NTEN is excited you're joining us in Minneapolis for for the 2013 Nonprofit Technology Conference, the sector's premier technology professional development conference and community event.

Below you'll find information on travel, exclusive, discounted lodging options, and options to explore our host city, Minneapolis.

Register now!

• Book Your Hotel
• About Minneapolis
• Getting to Minneapolis
• Ground Transportation

Book Your Conference Hotel

MSP Conference Hotels

NTEN is working with 5 great hotels to lodge our 13NTC attendees. Though our March 26, 2013 cut-off for making reservations at the NTEN conference rate has passed, you can still stay at one of these great hotels to be with other NTC attendees. Please contact the hotels directly for rates and availability. Hotel changes or cancellations can be made until three days prior to arrival.

Make a Reservation

Currently to make a reservation at the NTC Conference rate, you must call the hotel and mention NTEN when booking. Special Note: You must book directly with the hotels listed below in order to receive the deep discount. If a company or housing management contacts you indicating they can provide a deeper discount, please be aware that this is a scam.

Important Note: Only Minnesota sales tax exemption forms will be honored in the state of Minnesota. Out-of-state sales tax exemption forms will not be accepted. Purchase orders are not accepted to reserve accommodations.

Reservations must be received no later than March 26, 2013, to be assured a room at the NTC Conference rates. After this date, the NTEN room blocks may be released and the hotels may charge significantly higher rates. All rates are per room per night and are subject up to 13.4% sales and occupancy tax. (Please note occupancy taxes may vary by hotel.) Taxes are subject to change without notice. Hotels may charge additional fees for rooms with more than two occupants. Also note that some hotels may impose an early departure fee for cancellations and these are at the discretion of the hotel. All reservations must be guaranteed with a credit card or first night's deposit.

All hotels include complimentary wireless internet in the guestrooms and lobby.

About Minneapolis

Known as the City of Nature, Minneapolis has a vibrant, walkable downtown surrounded by lakes, trees, and the Mississippi River. Feel more comfortable on a bike? The city was voted in 2012 as one of the 10 most bikeable cities in the U.S. In late spring, we'll be getting some of the best weather Minnesota has to offer with temperatures of mid 60s and an option for using the extensive SkyWalk that stretches across the downtown area in case of inclement weather. Whether you're networking with new friends at the headquarters hotel or heading to a progressive party in the Warehouse District, we at NTEN know that you'll have an incredible experience.

Want to learn more about the city? Meet Minneapolis and create your own site-seeing itinerary before and after the NTC.

Note: Please do not make travel arrangements until you have received your NTC registration confirmation from NTEN. Not registered yet? Register here now.

Getting to Minneapolis

Greening of the NTC

 

This year, NTEN has committed to making the NTC a more sustainable event. In 2013, we will be benchmarking and measuring our environmental impact as well as our social benefit. This year we would like to invite NTC attendees to be part of our sustainability program, and we would like to provide a few suggestions for you to for consideration when planning your presence at the event.  NTEN has partnered with TerraPass to enable NTC attendees to purchase carbon offsets for their travel to Minneapolis.  Please see our NTC Carbon Offset Program for more information.

 

If You're Flying

The Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport (MSP), voted "Best Airport in America" by Travel + Leisure Magazine, is the country's 14th busiest travel hub with 34 million passengers passing through each year. Compared to other metro areas, only one other U.S. city serves more nonstop markets per capita.

MSP has one airfield with four runways and two terminal buildings - the Terminal 1 (Lindbergh, servicing: Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, United Airlines and US Airlines) and Terminal 2 (Humphrey, servicing: Air Tran Airlines, Icelandair, Southwest Airlines and Sun Country Airlines), each with adjoining parking ramp facilities.

To get to your hotel, you have many options: a taxi or the Metro Rail, with the closest stop to the NTC is Government Plaza, but you will still need to be prepared to walk a few blocks to the conference hotels. Don't feel like walking? Take the Super Shuttle from the airport directly to your hotel for $15 one way.

If You're Driving

For downtown Minneapolis construction updates, check out the city's Web site: construction updates. For traffic and road conditions in the metro area, visit the 511 Traffic & Road Conditions page.

