The Minnesota tech community’s biggest day of the year is back, baby!
First held in 2006, Minnebar is an annual technology conference held in Minneapolis. Minnebar, like other BarCamps, is an (un)conference that is participant-led and has a very loose structure.
BarCamps are held around the world from Swaziland to Seattle; Minnebar is rumored to be the largest in the Western Hemisphere. There are no formal or curated workshops (although we sometimes host minor web celebrities), and all sessions are led by people from the tech and business community.
Minnebar is free and open to anyone with an interest. We look forward to seeing you Sat, April 20th!
Before the Event
1. Sign up to lead a session
Minnebar is a participatory event and everyone is encouraged (but not required) to sign up to lead discussions, talks, and panels on any subject in which they are interested. No matter what, come ready to jump into great sessions!
2. Vote for sessions you would like to see
We use votes to determine popularity of sessions and plan rooms accordingly, so make sure to vote for your favorites! Check back in the weeks leading up to the event, as new events get added every day.
3. Get tickets
If you’ve ever attended Minnebar, you know that tickets sell out FAST. Snag yours here: Minnebar18 Tickets. If you are a Community Supporter or Sponsor you champion the MN tech community and get reserved early access tickets to the event (go you!). Learn about how to join these groups and get automatic entry to our events: Become a Community Supporter / Become a Sponsor / Become a Minnebar18 Volunteer!
Day of Event
Schedule
Minnebar18 will be held Saturday April 20, 2024 at Best Buy’s Corporate Campus. Complete sessions schedule will be posted the day before the event on sessions.minnestar.org. Schedule for the day:
Minnestar is dedicated to providing a welcoming, inclusive, and harassment-free conference experience for everyone. Make sure you read our Code of Conduct before arriving.
If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact a member of the conference team immediately either in person at the check-in table, or by calling/texting a member of the Minnestar board at (612) 564-5111.
In case of emergencies, Best Buy security will be on site and stationed across from the check-in table.
First held in 2006, Minnebar is an annual community technology conference held in Minneapolis.
Minnebar, like other BarCamps, is an (un)conference that is participant-led and has a very loose structure.
BarCamps are held around the world from Swaziland to Seattle; Minnebar is rumored to be the largest in the Western Hemisphere. There are no formal or curated workshops (although we sometimes host minor web celebrities), and all sessions are led by people from the tech and business community.
Minnebar19 will be held Saturday May 3, 2025 at Best Buy’s Corporate Campus. Complete schedule of event will be posted on http://sessions.minnestar.org.
Schedule of the day:
8:00 – 8:30 – Registration & Light Breakfast
8:30 – 8:50 – Kickoff
8:50 – 9:20 – Session 0
9:35 – 12:05 – Morning Sessions
12:05 – 1:05 – Lunch
1:05 – 4:30 – Afternoon Sessions
4:30 – 6:30 – Second Annual Charles Edge Social Hour
Best Buy Corporate Campus 7601 Penn Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55423 Google Maps
IN A MOTOR VEHICLE
Feel free to park in the parking ramp (it's free) that can be accessed via Penn Ave. No parking in visitors parking lot, entrance to the event is only available via the parking ramp. Once in the ramp, enter the building using doors on the north side (doors marked P1N, P2N, or P3N). Signs will be posted.
🚧 Construction Alert: Several ramps near I-494 and Penn Ave are closed. Leave extra time and check your route—even if you’ve joined us before. Map apps should be up to date. Get more info from MnDOT here.
ON THE BUS
Penn Ave. – If you are dropped off on Penn Ave., follow the sidewalk that is to the left side of the driveway leading into the parking ramp tunnel. The sidewalk will bring attendees to the transit entrance where they can press the intercom to contact security to get in.
76th Street – Follow the sidewalk from the street to the Transit entrance. You will need to call on the intercom.
Knox Ave. – The patio entrance is closed at this time and getting in will be difficult. While there is an intercom at the entrance in case someone gets stuck, it is an entrance that should be avoided.
ON A BICYCLE
If anyone is riding a bicycle to the conference, please use the transit entrance at 76th St. & Newton Ave. Bike racks are available, use the intercom for access.
Check-in is on the 2nd floor at the North entrance, accessible from parking ramp doors P1N–P4N. We’re making a big effort this year to ensure everyone is registered—thanks in advance for your patience during the morning rush!
When you arrive, volunteers will check you in using your name (no need for a ticket or QR code). They'll also give you a ticket to claim for your t-shirt.
After you're checked in, you will:
Grab a name tag, and customize it
Exchange a ticket for you Minnebar t-shirt
If you have questions during the day, return to check-in for anything you need.
