conference Preview, including a profile on each speaker, will be available for download from the conference website prior to the event and a printed version will be included in your delegate pack. This document will also contain all the latest practical information. The speeches and PowerPoint presentations will be posted on the ICMIF Conference website soon after the event.

Currency

The currency in the USA is the United States dollar also referred to as the US dollar or American dollar (USD or $). Banks are open from 08.30 to 17.00. Credit cards and travellers cheques are widely accepted.

Climate

In Minneapolis in October the weather is characterized by rapidly falling daily temperatures with daily highs decreasing from 19oC to 11oC over the course of the month. The average probability of rain in a given day is 37% so we would recommend bringing a raincoat or umbrella.

VISA information

The US Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) allows most European citizen passport holders to visit the USA for up to 90 days without a visa. For other countries, we would recommend that you check with your local embassy for the latest visa advice. If you are arriving by air or sea you must get authorization via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) at least 72 hours before travel. If you require a letter of invitation from ICMIF to support a visa application, please indicate this on your conference registration form or as soon as practicable after you make your registration to attend the Conference. Please note that ICMIF are unable to issue a letter of invitation until your conference registration has been received and processed.

Free evenings and local cuisine

Minneapolis and Saint Paul offer a diverse array of cuisines influenced by their many immigrant groups as well as innovative local restaurant chefs who follow the trends of larger cities. Historically the majority of Minnesotans were of European ancestry, many with farming backgrounds and most home cooked meals still reflect this by including comfort food items such as hotdish (a type of casserole), soups and stews commonly being served. Another popular item in Minnesota is wild rice which has been gathered in the lake areas by Native Americans for centuries. One other item of note, Minneapolis and Saint Paul pioneered the “Juicy Lucy”, a hamburger with a core of melted cheese. A list of recommended restaurants will be supplied in the delegate pack in Minneapolis.

Shopping

Minneapolis houses the country’s most fashionable discount retailers and largest shopping complex in the USA. As well as the Target department store and the Mall of America, there is also an abundance of young designers, local neighbourhood boutiques, major retailers and large malls. Downtown Minneapolis is home to Macy’s, Saks Off 5th, Target’s flagship store and dozens of other unique shops. All of these malls and shops have the added bonus of no sales tax on clothing and shoes.

Local transport

Public transport around the city is quick, safe and inexpensive. Shuttle and cab services are available anywhere in the metropolitan area. Metro Transit operates one of the largest public transportation systems in the country and buses marked “Free Ride” offer free travel when boarding along Nicollet Mall for a trip downtown. The Light Rail Transit (LRT) Hiawatha Line connects downtown Minneapolis with the airport, Mall of America and with 18 other stations.

Local time

The time in Minneapolis during the Conference in October will be five hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Health

Health care facilities in the USA are largely owned and operated by private sector businesses. Visitors’ health insurance is recommended as healthcare costs can be very expensive.

Safety and security

Minneapolis, like all large metropolitan areas, has neighbourhoods that might be considered more dangerous but eighty percent of those living in the Minneapolis-St Paul area say they feel safe walking alone at night in the area where they live, the highest percentage among the 50 largest US metropolitan areas. As in all major cities, please take care of luggage at all times and beware of pickpockets, especially at night.

Tipping

Tipping is widely expected in the USA and it is usual to give 15% or more in cafes, restaurants, bars and hotels. Taxi drivers will expect the same amount.

Dress code

The dress code for all the conference sessions is smart business attire. For the full day tours we would advise comfortable shoes and a raincoat/warm jacket in case of possible showers and decreases in temperature. The dress code for the welcome reception is smart casual (ties not required). For the host (farewell) dinner, the dress code will be casual (jeans and chinos).

Green issues

Sustainability isn’t just a concept in Minneapolis, it’s a lifestyle. Locals strive to make sustainability an aspect of their daily lives. The transit system is eco-friendly, rain is harnessed through rain gardens and green roofs, restaurants strive to be sustainable by using locally grown produce. To avoid excessive printing of brochures/literature, delegates who register for the conference will be encouraged to access information about the event, primarily via the ICMIF Conference website. The Hyatt Regency Minneapolis is committed to promoting and leading the way in environmental sustainability through its Hyatt Environmental Advocacy Team (HEAT), full details of which are included on the hotel website.

Electricity

Electricity in the USA runs on 120 volts with 60hz. A converter will be required for appliances that do not accept this voltage. Standard electric plugs have two flat blades and you will need an adaptor for your electrical appliances if travelling from Europe or Australasia.

Drinking water

Minneapolis is one of the few cities in Minnesota that softens water at a centralized softening plant. They take great pride in their drinking water and consider it to be safe, great tasting and amongst the best tap water in the USA.