Travel Information
Venue: The Minneapolis Convention Center
The conference will be held at the Convention Center in downtown Minneapolis. All sessions are held in the Auditorium, a theater-style room with comfortable seating and good visibility and acoustics throughout. This is the same venue we use for our National Conference.
Accommodations
Conference Hotel: Hilton Minneapolis
1001 Marquette Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55403
888.933.5363 (toll-free reservations)
612.376.1000 (direct to the hotel)
612.397.4875 (fax)
$99 (plus 13.4% tax + parking) per night (1-4 adults/room)
This hotel is where we have secured the greatest number of discounted* rooms for our attendees. It has remarkable amenities, is conveniently located near many restaurants and shops, and is connected to the Convention Center via indoor skyway system.
To ensure the conference rate, make your reservations directly with the Hilton by January 12, 2009, and mention “Desiring God Conference for Pastors.”
*Disclosure: We have negotiated a discounted rate with the hotel on behalf of our members. There is a small hotel rebate paid to Desiring God and is used to help offset Convention Center costs.
Other Hotels
Doubletree Guest Suites
1101 LaSalle Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55403
612.492.2224
- $103 per night + tax + parking (1-2 per room)
- $123 per night + tax + parking (3-4 per room)
- must make reservation by January 16, 2009
- must mention "Desiring God Conference for Pastors"
- hotel is three blocks from the Convention Center
Holiday Inn Express
225 South 11th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55403
612.341.3300
- $82.95 per night + tax + parking
- must make reservation by January 15, 2009
- must mention "Desiring God Conference for Pastors"
- hotel is two blocks from the Convention Center
Holiday Inn Metrodome
1500 Washington Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55454
612.333.4646
$99.00 per night + tax + parking
- King rooms only
- must make reservation by January 11, 2009
- must mention “Desiring God Conference for Pastors”
- hotel is one mile from the Convention Center; free hotel shuttle offered
Transportation
The airport is 20 minutes by car from the Convention Center. For a cost-effective way to get to/from the airport and downtown Minneapolis, please consider using SuperShuttle.
Rental Car Discount
We are partnering with the following companies to provide you with discounted rental car rates:
| Avis | 800.331.1600 | AWD#: G028047 |
| Budget | 800.772.3773 | Discount#: U078644 |
| Enterprise | 800.736.8222 | ID#: 19T0322 company name "DES" |
| Hertz | 800.654.2240 | CV#: 04BF0001 |
Free Conference Shuttle
On Wednesday, February 4, conference shuttle buses will depart the Convention Center for the airport every 20 minutes beginning at noon, with the last one departing at 3:00 PM.
Airfare Special
We are partnering with Northwest Airlines to provide you with discounts off published airfares. Call early for best fares. To make your reservations, go to nwa.com or call 1-800-328-1111. Use WorldFile/Ticket Designator NM2W4 to receive the negotiated discount.
Additional Airfare Specials:
| American Airlines | 800.433.1790 | Authorization#: A8519BA |
| Continental Airlines | Online Special Only | Offer Code: ZFJ4A0KX2R |
Meals
In order to streamline costs for us and you, we are unable to provide meals at the conference. However, you do have the option of purchasing lunch on Tuesday and/or Wednesday ($20.00 per meal). Simply add it on to your order as you register. These high quality lunches are similar to what we offered last year and attendees really enjoyed them because they are onsite and allow plenty of time for fellowship and networking. Meals are hot, plated, and include salads, beverages and desserts. No items are a la carte.
There are many wonderful restaurants nearby, and the Convention Center also has places where you may purchase meals and snacks, including a new Dunn Bros Coffee located indoors by our Conference Bookstore!
Bookstore
Our conference bookstore will sell many substantive titles at low prices. Don’t forget to budget for books!
Childcare
No childcare is provided at the conference.
ASL & Special Needs
American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation is not offered at the conference. If you have any other special needs, please notify us (888.346.4700 or email) so that we can serve you in the best way possible.
Weather
It’s true, February in Minnesota can be quite cold, so dress appropriately. The Convention Center is connected (by a heated, indoor skyway) to many hotels and almost any place you may want to visit in downtown Minneapolis.