With hosting 100s of Minnebar talks each year, Best Buy HQ is an incredible (and BIG) space – this year, we've put together a new map to help you find you way around!
Click here to view our Minnebar Map. Additional information on room locations for sessions can be found at sessions.minnestar.org/schedule.
Lost? Not sure how to find your session room? We have volunteers stationed to help at registration (near the entrance), newbie table (near the arcade) and other various locations throughout the event. They'll be in yellow t-shirts, so you can't miss them!
We know that at times large events can seem overwhelming, especially if you are new and/or coming on your own. So, we at Minnestar wanted to do something about it.
At Minnebar, near the arcade you will find our Newbie Table – staffed with friendly volunteers who have signed up to be available to attend sessions with you, have lunch with you, answer your questions, introduce you to your next friend or recommend a session based on your interests.
We are hoping that it goes a long way to help folks who are new and/or coming alone feel connected, welcome and excited about your day!
In an effort to reduce plastic waste, water stations will be provided throughout the facility. Bring a water bottle to fill up and stay hydrated throughout the day!
BREAKFAST
Light breakfast will be available starting at 8:00 AM in the cafeteria area (bagels, donuts, fresh fruit, granola bars, yogurt).
SNACKS
Complimentary water, soft drinks and snacks will be available all day in the cafeteria.
Free regular coffee will be brewing at Caribou until 3:00 PM. If you’d like to purchase other drinks or snacks, Caribou will be open 8am-3pm.
Best Buy has also added a self-serve “connivence store” and Farmer's Fridge at the entrance to Sandy's, where you can purchase additional snacks, beverages, and more.
LUNCH
Lunch from Pizza Luce is included with your event ticket, and can be found in the Best Buy Cafeteria (Sandy’s Place). Vegetarian, Vegan and Gluten-Free pizza options will be available.
During lunch, the outdoor area near Sandy's will be open and accessible for anyone who would prefer to eat outside (weather permitting). During the rest of the day, these doors will remain closed for security purposes.
CHARLES EDGE SOCIAL HOUR
Joins us back in Sandy's Place from 4:30-6:30pm to mingle, network and celebrate the MN tech community! Minnebar attendees will receive one free drink ticket, and light appetizers will be provided. A selection of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be available with your ticket and for purchase.
We do our best to accommodate dietary needs and keep everyone well-fed and hydrated — but with a crowd this size, it’s a big lift! If you’re having trouble finding something that works for you, please don’t hesitate to let us know.
No Smoking — Best Buy is officially a non smoking campus. Any smoking or vaping must take place in your car or off campus.
Info Desk — Best Buy staffs an information desk with information about the convention center (bathroom locations, lost & found, bike entry, etc). The Info Desk will be located near Sandy’s Place.
Coat Racks — Visitor lobby has space for 1000 coats; first come, first served.
Lost and Found — Bring all lost and found items to the Info Desk. A contact within Best Buy will pick up all items the next day and will be the point of contact for missing items. Contact us at support@minnestar.org for post-event information.
Child Care — We have childcare available on site only for those that pre-registered. Email support@minnestar.org with any questions.
Nursing Room/Lactation Suite — Check in at the security desk for access to the nursing suite, complete with four private lactation rooms, fridge for milk storage, and lockers for pump/personal item storage.
Prayer Room — Check in at the security desk for access to the prayer room (prayer rugs provided).
Minnebar is an (un)conference, which means that all sessions submitted will be approved unless they:
don’t comply with the code of conduct, or
are super salesy
Otherwise, they’re in!
We use the votes as an indicator of demand to put people in appropriate sized rooms. We close the session submission tool a few days prior to the event (to run our scheduling algorithm), but folks are still welcome to even show up day of and write a session they’ll be giving on the board (it just wouldn’t be featured on the official schedule).
Early submission is the best way to get lots of folks excited about your session and aware of it, but we do take submissions right up until early the week of the event.
Also important to note: all presenters get a reserved ticket that will be sent to them – we look forward to seeing you there!
Great question! We've got you – all presenters and volunteers will be sent their very own special ticket link about a week prior to the event. Register using that link, and you won't have to worry about if the event sells out 🙂
At Minnebar, we have a saying: ‘vote with your feet’, meaning that this is an (un)conference – if you’re in a session and want to check out a different one, feel free! Folks will be popping in and out of sessions – we just ask that you be respectful to the presenter and make your transitions quiet.
If you can no longer attend and have already reserved a ticket, please go to http://www.eventbrite.com/mytickets/ to find instructions to cancel your ticket so another person can attend
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