- Capacity: Thirteen meeting rooms, including one seating up to 392 people
- Dining: Full range of dining options
- Location: Convenient Saint Paul campus location
- Service: Planning and technical support
- Parking: Three nearby lots
- Accommodations: Through the Roseville Visitor's Association
Are you being asked to do more with less money? This Saint Paul campus meeting facility and conference center offers you 13 meeting rooms with numerous setup options and a full range of dining choices—all for a low per-person fee. Additionally, we'll help you plan and manage everything from setting up meeting rooms and rental agreements to meal planning and hotel arrangements.
Pricing for Packages
Select from two package options and different day breakdowns within each option described below. Need a customized package? Please let us know.
Room Meeting Packages
The Room Meeting Package includes a general session room with podium and microphone, LCD projector use, flip paper, markers, tape and one Ethernet line. One breakout space is included for every 50 people with a maximum of three breakout spaces. Need additional equipment or breakout spaces (options below)? Just let us know.
| Room Meeting Packages | Pricing | U of M Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Full Day (8 a.m.−5 p.m.) | $15.25 per person | $13.50 per person |
| Evening (6−10 p.m.) | $12.00 per person | $11.00 per person |
Dining Room Rental
Available from 7:30–9:30 a.m. and from 3:30–10:00 p.m.
Courtyard $300 (includes microphone and podium)
Club $100
Courtside $100
Food Service Packages
A full-day food service package includes a morning continental breakfast break, buffet lunch, afternoon break, and continuous beverage service until 3:30 p.m. Need food service requests outside these times? Just let us know.
| Food Service Packages | Pricing/Per Person* |
|---|---|
| Full Day | $24.25 |
| AM Break (7:30−9:30 a.m.) | $8.05 |
| Lunch (11:30 a.m.−12:30 p.m.) | $11.80 |
| PM Break (1:30−3:30 p.m.) | $5.45 |
| AM/PM Breaks | $13.10 |
| AM Break with Lunch | $19.70 |
| PM Break with Lunch | $16.65 |
* Food and beverage charges are subject to a 7.375% sales tax.
Attendee Prepurchased Lunch
If you do not intend to provide lunch to attendees, they can prepurchase a lunch (up to four days in advance) from the U's Dining Services. Please let us know if you are requesting this option.
Food Samples
Technology
The conference center offers advanced technology services and ongoing technical support to meet your connectivity needs.
Computer Technology Services to Support Your Event
Are you planning a large conference with multiple breakout sessions and presenters? To ensure that everything runs smoothly, we can arrange for:
- speaker laptop connections
- configuring and testing all systems requiring an internet connection
- projection setup
- presenters to email data files to our staff
- installation and testing of files and notification of results
Video Conferencing $200/Hour − Four-Hour Minimum
Use WebEx to deliver streaming meetings and events with the capacity for 1,000 virtual participants. We'll ensure a quality experience for attendees with a dedicated camera technician, onboarding assistance, and more. Price is $200 for up to four hours (including one hour of setup). Just let us know your video conferencing needs when you book your space.
Wireless Internet Service − $5 per Person
The Center offers free wireless at a speed sufficient for accessing email and the web. However, if your attendees will need to be online en masse, we encourage you to purchase sponsored accounts ($5 per day/person).
The sponsored account operates in excess of 24 MB. Let us know if you'll need this service at least two weeks in advance.
How to log in to free U of M wireless:
- Select "UofM Guest" from the Wi-Fi network options
- Launch internet browser
- Agree to the Terms of Use
Room Capacities
Upper Level
|
Room Number |
Theater |
Classroom |
Chevron |
Modified Chevron |
U-Shape |
Spoke |
Room Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
392 |
240 |
192 |
240 |
45 |
180 |
200 |
|
|
135AC/BD |
196 |
120 |
96 |
120 |
42 |
84 |
100 |
|
135A/B/C/D |
70 |
48 |
36 |
48 |
21 |
36 |
50 |
|
112 |
72 |
60 |
72 |
30 |
48 |
50 |
|
|
155A/B |
42 |
24 |
24 |
24 |
15 |
24 |
25 |
|
54 |
36 |
30 |
NA |
24 |
24 |
20 |
|
|
156A/B |
24 |
18 |
12 |
NA |
12 |
12 |
10 |
|
54 |
36 |
30 |
NA |
21 |
24 |
20 |
|
|
166A/B |
24 |
18 |
12 |
NA |
9 |
12 |
10 |
|
Upper Level |
|
|
|
|
|
|
250 |
Dining Room/Meeting Room
|
Room |
Maximum Capacity |
|---|---|
|
264 |
|
|
Restaurant |
24 |
|
16 conference, 36 (9 four-tops) |
|
|
12 conference |
Lower Level
|
Room Number |
Theater |
Classroom |
Chevron |
Modified Chevron |
U-Shape |
Spoke |
Room Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
70 |
48 |
36 |
48 |
24 |
42 |
32 |
|
|
143/132* |
72/90* |
54 |
72/90* |
39 |
72 |
65 |
|
|
60 |
36 |
NA |
36 |
24 |
30 |
30 |
|
|
48 |
36 |
36 |
NA |
24 |
24 |
22 |
|
|
35 |
24 |
NA |
NA |
15 |
18 |
5 |
|
|
70 |
48 |
36 |
48 |
24 |
42 |
32 |
|
|
36 |
24 |
18 |
NA |
15 |
18 |
20 |
|
|
83** |
140 |
102 |
NA |
NA |
NA |
NA |
50 |
|
Lower Level |
|
|
|
|
|
|
130 |
* Maximum seating for this type of setup is dependent on direction room faces.
