McNamara Alumni Center, University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
200 Oak St SE
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
200 Oak St SE
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
Event Types Welcomed
Corporate Social Events | Expo/Competitions | Professional Meeting/Training/Conference/Retreat | Wedding Ceremony/ReceptionMaximum
Meeting:600
Meeting:600
Meeting
Rooms:10
Rooms:10
- Watch this video to see why the McNamara Alumni Center wins awards
- Our modern architecture makes a stunning wedding celebration venue
Named Best High Tech Venue by Unique Venues in 2015
Conferences up to 400 can be accommodated by our 10 rooms
McNamara is adjacent to a 500-car parking ramp and Graduate Hotel
The Swain Room is a mid-size meeting room with built-in AV
Johnson Great Room is our largest private meeting room
Johnson Great Room is also a popular reception space
The Heritage Gallery is a museum and makes a unique event space
University Hall has floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a landscaped patio
90' tall ceilings and large windows make Memorial Hall a lovely celebration venue
McNamara is surrounded by restaurants, coffee shops, Light Rail to downtown and other conveniences
60 weddings a year are held at McNamara
Dancing is magical in Memorial Hall at night
A landscaped plaza offers event guests a welcome break during conferences
About
About McNamara Alumni Center, University of Minnesota
With an average customer satisfaction rating of 4.9 out of 5, the McNamara Alumni Center is a popular Minneapolis, Minnesota venue for conferences, galas, holiday parties and wedding receptions. A national car commercial, MTV music video and U.S. presidential campaign stops have taken place here. In 2018, 730 meetings and special events were held here.
The alumni center is located on the Minneapolis campus of the University of Minnesota. Its architecture is bold and is inspired by the Minnesota landscape: wood, water and copper. With ten unique Minneapolis event and meeting rooms, all on the first floor, McNamara offers many conveniences, including tunnel connections to an adjacent 500-car parking ramp and the Graduate Minneapolis Hotel, quick highway access and award-winning D’Amico Catering onsite. We’re also just 2 Light Rail stops from downtown Minneapolis and 1 transfer to the Minneapolis airport.
Our industry peers have awarded the McNamara Alumni Center with numerous accolades:
The alumni center is located on the Minneapolis campus of the University of Minnesota. Its architecture is bold and is inspired by the Minnesota landscape: wood, water and copper. With ten unique Minneapolis event and meeting rooms, all on the first floor, McNamara offers many conveniences, including tunnel connections to an adjacent 500-car parking ramp and the Graduate Minneapolis Hotel, quick highway access and award-winning D’Amico Catering onsite. We’re also just 2 Light Rail stops from downtown Minneapolis and 1 transfer to the Minneapolis airport.
Our industry peers have awarded the McNamara Alumni Center with numerous accolades:
- Best High-Tech Venue by Unique Venues 2015
- Best Venue Website by Unique Venues 2016
- Best Meeting Package by Unique Venues 2018
- Best University Venue by Minnesota Meetings & Events magazine 2016
- Best Meeting Venue by Minnesota Meetings & Events magazine 2007 to 2012
- Top 50 Places to Get Married by Brides magazine 2015
LOCATION + TRANSPORTATION
Minneapolis - 1.5
St. Paul - 4
:
Minneapolis St Paul Int'l - 10 minutes
Metro
Onsite: Yes Fee
Fee: A 500-car ramp is adjacent and connected by tunnel
CATERING
The Twin Cities most awarded caterer, D'Amico Catering is located on-site and operates a cafe onsite from 7:00 am until 2:00 pm Monday-Friday. Full bar service.In-House Catering
Cultural Catering
Venue Hosted Alcohol Permitted
Self-Service Alcohol Permitted
AMENITIES + UNIQUE EXPERIENCES
MEETING + EVENT SPACE CAPACITIES
600 Attendees
10 Spaces
:
Theatre Style 500 | Classroom Style 96 | Standing Reception 1000 | Seated Reception 600
TECHNOLOGY
In 2015, Unique Venues named us Best High Tech Venue! Memorial Hall's built-in 32,000 lumen laser projectors are superior with dual screens that exceed client expectations. Wireless Internet access and video conferencing are available throughout the conference center. The Johnson Great Room is capable of 2-way teleconferencing and video-conferencing. Outstanding on-site AV technicians are available.Yes
Free
Yes
RENTAL POLICIES
Alcohol ConsumptionCannabis Industry-Friendly
Cannabis Consumption
OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS
Adjacent Graduate Minneapolis Hotel, connected by tunnel
Accommodations
Accommodations
Accommodation Types
| Hotel | 304 rooms | image
The Commons Hotel is connected by tunnel to the Alumni Center and offers 304 sleeping rooms. The hotel was completely renovated in 2015.
This accommodation has A/C
The Commons Hotel is connected by tunnel to the Alumni Center and offers 304 sleeping rooms. The hotel was completely renovated in 2015.
