We invite fellow members and stakeholders in the pharmacy community to attend our 115th Annual Meeting in the “City of Lakes” – Minneapolis, MN. This year’s theme is “Working Together as a Team Makes Anything Possible,” and the meeting will be held May 16-18, 2019, at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center.

Marvelous Minneapolis

Minneapolis was incorporated as a city in 1867 and now has the third-largest economy in the Midwest. Along with St Paul, MN, it is commonly referred to as the “Twin Cities.”

Minneapolis has developed into a forward-looking city that is a hub for culture, business, education, and nature preservation. The city has been home to well-known musical artists, such as Bob Dylan and Prince. Minnesota is also a launchpad for business. The state has 19 Fortune 500 companies, many of which call Minneapolis and the surrounding region home, including Target, General Mills, Best Buy, and UnitedHealth Group.

Minneapolis’ abundance of natural bodies of water help contribute to the staggering amount of natural green space in the city. Approximately 15% of Minneapolis is city parks – the city park developer’s goal was to “establish a park within walking distance of every child in the city.” One of the city’s most popular green spaces is Minnehaha Regional Park, a recreation destination where visitors can bike, walk, explore historic buildings, and visit the park’s namesake, Minnehaha Falls.

Making the Most of Minneapolis

Nicollet (formerly known as Nicollet Mall) is Minneapolis’ main shopping, entertainment, and dining zone, and it is situated steps from the Marriott. The area is filled with public art, the most famous example being a statue of Mary Tyler Moore from the classic Mary Tyler Moore Show, which was set in Minneapolis. Nicollet offers access to the Mississippi River and the surrounding natural area. It connects to the Walker Art Center (the city’s modern art museum) and the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, which is home to Minneapolis’ iconic Spoonbridge and Cherry sculptures. If you are strolling through Nicollet at night, be sure to check out the “Light Walk,” a stretch of pedestrian path that cycles through geometric LED light displays.

The city continues to channel its musical past by supporting a lively music scene, where it is possible to see live music of all genres in venues ranging from stadiums to smaller, more intimate settings. Prince fans can visit Paisley Park, a music studio that also contains exhibits dedicated to Prince’s life and career. For Bob Dylan fans, there is a kaleidoscope-like mural featuring the artist located in downtown Minneapolis on the corner of 5th Street and Hennepin Avenue.

The largest park in the downtown area, Loring Park, is located one mile from the Marriott. Fort Snelling, a designated National Historic Landmark located next to Minneapolis’ airport, was used as a military fort throughout the frontier era and during World War II, when it was used to house and train American soldiers.

The Mall of America is the largest mall in the country – it is located in the Minneapolis area and features more than 520 stores. However, the Mall of America offers more than just shopping; visitors can also ride a roller coaster, test drive a Tesla, explore the Minnesota Aquarium, or build something in the Lego Imagination Center. The METRO Blue Line connects the Mall of America with the Minneapolis Airport and the downtown area.

The greater Minneapolis area is home to 55 museums. The Weisman Art Museum features a wide range of art and is housed in a spacey, futuristic looking building. The Mill City Museum is filled with interactive exhibits that focus on how the Mississippi River and flour production helped build Minneapolis into the city it is today. There is also the Science Museum of Minnesota, which has a world recognized fossil collection, and the Bell Museum, Minnesota’s official museum of natural history that was recently revamped to include a planetarium.

More information on the meeting, transportation, and instructions on how to register will be available on the 115th Annual Meeting website.

To read the full article, check out the January issue of Innovations.