Planners looking for alternative meeting space options when visiting the Roughrider State are in luck. The communities of Fargo-Moorhead, Bismarck-Mandan, Grand Forks and Minot all offer plenty of spaces that reflect the rich culture and history of the region.
Aviation history is on display at museums in Fargo and Minot. Groups can take a step back into the time of Lewis and Clark in Bismarck aboard a perfectly restored riverboat. Add to that unique group-friendly restaurants, historic theaters and performing arts and cultural centers, and you have a recipe for a meeting that delegates won’t forget.
Fargo-Moorhead
Fargo Air Museum (701.293.8043; www.fargoairmuseum.org) is a popular off-site option for groups.
“We are a flying museum and have rotating exhibits. Every time someone comes to visit, there is always something different,” says Fran Brummund, executive director of the museum. “We have unique exhibits of airplanes, from the DC3 Duggy Smiley in the Sky to WWII planes.”
Planners can rent out the entire facility for groups of up to 450 people. And according to Brummund, delegates love coming over for a visit.
“People really enjoy being among history, culture and class,” she says. “We have a strong history of aviation in North Dakota with the Air National Guard, and a lot of people are members of the military here.
“We’ve had groups arrange all-day meetings (the site has full audiovisual capabilities) or just a lunch, dinner or reception. It is so much better than staying in a ballroom for an event.”
First built in 1965 as part of the Moorhead post office, the Plains Art Museum (701.232.3821; www.plainsart.org) was renovated and moved to Fargo in late 1997. Today, the 56,000-square-foot facility is state-of-the-art and contains more than 3,000 national and regional works.
The facility offers several event spaces, starting with The Landfield Atrium, which features a skylight and can fit up to 125 guests for private events. Next is Gate City Presentation Center, which is a good spot for board meetings and has a capacity for 40 people. The Marcil Conference Room is a touch smaller, with the ability to hold around 18 people; and the museum’s third floor is a wide-open space for larger group gatherings.
Bismarck-Mandan
Outdoor-loving groups can head over to Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park (701.667.6340; www.fortlincoln.com) in Mandan for a Pitchfork Steak Fondue.
“It is an outdoor dining event that is fun to watch, the chefs ham it up,” says Sherri Grossman, director of sales for the Bismarck-Mandan CVB. “They do the Pitchfork Fondue outside of Calgary Square. More than 200 people can easily fit out there.”
The site frequently holds private events where interpreters believe it is around 1875 and dress as such.
“That is how they will talk to you,” she says. “If you talk to them about President Obama, for example, they will have no idea what you are talking about.”
Also at the park, visitors can tour Gen. George Custer’s last home and military barracks.
“We can also have reenactment groups perform for groups; it is a really fun show to watch,” Grossman says.
Another nod to the area’s heritage is the Lewis & Clark Riverboat (701.255.4233; www.lewisandclarkriverboat.com), which traverses the Missouri River and is a favorite for private events.
“People don’t think of Bismarck as a place where you can enjoy water, but in reality it is a big thing in our area,” Grossman says. “This is a great way that groups can enjoy it. You can also see both cities, Bismarck and Mandan, from the river. And depending on the height of the water, you can go to Fort Lincoln on the boat.”
The boat can hold up to 110 delegates for a private function.
Inside North Dakota’s State Capitol building in Bismarck is Memorial Hall (701.222.4308; www.bismarckmandancvb.com), a beautiful area for receptions.
“It is on the first floor, above the ground floor, and is a great spot for an upscale event of several hundred people,” Grossman says.
Greater Grand Forks
Stephanie Bernstrom, sales manager at the Greater Grand Forks CVB, is wild about the Ralph Engelstad Arena (701.777.4167; www.theralph.com) as a must-see off-site venue for groups.
“Seriously, it is gorgeous,” she gushes. “The interior is made with marble and granite floors and is built to such a high standard. It is really known as one of the best hockey facilities in the world. Planners can use the lobby for events or the suites that overlook the rink. It is just so beautiful.”
Located in downtown Grand Forks is The Empire Arts Center (701.746.5500; www.empireartscenter.com), a movie theater built in 1919. The facility has space for 416 for a general session and 100 for a banquet.
“The arts center was destroyed by the flood of 1997, but has been restored and is now an incredible space with all the historical character of the original facility,” says Emily Burkland, executive director of the theater. “There are even murals on the walls of the auditorium space that reflect the Art Deco style of when the theater was first developed.”
Burkland says the facility brings in a “huge variety of events,” from live performances to corporate meetings.
“We are especially popular for meeting groups because we have a movie theater-style projector and screen,” she adds. “We have smaller meeting spaces upstairs and a gallery space with rotating art exhibits that is perfect for a cocktail reception or sit-down dinner.”
Less than three miles west on Centennial Drive inside the University of North Dakota at Grand Forks campus, planners will find the North Dakota Museum of Art (701.777.4195; www.ndmoa.com), where private functions of up to 200 delegates are usually held in the main gallery.
“When you walk in and take a few steps into the main gallery, you are struck by the tremendous amount of natural light,” she says. “It is very beautiful.”
The museum is dedicated to art from the region and includes exhibits with Native American pieces. It also features traveling exhibitions from international artists.
Over in East Grand Forks is Heritage Village (218.791.6764; www.egfheritage.com), a collection of historic structures, all run by volunteers, signifying the history of the Northern Red River Valley.
“Planners like to go there and host banquets, receptions and picnics,” Bernstrom says. “They have several areas for large groups in three heated buildings and outdoor picnic areas.”
Minot
Located on Central Avenue in Minot is the new Sweet & Flour Patisserie (701.240.3664; www.facebook.com/sweetandflourpatisserie), a full-service restaurant and pastry cafe that opened in June.
Housed inside a historic building, the eatery is already a hot spot for private events, according to Shanda Cool, executive chef.
“It is a beautiful space,” she says. “We rebuilt it after the flood that hit last year. We have a private dining area that seats about 24 people; a loft space for up to 10 people and you can rent out the whole venue for 65 people. We use all seasonal and local ingredients and can customize your event with decor and food to meet any group’s needs.”
Also in downtown Minot, planners can organize private events at 10 North Main (701.837.1010; www.10northmain.com), a restaurant partly owned by actor Josh Duhamel (from the movie Transformers and married to Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas).
“It is right on Main Street in a historic building and the interior is all brick. It is very chic, like something you see in New York City,” says Wendy Howe, executive director of the Minot CVB. “For us, having that connection to Josh is really unique. He is from Minot and we are proud of what he’s done for our community.
The restaurant has private event space on its second level.
Dakota Territory Air Museum (701.852.8500; www.dakotaterritoryairmuseum.com) is another unique group gathering venue in Minot.
“We have a long history of aviation here in Minot with the presence of the Minot Air Force Base,” Howe says. “This is one of the nicest air museums in the upper Midwest. We have WWII planes and even have a Japanese Zero, which is one of the planes that started the war with the bombing of Pearl Harbor.”
Planners can book the museum’s hangar area for a group of a few hundred guests, Howe says. The facility is currently undergoing a $1.5 million expansion (slated for completion in the fall), but will not be shut down to groups during construction.
“They are adding another huge hangar to the museum, and the expansion is next to the facility, so there won’t be any interference to visitors,” Howe says.
Katie Morell is a writer and editor based in San Francisco: www.katiemorell.com.
