(Note: The DoubleTree and Sofitel are located next to eachother. Conference sessions will be held in both hotels on alternating days. Breakfast on May 22 and the conference sessions through lunch on May 23 will be held at the DoubleTree. After lunch on May 23 and all day May 24 the conference sessions will be held at Sofitel. Evening functions are off-site.)
TENTATIVE AGENDA – CHINESE DELEGATION
(Subject to change. Last updated 5/10/12)rre
MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012: ARRIVAL DAY
AM/PM: Arrival at MSP Airport, airport transfer to DoubleTree & Sofitel host hotels, hotel check-in.
6:00 pm: Bus departure from DoubleTree & Sofitel hotels for evening event (meet in hotel lobby).
6:15 pm: Dinner Reception at Cowboy Jack’s hosted by Bloomington CVB. A welcome dinner with mechanical bull rides, horseshoes and more.
9:00 pm: Bus Returns to Host Hotels.
TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012: FAM TOUR DAY
DOUBLETREE by HILTON:
8:00-9:00 am: Breakfast and Orientation sponsored by America’s Premier Shopping Places
9:00 am: Bus departure from DoubleTree hotel for FAM tour (meet in hotel lobby).
9:00-12:30: Tour of Local Sights:
Stop #1 - University of Minnesota- China Center: Active America China buyers will receive tour of the University of Minnesota and China Center. Founded in 1851, the University serves more than 67,000 students, a Chinese alumni base of over 10,000 students and offers more than 370 degree programs. The China Center was established in 1979 to manage the University of Minnesota's exchanges with the People's Republic of China. For more than three decades, the China Center has reflected the firm and long-standing commitment of the University to international research, teaching, and outreach. The China Center facilitates student study in China and the U.S. faculty research and collaborative projects. The China Center also organizes and sponsors programming on culture, politics, trade, and development to foster a greater understanding of China.
Stop #2 - Minneapolis Convention Center: Minneapolis is home to many major M.I.C.E. conventions and tradeshows of some of America’s fortune 500 companies. Six fortune 500 companies make their headquarters in Minneapolis. Downtown Minneapolis is also home to the largest indoor, contiguous, convention center in the upper Midwest. Active America China buyers will receive a technical tour of the of the 475,000 square feet Minneapolis Convention Center and will be able to see first-hand solar sustainability efforts for the center, which is symbolic of emerging solar in the region. Minneapolis Convention Center will share insight in hosting large conventions for future years including the Railway Interchange, the largest North American-based international conference and exhibition for the railway engineering industry.
Stop #3 - District Energy St. Paul Plant: Active America China buyers will receive a technical tour of the District Energy St. Paul Plant. The District Energy operates the largest, most notable, biomass-fueled hot water district heating system in North America. The venture is a public/private partnership among the City of Saint Paul, State of Minnesota, U.S. Department of Energy and the downtown business community, all of whom believed in the viability of a hot water district heating system to alleviate the pinch of the energy crisis. In the district energy field, District Energy St. Paul is considered the most notable in the United States in terms of using renewable energy sources and energy conservation.
12:30-2:00: Lunch at Summit Brewery. Brewery Tour followed by an American themed lunch with grilling, beer and fun.
3:00 pm: Shopping at Mall of America
5:00 pm: Bus returns from Mall of America to DoubleTree & Sofitel hotels .
6:00 pm: Bus departure from DoubleTree & Sofitel hotels for evening event (meet in hotel lobby).
6:15-9:30 pm: Welcome Dinner Reception at Mall of America. “Taste of Mall of America” dinner with food stations from a variety of MOA restaurants. All Active America attendees will receive a complimentary ticket to the “Diana – A Celebration” exhibition.