** Round tables only.
Download and print these convenient documents in PDF format: Room Capacities and Seating Options.
Directions and Parking
1890 Buford Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55108
Driving Directions
From I-694 take 35W south to the Cleveland Avenue exit (Note: exit to the left). Follow Cleveland Avenue to Larpenteur Avenue. Go east (left) on Larpenteur to Gortner, turn south (right) on Gortner, and go to Buford Avenue. Turn east (left) on Buford Avenue to the parking area.
From I-35W take the Highway 36 exit and turn south on Cleveland Avenue to Larpenteur Avenue. Go east (left) on Larpenteur to Gortner, turn south (right) on Gortner, and go to Buford Avenue. Turn east (left) on Buford Avenue to the parking area.
From downtown Saint Paul: Go west on I-94 to Snelling Ave. Go north on Snelling Ave. to Larpenteur Avenue. Go west (left) on Larpenteur to Gortner, turn south (left) on Gortner, and go to Buford Avenue. Turn east (left) on Buford Avenue to the parking area.
From downtown Minneapolis: Go east on I-94 to MN-280, exit number 236. (Note: exit to the left.) Merge onto MN-280 north. Exit at Larpenteur Ave. Take Larpenteur east (right) to Gortner (third traffic light). Turn south (right) on Gortner and go to Buford Avenue. Turn east (left) on Buford Avenue to the parking area.
Public Transportation/Parking Information
Please see this Parking and Transportation Services page for all public transportation options.
Recommended lots and ramps include:
- Lot S104 − South of the conference center; follow Buford east one block to stop sign, S104 is to the right
- Lot S108 (not open June−August) − South of the conference center; follow Buford east one block to stop sign, S108 is directly ahead
- Gortner Ramp − West of CECC, across Gortner
Contact Us
612-624-3275 | cce-confctr@umn.edu
1890 Buford Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55108
| Name | Title | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ken Gay | Director | 612-624-2777 | kgay@umn.edu |
| Leslie Berry | Client Relations Supervisor/Reservations | 612-624-3275 | lberry@umn.edu |
| Michael Wybierala | Conference Operations Supervisor/Technology Manager | 612-624-3667 | wybi0001@umn.edu |
| Ron Forsyth | Food Service Manager | 612-624-4234 | forsy119@umn.edu |
| Wendy Gardner | Conference Services Coordinator | 612-624-3411 | wgardner@umn.edu |
| Matt Caflisch | Communications Specialist | 612-624-0790 | cafli002@umn.edu |
| DJ DuFrene | Communications Specialist | 612-624-9249 | dufre044@umn.edu |
Conference Center Highlights
Facility Update
The pedestrian bridge replacement has gone well: so well, in fact, that the scope of the project was expanded to include new steps that lead to the lower entry. The new bridge is an aesthetic improvement over the old structure and will last for years. The bridge is scheduled to reopen Monday, September 18. We appreciate your patience throughout the construction process.
Onsite Technology
Have questions about audio and visual equipment for your meetings? Our technical services staff provides full service for the duration of your event. We will meet with your planners and presenters and connect them to the AV systems and remain in the facility during your event to troubleshoot any issues that may come up. And we’re happy to discuss any technology concerns ahead of time. See the Technology section for details on all our tech offerings.
Meeting Planner Resource
It’s back-to-school time for many of us right now. A great way to get into this spirit is to learn something yourself. You could start with Judy Allen’s book, Event Planning: The Ultimate Guide To Successful Meetings, Corporate Events, Fundraising Galas, Conferences, Conventions, Incentives and Other Special Events. The book is often used in event planning classes and provides a great resource for meetings and budgets of all sizes.
Any event you plan and stage is a reflection of your organization’s image, from the initial invitation to on-site operations. Whether you’re planning a product launch, conference, sales meeting, an incentive event, or a gala fund-raiser, remember that the magic of a truly memorable event is in the details, but so is the devil. Whether your event is for 50 or 2,000 people, whether it has a budget of a few thousand dollars or hundreds of thousands, it has to be perfect.
Event Planning is loaded with practical advice on:
- Choosing the best venue
- Preparing and managing the budget, with sample costing forms included
- Scheduling, staffing, and collaborating with other related professionals
- Coordinating food and beverage, décor, entertainment, and themes.
You can find it online at Amazon.com.
It's Meal Time!
When it's time to take a break during that busy conference, look no further than the conference center's plentiful buffets of satisfying fare. We offer comprehensive catering services that include breakfast buffets, vegetarian and meat-lover lunch options, and a variety of tasty snacks and beverages. Check out all the options in our Pricing for Packages section.
Professional Development: Communicating with a Winning Presence − October 13
Learn to speak with clarity, confidence, and passion! In today's business climate, every interaction and presentation counts like never before. Any moment can be a make-or-break opportunity to win over a key audience and get closer to your professional goals. The world becomes a stage and the spotlight’s on you, whether you're networking, selling, interviewing, leading, or presenting. Communicating with a Winning Presence shows you how to present yourself, your ideas, and your organization to inspire connections, deliver compelling messages, and elevate your expressiveness.
See more information about this course and all professional education courses offered by the U of M College of Continuing and Professional Studies.
Request for Proposal
Request a proposal today and receive this handy 20-year planning calendar!