This accommodation has A/CAmenities + Unique Experiences
AMENITIES
Amenities
Event Spaces
Meeting and Event Spaces
Max Capacities
600
Overall
96
Classroom
Style
Style
1000
Standing
Reception
Reception
600
Seated
Catered Event
Catered Event
Meeting + Event Spaces
| 12000 SQ FT
Our largest, most stunning event space reflects Minnesotas lakes, the North Shore, Iron Range and Northern Lights. Ideal for galas, keynote addresses, tradeshows and lectures
Our largest, most stunning event space reflects Minnesotas lakes, the North Shore, Iron Range and Northern Lights. Ideal for galas, keynote addresses, tradeshows and lectures
| 2000 SQ FT
Our premier meeting room features copper and wood walls, built-in projector and screen.
Our premier meeting room features copper and wood walls, built-in projector and screen.
| 2000 SQ FT
This room boasts McNamara-signature copper and wood interior with one entire wall of windows overlooking a landscaped patio.
This room boasts McNamara-signature copper and wood interior with one entire wall of windows overlooking a landscaped patio.
| 2000 SQ FT
The Heritage Gallery is a multimedia museum that honors the accomplishments of University of Minnesota students, alumni, faculty and staff.
The Heritage Gallery is a multimedia museum that honors the accomplishments of University of Minnesota students, alumni, faculty and staff.
| 1500 SQ FT
Opened in Fall 2010, this room is similar in ambiance to the Johnson Great Room--copper and wood interior with built-in AV.
Opened in Fall 2010, this room is similar in ambiance to the Johnson Great Room--copper and wood interior with built-in AV.
| 1100 SQ FT
Named after a phrase from the University of Minnesota rouser, Ski-U-Mah (SKY-u-ma) is a centrally located meeting room with built-in AV.
Named after a phrase from the University of Minnesota rouser, Ski-U-Mah (SKY-u-ma) is a centrally located meeting room with built-in AV.
Food + Beverage
Food + Beverage
Availability
Catering
The Twin Cities most awarded caterer, D'Amico Catering is located on-site and operates a cafe onsite from 7:00 am until 2:00 pm Monday-Friday. Full bar service.Dining Options
| Seating Capacity: 100
Award-winning D'Amico & Sons operates an on-site cafe Monday through Friday 7 am to 2 pm.
Award-winning D'Amico & Sons operates an on-site cafe Monday through Friday 7 am to 2 pm.
Location
Location + Transportation
Javascript is required to view this map.
Nearby Airport
Minneapolis St Paul Int'l - 10 minutesNearby Cities
Minneapolis - 1.5 miles | St. Paul - 4Transportation + Parking
Technology
Technology
Equipment Available On-Site
Description
In 2015, Unique Venues named us Best High Tech Venue! Memorial Hall's built-in 32,000 lumen laser projectors are superior with dual screens that exceed client expectations. Wireless Internet access and video conferencing are available throughout the conference center. The Johnson Great Room is capable of 2-way teleconferencing and video-conferencing. Outstanding on-site AV technicians are available.Technology
Voted by Minnesota Meetings & Events Magazine as Best Meeting Facility (Non-Hotel) 2007-2012. Noted for our superior, built-in AV and video conferencing capabilities.
Testimonials
Testimonials
I can honestly say that I have never worked with a better facility and staff in all my 20 years in the special events industry. From the time we began our planning-right through to the final goodbye-every person associated with the McNamara Alumni Center bent over backwards to understand our needs, offer advice, support and solutions, and deliver everything that was promised.
I never worry about my events held at the McNamara Alumni Center. The event staff anticipates my needs and meets all of our complex logistical requirements. For every event at the Alumni Center, my high expectations are exceeded.
I wish I could convince all of our course directors to hold their conferences at the McNamara Alumni Center. Ive never received so many unsolicited comments praising the location and food! I look forward to working with their wonderful staff again.
I have never worked with more professional event staff. From a logistical standpoint, our event was flawless. I would recommend the Alumni Center to anyone looking for a state-of-the-art facility offering first class service.
The Alumni Center is a gorgeous setting for a celebration with terrific amenities. The Alumni Center staff is exceptional.
The Alumni Center is a fantastic place to throw a party! The staff gave us the feeling that they cared as much about our daughters wedding as we did.
The Alumni Centers audio visual capabilities are outstanding. At the last minute we required a live video feed to our overflow seating and the staff cheerfully responded with, Yes, we can do that. I was extremely pleased.
The Alumni Center is a great space - the architecture is so alive and dynamic. The huge projection screen makes our video presentations very powerful.
The Alumni Center is a tremendous location for a conference. It is conveniently located, its meeting rooms have distinguishing characteristics and the service was outstanding. I received many unsolicited comments praising the location by our conference attendees.
Nothing, and we mean nothing, could have gone better on our wedding night and we thank you for that. The building, set-up & AV were all amazing.
