Sunday, August 24th: Travel Day
Participants should fly into the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP).
Our hotel block will be reserved at The Element Hotel in Bloomington, MN, which can be easily accessed from the airport via:
- The Metro Blue Line (13 minute ride, leaves every 10 minutes)
- The 54 bus (10 minute ride, leaves every 10 minutes)
- The 495V bus (12 minute ride)
Note: You will ride to the Mall of America stop; we hope participants will enjoy the spectacle of the mall during their visit to Minnesota.
Monday, August 25th: Day 1 - Scientific Program
Breakfast will be available at the hotel.
Buses will pick up at The Element Hotel in Bloomington, MN and drive participants to The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.
We will have a full day of presentations at the Snyder Auditorium at the Arb, with morning snacks, coffee, and boxed lunches available so that participants can enjoy the Arb's gardens during breaks.
A short tour of the UMN Horticultural Research Center will take place at the end of the day before the buses drop participants back at the hotel.
Participants will have dinner on their own.
Tuesday, August 26th: Day 2 - Vineyard and Winery Tours
Breakfast will be available at the hotel.
We will be touring vineyards and wineries around Stillwater, MN, a beautiful area on the western banks of the St. Croix River.
Our schedule of wineries includes:
7 Vines Vineyard (Dellwood, MN), visiting the vineyard and production facility tank
Rustic Roots (Scandia, MN), for lunch and a tour of their production facilities
Saint Croix Vineyards, for a tour of the winery and a wine dinner catered by the Lake Elmo Inn
Dinner is kindly sponsored by our wonderful partners at E. & J. Gallo and will feature local specialties including Swedish meatballs, potato crusted walleye, and seasonal roasted veggie strudel, as well as a selection of award winning wines from Minnesota producers.