8:30 & 9:30 pm: Buses return to host hotels. Two departures.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 2012:
DOUBLETREE by HILTON (2nd Floor):
ATRIUM 6
7:45-8:45 am: Breakfast sponsored by Best Western Minnesota Marketing Co-Op
VERANDAS 1-6
8:45-9:30 am: GENERAL SESSION:
8:45-9:00 am: Welcome Remarks from Dan O’Neill, Vice President of Strategy & Sales, Bloomington MN CVB and representatives from DoubleTree by Hilton and Sofitel Hotels
9:00-9:30 am: Brand USA's Plans for China in 2012. Presenter: Karyn Gruenberg, Director of Business Dev., Brand USA
9:30 am-12:30 pm: CONCURRENT SESSIONS:
CONCURRENT SESSION A: CHINESE DELEGATION
EDINA ROOM
9:30-11:15 am: 10-Minute Presentations to the Chinese Delegation. Presentations by a select group of suppliers and destinations.
11:15-11:30 am: Coffee Break
ATRIUM 4
11:30 pm -12:30 pm: Tour Operator Appointment Scheduling Session. Chinese delegation schedules appointments for one-on-one business meetings with U.S./Canadian suppliers and DMOs.
CONCURRENT SESSION B: U.S./CANADIAN SUPPLIERS
VERANDAS 1-6
9:30-12:30 pm: Panel discussions and Presentations
ATRIUM 6
12:30-2:00 pm: Luncheon sponsored by South Dakota Tourism, Rapid City CVB and Crazy Horse Monument
2:00-3:00 pm: Break
SOFITEL HOTEL:
GRAND BALLROOM
3:00-5:00 pm: One-on-one Marketplace Session 1.
6:00 pm: Bus departure from DoubleTree & Sofitel hotels for evening event (meet in hotel lobby).
6:30-9:30 pm: Dinner Reception hosted by Visit St. Paul. Scenic Mississippi River dinner cruise on the Padleford
9:30 pm: Continue to enjoy the evening at Mears Park bars/night clubs or head back to you hotel.
* Transportation back to Double Tree and Sofitel hotels is available at 9:30 pm (from Padleford Riverboats). There will also be motor coach transportation from the Padleford Riverboats on to Mears Park bars/nightclubs at 9:30 pm. Final bus departure from Saint Paul back to host hotels at 11:30 pm (location TBA).
THURSDAY, MAY 24, 2012:
SOFITEL HOTEL:
GARDEN COURT
8:00-9:00 am: Breakfast sponsored by Brand USA
GRAND BALLROOM
9:00 am-12:30 pm: One-on-One Marketplace Session 2
10:30 am-10:45 am: Coffee Break sponsored by Gray Line New York
GARDEN COURT
12:30-2:00 pm: Luncheon sponsored by Philadelphia CVB and Pennsylvania Tourism Office
2:00-5:00 pm: One –on-One Marketplace Session 3
3:15 am-3:30 pm: Coffee Break
6:00 pm: Bus departure from DoubleTree & Sofitel hotels for evening event (meet in hotel lobby).
6:30-9:30 pm: Dinner Reception at Minneapolis Institute of the Arts hosted by Meet Minneapolis. Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton will address the group. Arrive at Minneapolis Institute of the Arts for a cocktail reception and gallery, followed by a dinner.
9:30 pm: Continue to enjoy the evening in Downtown Minneapolis or head back to you hotel.
* Transportation back to Double Tree and Sofitel hotels is available at 9:30pm (from Minneapolis Institute of the Arts) & 11:30 pm (from Downtown location TBA).
ACTIVE AMERICA CHINA OFFICIALLY ADJOURNS
FRIDAY MAY 25, 2012: OPTIONAL SHOPPING POST-FAM
Optional tax-free shopping day at Mall of America and Albertville Premium Outlets. Itinerary includes transportation, all meals, full day of shopping, evening entertainment and accommodation in downtown Minneapolis. Exclusively for Active America China receptive tour operators and Chinese Delegation. For more information on the Post-FAM Shopping option, contact Linda Sun at the i2iGroup, linda@i2i-m.com.cn .