McNamara Alumni Center, University of Minnesota

University of Minnesota
200 Oak St SE
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455

1000Largest Group

10Meeting Rooms

2018 Winner: Best Event Package

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

McNamara Alumni Center, University of MinnesotaVisit Website Email Phone

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. 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 Hotel, quick highway access and award-winning D’Amico Catering onsite. We’re also just 2 Light Rail stops from downtown Minneapolis. In 2017, 750 meetings and special events in Minneapolis were held here.

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 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

Call us today to schedule a tour!
Click here to view our fundraiser event package.

The videos below will provide more details on the amenities that make the McNamara Alumni Center the premier event venue in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Video:

Why Does the McNamara Alumni Center Win Awards?:

Weddings at McNamara Alumni Center:

Nearby Cities & Number of Miles:

Minneapolis - 1.5
St. Paul - 4

Nearest Airport/ Number of Minutes:

Minneapolis St Paul Int'l / 10

Public Transportation Options:

Bus
Metro

Metro/Public Transportation Proximity:

Within walking distance

Parking Onsite:

Yes

Parking:

Fee

Availability:

Available for private Minneapolis events and meetings year-round.

Room Type(s):

Adjacent Graduate Hotel Minneapolis, U of M residence halls (summer only)

ADA Accessible:

Yes

Largest Group:

1000

Number of Meeting & Event Rooms:

Largest Classroom Style:

Largest Theatre Style:

500

Largest Standing Reception:

1500

Largest Seated Reception:

700

Technology:

In 2015, Unique Venues named us Best High Tech Venue! Memorial Hall's built-in 32,000 lumen 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.

Onsite Wireless Internet:

Free

Wi-Fi In Meeting Space:

Yes

Onsite A/V Staff:

Yes

Food & Beverage:

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.

Must Use In-house Catering:

Yes

Cultural Catering Available:

Yes

Alcohol Permitted:

Yes

Can Bring Own Alcohol:

Special Rates and Packages:

When utilizing our meeting rooms and conference centers, room rental rates range from $150 to $2400 per room. The room rental for most rooms is an all-inclusive price including built-in AV and custom set-up.

Phone:

612-625-8876

Ideally Suited For:

Adult Social Event
Corporate Social Events
Expo/Competitions
Family Reunion
Professional Meeting/Training/Conference/Retreat
Wedding Ceremony/Reception

Event Spaces

Meeting Room	Descriptions	Square Footage
Memorial Hall	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	12000
Johnson Great Room	Our premier meeting room features copper and wood walls, built-in projector and screen.	2000
University Hall	This room boasts McNamara-signature copper and wood interior with one entire wall of windows overlooking a landscaped patio.	2000
Heritage Gallery	The Heritage Gallery is a multimedia museum that honors the accomplishments of University of Minnesota students, alumni, faculty and staff.	2000
Thomas H. Swain Room	Opened in Fall 2010, this room is similar in ambiance to the Johnson Great Room--copper and wood interior with built-in AV.	1500
Ski-U-Mah	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.	1100

Accommodations

Facility	# of Rooms	# of Beds	Room Type	Bath Type	A/C
Graduate Minneapolis Hotel	304		Hotel	Private	yes

Catering

D'Amico Catering
Award-winning D'Amico Catering is located on-site. Their full-time staff office in the building.

Dining

D'Amico & Sons Cafe
Seating Capacity: 100
Award-winning D'Amico & Sons operates an on-site cafe Monday through Friday 7 am to 2 pm.

Technology

Type	Description
Two-Time Best Meeting Facility	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

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.
Historic Events
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.
Carlson School of Management
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.
Continuing Medical Edication
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.
IBM
The Alumni Center is a gorgeous setting for a celebration with terrific amenities. The Alumni Center staff is exceptional.
Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine
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.
Mother-of-a-bride
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.
Breck School Auction
The Alumni Center is a great space - the architecture is so alive and dynamic. The huge projection screen makes our video presentations very powerful.
Headwaters Foundation for Justice
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.
Allina Hospitals & Clinics
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.
Bride-and-Groom

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