Driving Directions To Downtown Minneapolis

From the West (I-94)
Take the 4th Street exit from I-94 and proceed to 2nd Avenue South. (Do NOT turn right onto 2nd Avenue North.) Turn right on 2nd Avenue South and go 8 blocks into the Downtown Area

From the West (I-394)
Take Downtown exit (12th Street): follow 12th Street South to 2nd Avenue South and turn right.

From the East (I-94)
Take the 11th Street exit: follow 11th Street South until you reach 2nd Avenue South, turn left onto 2nd Avenue South and cross 12th Street South.

From the South (I-35W)
Follow downtown exit signs to the 11th Street exit and follow 11th Street to 2nd Avenue South. Turn left on 2nd Avenue South and go 1 block.

From the North (I-35W)
Take I-35W to Hwy 280. Follow Hwy 280 to I-94 west. Follow I-94 to the 11th Street exit (NOT 11th Avenue exit). Follow 11th Street to 2nd Avenue South. Turn left on 2nd Avenue South and go 1 block.

From the Airport Main Terminal
Take Hwy. 55 exit from the airport. Follow Hwy. 55 west to Minneapolis. This will become Hwy. 62 west. Follow Hwy. 62 to I-35W north to Minneapolis downtown exits. Then take the 11th Street exit. Follow 11th Street South to 2nd Avenue South. Turn left on 2nd Avenue South and go 1 block.

Parking

Parking fees vary from hotel to hotel. If you plan on driving in, we encourage you to seek out some of the lower priced options in the downtown area or near the Minneapolis Hilton. 

Downtown Minneapolis parking map (PDF)

Getting Around

You can see that there are many transportation options in Minneapolis for travelers below. Also, take some time to check out some of the helpful maps of the city.

Light Rail, Metro Transit, & Bus Schedule

Metro Transit operates one of the largest public transportation systems in the country. The closest stop to the NTC is Government Plaza, but you will still need to be prepared to walk a few blocks to the conference hotels.

Fares range from $1.75 to $3.00, depending on time of day. If you're already downtown and need to hop a ride a few blocks, the fare is 50¢ in the Downtown Zone. Look for buses marked "Free Ride" and pay no fare when boarding near Nicollet Mall, a pedestrian only main shopping and restaurant hub, downtown.

Free bus rides are available on Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis and to and from the Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC). This gives you an easy way to go from one end of town to the other – for free! The free service on selected routes between Grant Street and Washington Avenue is offered on buses marked "Free Ride." Other buses on Nicollet – and all within the Downtown Zone – charge 50¢.

Free-ride buses leave every 10 minutes on weekdays and every 15 to 30 minutes on weekends. Buses on Nicollet stop every other block between 5th and 13th Streets.

All Metro Transit buses and trains are accessible. For additional information, call 612-373-3333 or visit Metro Transit.

Skyways

One of Mineapolis' most unique assets is the skyway system. Linking most of downtown with above-ground climate-controlled walkways, the system will get you from the Minneapolis Convention Center to most spots in downtown Minneapolis without ever stepping outside. All of the NTEN NTC hotels are connected to the Skywalk.

Metro Transit Multi-Day Pass

For just $6, enjoy an entire day of touring with a Day Pass. It's good for unlimited rides on Metro Transit buses and light rail (not valid on Northstar).

To use, simply insert it in the card reader on the farebox as you board the bus or use it as proof of payment on light rail. It's valid for 24 hours from first use. Day Passes are available online or at any Metro Transit store. You also can purchase a Day Pass (valid upon time of purchase) from your bus driver and from ticket machines at light-rail stations.

Taxis and Shuttles

Shuttle and cab services are available anywhere in the metro area. Catch a taxi or shuttle at the Minneapolis Convention Center and any hotel, or call ahead for service. Taxis round trip from downtown to MSP is ranges $25-30.

Shuttle and taxi service —

- Airport Taxi, 952.928.0000
- Blue and White Taxi 612.333.3333
- Rainbow Taxi, 612.332.1615
- Super Shuttle, 1.800.BLUEVAN or 612.827.7777

Paratransit transportation — Metro Mobility offers door-to-door public transportation system for persons with disabilities. Call 651-602-1111 (TTY 651-221-9886) for more information.

Van rental — Wheelchair Getaways provides rentals of wheelchair- and scooter-accessible vans. For more information call 800.642.2042.