Ultimate Guide to Minnebar19

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) 486-2741‬.

Minnestar is committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive, and harassment-free experience for everyone. Please take a few minutes to review our Code of Conduct  before you arrive.

If you experience or witness harassment, or have any concerns at all, please reach out right away. You can:

• Find a volunteer, staff, or board member
• Talk to a team member at check-in or in New York (Event Operations)
• Call or text a member of the Minnestar board at (612) 486-2741

We take this seriously and are here to help.

Best Buy security will also be onsite and stationed across from check-in if you have security concerns. If you or someone else is in immediate danger or experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911.

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.

Learn more about Minnebar here and check out recordings from Minnebar17 here.

Minnebar is free and open to anyone with an interest.

Minnebar20 will be held Saturday May 2, 2026 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 – 9:30 | Kickoff & Session 0
• 9:45 – 12:05 | Morning Sessions
• 11:20 – 1:25 | Lunch**
• 12:30 – 4:50 | Afternoon Sessions
• 4:50 – 7:00 | Third Annual Charles Edge Social Hour

**Note: We’re trying something new this year — a longer lunch that spans two session blocks. This gives everyone more time to grab food, catch a session, connect with new people, or take a breather before the afternoon gets rolling. Whether you want to dive into a session first, refuel early, or spend some extra time networking — lunch at Minnebar is now a little more flexible.

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 the 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. Registration is located at P3N.

🚧 Construction Alert: Several ramps near I-494 and Penn Ave are closed. Leave extra time and check your route.

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 be let 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 will be closed. While there is an intercom at the entrance in case someone gets stuck, it is an entrance that should be avoided.

ON A BICYCLE

Biking in? Bike racks are available on P1N, P2N, P3N. Enter the ramp from Penn Ave, please be careful of cars and lock your bike up to a rack before entering the venue.

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 ticket or QR code needed!). They'll also give you a token to exchange for your t-shirt.

After you're checked in, you will:

• Grab a name tag, and customize it
• Exchange a token for you Minnebar t-shirt

Check-in will be open all day, so feel free to arrive when it works for you — and you’re welcome to come and go as needed.

A quick heads up: attendees should be pre-registered, and if we’re on a waitlist, tickets won’t be available day-of — so be sure to grab your tickets ahead of time here.

If you need anything throughout the day, swing back by check-in — it’s your go-to spot for help.

Best Buy HQ is an incredible (and BIG) space — and with 150+ sessions throughout the day, it can feel a little chaotic (in the best way!) We’ve put together a map to help you find your way around. Click here to view our Minnebar Map. Additional information on room locations for sessions can be found at sessions.minnestar.org/schedule.

Feeling a little turned around? Can't find your room? No worries. 

We’ve got volunteers stationed throughout the space to help — including at:

• Check-in (near the entrance)
• Newbie table (near the arcade)
• Various spots around the building

Look for the yellow lanyards — you can’t miss them. They’re there to help you get where you need to go 🙌

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!

We’ve got you covered throughout the day with plenty of options to keep you fueled, caffeinated, and hydrated. We do our best to offer inclusive options for a range of dietary needs — more on that below. Here’s what to expect:

💧 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 & COFFEE

• Complimentary water, soft drinks and snacks will be available all day in the cafeteria. We'll have fruit throughout the day and you can check out the nutrition facts for our packaged snacks here.
• Free regular coffee will be brewing at Caribou until 2:30 PM. If you’d like to purchase other drinks or snacks, Caribou will be open 8PM-2:30PM.
• Best Buy has also added a self-serve “connivence store” and Farmer's Fridge at the entrance to Sandy's (the Cafeteria), 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 (the Cafeteria) from 4:50-7PM to mingle, network and celebrate the #MNtech 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.

As of 3/27/2025, we ask that anyone who is feeling unwell stay home and not attend the event.

• WiFi — Complimentary guest WiFi is available throughout the facility, but things happen! If you’re relying on internet access for your session or work, please plan a backup. If you need to take a call, you can also step outside if needed. To connect, join the “Guest” network (no password needed).
• 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 table with information about the convention center (bathroom locations, lost & found, bike entry, etc). The Info Table will be located near Sandy’s Place.
• Coat Racks — The visitor lobby has space for 1000 coats; first come, first served.
• Child Care — Onsite childcare is available for those who pre-registered. Space is limited and typically fills up about a month before the event. Email support@minnestar.org with any questions.
• Security — Best Buy security will be onsite throughout the day. In case of an emergency, please visit the Security Desk near registration or call 911.
• Lost and Found — Bring all lost and found items to the Security 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.
• 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,
• are super salesy, or
• include the use of drones.

Otherwise, they’re in! We use the votes as an indicator of demand to put people in appropriate sized rooms. We'll close session submissions April 19, 2026 to run our scheduling algorithm. Check out our Presenter Guide for more info on hosting a session. 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 check out this Humanitix article to find instructions on how to cancel your ticket so another person can attend.