AV Service Provider

Gold | Sightline Productions

Seeing an opportunity to focus on high-end, large-scale corporate events, AVEX spun out this service into Sightline Productions in 2024. The move allows the veteran Plymouth firm to invest in the people, equipment, and service for premium theater-style events. Now with 18 employees, Sightline melds technical event production and creative stage design to execute events of all sizes. Sightline has the skills to execute immersive lighting design, programming, custom video formats, and interactive displays. It calls on 24 years of event work to deliver outstanding experiences for clients and their audiences.

Silver | AV For You

Bronze | Encore Global

Event Planning Firm

Gold | Do Good Events

When customers seek to raise money for their favorite causes, they can find a partner in Do Good Events. Operating from St. Louis Park since 2013, the firm specializes in nonprofit fundraising galas, golf tournaments, and celebrations. Its 2025 events helped nonprofits raise more than $14 million with its fundraising strategies. Do Good Events also is a veteran planner of large multiday conferences, corporate meetings, incentive programs, executive retreats, and leadership summits. Do Good also offers staffing services for event execution and hospitality.

Silver | Rocket Science Events

Bronze | Amy Zaroff Events + Design

Catering Company

Gold | D’Amico Hospitality

D’Amico Hospitality captured this category for the sixth time in a decade, along with honors like the International Caterers Association’s Caterer of the Year—the first Minnesota recipient. The recently renamed company (formerly D’Amico Catering) is now owned and operated by Paul Smith, the previous CFO. Under his direction, D’Amico grew to 11 venues in 2025 with the addition of three locations: Machine Shop, Woodland Glasshaus at Bavaria Downs, and Mill District Event Spaces. During 31 years in business, D’Amico Hospitality has orchestrated 80,000 gatherings. From corporate events to weddings, the common thread is D’Amico’s goal to make important moments remarkable.

Silver | Chowgirls Catering

Bronze | Afro Deli Catering

Décor and Equipment Rental Service

Gold | Après Event Décor & Tent Rental

Family-owned Après Event Décor & Tent Rental has 39 years of event work under its belt. It offers a one-stop location for décor, including tent consultation and installation, seating, and all the bells and whistles. The Minnetonka company knows tents, providing a range of styles and structures, including clear-top, high-peak, and industrial-grade tenting. Après also provides an array of indoor and outdoor furniture, staging, linens, tableware, and décor. Après’ gallery and showroom allow customers to find inspiration for their upcoming gatherings, whether it’s for a special event, trade show, or expo.

Silver | Event Lab

Bronze | Linen Effects

Corporate Event Venue: Hotel

Gold | Hilton Minneapolis

Hilton Minneapolis’ skyway connection to the Minneapolis Convention Center makes it an enviable location. On top of that, the hotel has flexible event offerings: Hilton has 41 meeting rooms, 800-plus guest rooms, and experience staging many types of gatherings, whether guests are seeking a place to meet or to celebrate. Since 1992, Hilton has hosted and catered many events for individuals and companies. The hotel opened its Topgolf Swing Suites in 2025, a venue with food, drink, and games for client entertainment or team building.

Silver | Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis

Bronze | The Saint Paul Hotel

Corporate Event Venue: Non-hotel

Gold | Allianz Field

Event planners looking for a unique venue have been turning to Allianz Field in St. Paul since its opening in 2019. The home of the Minnesota United FC Loons, Allianz Field hosts events on non-game days primarily for corporate groups. An events team helps clients pick from 10 spaces in the stadium such as the Grand Casino Brew Hall, stadium club, party suites, roof deck, and even the pitch (as the playing field is known in soccer). Allianz’s 125-strong team has experience hosting 20-plus annual Loons games, along with music festivals and other large-scale events. This know-how applies to customers’ business conferences, special events, and other gatherings, too.

Silver | Metropolitan Ballroom & Clubroom

Bronze | Machine Shop

Restaurant for Private Dining Space

Gold | 6Smith

Perched along Lake Minnetonka, 6Smith offers private dining spaces that often take advantage of scenic views. The large Wayzata restaurant has five spaces, including an intimate 14-seater up to its Revel & Knotty space for 80 people with an adjacent private patio. The Rooftop, the only such space on the lake, features a private bar and water vistas. Event hosts can pick from an abundant steak- and seafood-based menu with food sourced from small and local suppliers. Artful Living magazine declared 6Smith to be one of its six favorite spots for power lunches in America.

Silver | 112 Eatery; Baldamar (tie)

Bronze | Bar La Grassa

Corporate Retreat Venue

Gold | Grand View Lodge

When companies want to thank employees or wow clients with a classic “up north” experience, they often head to Grand View Lodge. The grande dame of Gull Lake, Grand View Lodge has been welcoming guests since 1916. From team building to meetings and events, Grand View provides a range of settings and experiences. Clients can choose among venues such as its Main Lodge, listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, a boutique-style resort hotel and golf course-centric residences. Corporate clients take advantage of Grand View’s robust year-round activities, including boating, snowmobiling, glow golf, and mixology courses.

Silver | Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts

Bronze | Madden’s on Gull Lake

Corporate Off-site Experience

Gold | Can Can Wonderland

Can Can Wonderland has a way of bringing out guests’ youthful spirits. Its artist-designed 18-hole mini-golf course, old-school pinball machines, and 125-plus arcade games ensure that visitors have fun. Add food, drink, and live entertainment, and Can Can Wonderland is a memorable and unique place to host events. Operating in the old American Can Co. factory in St. Paul since 2017, Can Can Wonderland reserves its full venue with a capacity of 1,000 people. It also offers party rooms and other designated areas for corporate events, company parties, and team building. It has earned many honors, including Newsweek Readers’ Choice Award in 2025.

Silver | Cooks of Crocus Hill

Bronze | Topgolf