Ultimate Guide to Minnebar18

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.

Minnebar is free and open to anyone with an interest. Check out the video recap from 2022's Minnebar16 here.

Minnebar18 will be held Saturday April 20, 2024 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 – 8:45 – Kickoff
• 8:45 – 9:15 – Session 0
• 9:25 – 12 – Sessions
• 12:00 – 1:00 – Lunch
• 1 – 4:30 – Sessions

Best Buy Corporate Campus
7601 Penn Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55423
Google Maps

PLEASE NOTE: Construction season in Minnesota has officially begun and this weekend the ramp from westbound I-494 to Penn Ave will be closed. This will impact many folks arriving to Minnebar from the west – if that's you, please give yourself a few extra minutes to arrive and use France Ave to eastbound 1-494 and exit at Penn Ave as a detour.

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.

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 Wellness 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 entrance by the basketball courts on the Penn. Ave side of the building (this is the Wellness Zone entrance). We have a large bicycle rack that you can use.

If you are volunteering at Minnebar, please head to the check-In tables for your assignment.

Check-in tables will be found right at the entrance to the Best Buy event space, on the 2nd floor. Parking, entrance, and venue map can be found on this page under 'How do I get there?'

When you arrive, volunteers will scan your printed ticket or the Eventbrite app QR code.

At the check-in tables, you will pick up:

• Your name tag, and customize it
• Your Minnebar t-shirt
• Swag from Minnebar sponsors

If you have questions during the day, return to the check-in tables.

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 Minnebar18 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 – just look for the turquoise t-shirts!

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!

WATER

• 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 and soft drinks will be available all day in the cafeteria. There will be free regular Caribou coffee (while supplies last). Caribou will be open 8:00 AM-1:00 PM to purchase any other drinks you like.

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 during the lunch hour for anyone who would prefer to eat outside (weather permitting). During the rest of the day, these doors will remain closed for security purposes. 

AFTER PARTY AT SOUTHTOWN LANES

• Joins us at Southtown Lanes in Bloomington, MN from 4:30-7:30pm to mingle, network and celebrate the MN tech community! Minnebar attendees will receive one free drink ticket – additional drinks and food will be available for purchase.

As of 3/29/2024, we ask that anyone who is feeling unwell or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms to stay home and not attend the event.

• WiFi — Complimentary guest WiFi.
• 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 are working to secure childcare for the event. Spots will be limited – if you are interested in securing a spot for your child, email support@minnestar.org prior to April 7th.
• 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 🙂

Follow Minnebar on social media and share your experiences!

• Hashtag: #minnebar
• Twitter: @minnestar
• Facebook: Minnestar
• LinkedIn: Minnestar
• Instagram: @minnestarmn

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.

Come as you are! Wear whatever makes you comfortable. At Minnebar, you will see everything from suits to sweatpants.

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

We know that our community of technologists are constantly creating and experimenting, so we do allow you to demo a new or different product again.

We use our discretion when presenters submit multiple times to make sure there are opportunities throughout the community to demo.