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<br />Special Features
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<br />Location/Accommodations
<br />Exciting news! We have changed locations this year! In 2025 and 2026,
<br />we will be located at the beautiful Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center,
<br />MN (Formerly Earle Brown). Better yet, the primary room block will be set
<br />up at The Embassy Suites, which is connected to the venue. PLEASE
<br />NOTE: the block at the Embassy is already full, however, there will be a
<br />waiting list for cancellations, and an overflow block is located just steps
<br />away at The Fairfield Inn & Suites. Both hotels provide overnight guests
<br />with a broad range of amenities including heated swimming pools,
<br />exercise areas, and dining facilities.
<br />
<br />The sleeping room blocks (Embassy Suites-$129/night plus tax and
<br />Fairfield Inn & Suites - $129/night plus tax) are being held until February
<br />28th, or until they are sold out. Make your overnight reservations via
<br />phone or e-mail. A booking link to both hotels can be found on the PACE
<br />website.
<br />
<br />Optional Tuesday Pre-Conference Workshops
<br />This year’s conference includes three pre-conference training options on
<br />Tuesday, March 18th. At 9:00 AM, join Daphney Maras, City of Albert Lea,
<br />and Kary Tillmann, City of Zimmerman, for a full-day orientation for New
<br />City Clerks, or join a full-day Athenian Dialogue moderated by Anne
<br />Uecker, Professional Speaker. She will be leading a discussion on the
<br />book, “Five Little Indians,” by Michelle Good. From 1:00-4:30, Bob Bruce
<br />from Trista Technology will be facilitating a half-day session on Excel
<br />Basics.
<br />
<br />CMC/MMC Points
<br />This year’s education-rich conference offers numerous opportunities to
<br />earn CMC/MMC Education Points. Even the pre-conference sessions
<br />provide opportunity for IIMC credits. You can find more information in
<br />your final program and in the conference app, Whova, to receive these
<br />points.
<br />
<br />For those pursuing CMC (Certified Municipal Clerk) or MMC (Master
<br />Municipal Clerk) certification, this conference provides 1 CMC Education
<br />or 1 MMC Advanced Education point for every 4 hours of approved
<br />participation in combination with a completed learning assessment. St.
<br />Cloud State University will provide a Certificate for those participants who
<br />check “YES” during the registration process. The cost is covered by
<br />MCFOA. Please be sure to request them at the time of registration for
<br />costs to be covered. If IIMC Points will not play a role in your ongoing
<br />education plans, then you need not obtain them.
<br />
<br />Continuing Education Units/Customized Certificates
<br />For those who are not tracking Education Points, but desire a certificate
<br />for CEUs (Continuing Education Units) or Certificate of Attendance, you
<br />may request if it meets the criteria you need. A CEU is defined as, “10
<br />contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education
<br />experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and
<br />qualified instruction.” If you want a customized certificate, the cost is $15
<br />each. St. Cloud State University will be in touch for the specific certificate
<br />you are requesting, and provide your certificate by email.
<br />Instructional Materials/Speaker Handouts
<br />Moving forward, all speaker handouts from keynote and concurrent
<br />sessions will be provided to attendees via the Whova Conference App.
<br />This will allow you to print out all materials or load to your devices in
<br />advance for use during the Conference.
<br />
<br />Wednesday Highlights
<br />This year, we are switching things up a bit. Make sure
<br />to wear your region colors on THURSDAY INSTEAD, and
<br />join us for our annual awards luncheon. Then, make sure
<br />to stick around for a cash bar followed by a our Hats Off
<br />to City Clerks Banquet. Due to last year’s popularity, the
<br />conference entertainment committee will be hosting
<br />Bingo Night again with fun, themed prizes to win.
<br />Please note: registration is required for the plated dinner,
<br />so if you sign up, please make sure to attend, and if you
<br />don’t sign up, please do not attend, as the venue will not have a meal
<br />prepared for you.
<br />
<br />Thursday Vendor Show
<br />Once again, day two at the Conference brings an exciting exhibit show,
<br />with vendors from around the country showcasing their products and
<br />services to make a big difference in your daily work lives. It is
<br />extremely important to visit their booths as their support of the
<br />conference keeps your attendance costs as low as possible. Take the
<br />time to visit them all, especially at the 2:45-4:30 PM timeslot where
<br />many of the exhibitors have brought items, and offer an opportunity to
<br />win fabulous prizes!
<br />
<br />Thursday Silent Auction
<br />The popular silent auction starts at 10:30 AM. Take time to view and
<br />bid on items donated by clerks and finance officers throughout the
<br />state, as well as items from our generous sponsors and exhibitors. Be
<br />sure to bid often… Please note: the Silent Auction closes at 4:00 PM.
<br />Silent Auction items must be paid for and picked up by 4:30 PM on
<br />Thursday, March 20th. If you are not able to stay for the end of the
<br />Silent Auction, please make arrangements to have a colleague pick up
<br />your item(s). Proceeds from the auction support the Association’s
<br />training, scholarship programs, and 3 lucky winners will be granted
<br />conference registration and travel costs to attend the 2025 IIMC
<br />Annual Conference in St. Louis (Winners must be active MCFOA
<br />members at the time of the drawing).
<br />
<br />Thursday Evening
<br />In accordance with the conference theme, we are excited to welcome
<br />Minneapolis magician, Matt Dunn! Make sure to join us right away at
<br />4:30, as Matt Dunn will be providing some improv fun during cocktail
<br />hour. Then, from 5:30-6:30 PM, don’t miss out on his live
<br />performance! Please note: we are starting entertainment a little bit
<br />earlier on Thursday. Dinner will be on your own!
<br />
<br />Conference Updates
<br />You asked! We listened! See below for important updates.
<br />
<br />**Dietary Restrictions: for those with allergies, a menu will be sent ahead of time, and the Chef will provide
<br />labeled options for you in the buffet line. If you are attending the banquet, please see your option on page 3. If
<br />the alternative option does not work, please contact Kassidi at kassidi.andres@stcloudstate.edu.
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