M E D I A K I T

Woodbury Financial ServicesNational Sales Convention

August 2007

Media ContactAmanda DePhillips | Marketing & Public Relations Manager 1650 West 82nd Street, Suite 125 | Bloomington, MN 55431adephillips@metroconnections.com | p: 952.767.2907 | f: 952.884.5680

Hilton CorporationNational Sales Convention

August 2007

Proudly serving the meeting, tour industries for 25 yearsmetroConnections was incorporated April 16, 1984, in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Sam Thompson, the founding shareholder, President and majority owner,

established the company to handle the anticipated growth of Minnesota tourism

due to the new Minneapolis Convention Center, the World Trade Center in Saint

Paul, heightened marketing by the State of Minnesota and the Mall of America.

For over twenty years, metroConnections has experienced tremendous growth,

expanding the scope of services offered in Minneapolis and Chicago to include

event productions and conference services and extending the list of national and

global destinations served. The company credits this success to the combination

of its quality, service-oriented staff and its innovative clients and partners.

L E A D E R S H I P Sam ThompsonFounder, President & CEO

David GravesSenior Vice President Event Production

Mike GravesSenior Vice President Conference Services

Tom McCullochVice President/Marketing & Conference Services

A B O U T T H E C O M P A N Y

Minneapolis World Headquarters1219 Marquette Avenue, Suite 110Minneapolis, MN 55403p: 612.333.8687 | f: 612.333.4169www.metroconnections.cominfor@metroconnections.com

Conference Services1650 West 82nd StreetSuite 125Bloomington, MN 55431p: 952.767.2900 f: 952.884.5680

Event Production & Warehouse401 East Cliff RoadBurnsville, MN 55337p: 952.854.0089 f: 952.854.4613

Transportation & Tours1219 Marquette AvenueSuite 110Minneapolis, MN 55403p: 612.333.8687 f: 612.333.4169

The Philosophy: Three make a better ONESince 1984, metroConnections has provided complete conference, event and transportation services for hundreds of individuals, organizations and businesses across the globe and across the street.

metroConnections is your single source for creating and managing the entire event experience. As a trusted strategic partner, metroConnections translates your business goals and key messages into informative and memorable events that engage, inspire and move your guests.

metroConnections is a unique destination management company (DMC), bringing together more than 20 years of diverse experience in conferences, events and transportation services. Our customers range from small groups to large corporations and associations throughout North America and internationally.

metroConnections can help you plan, design and implement events throughout North America and across the globe - wherever your business takes you.

Company MissionProviding an outstanding experience is the mission of metroConnections. Our customers trust us to create seamless conferences, events, transportation programs and tours for their guests and we promise to deliver our best every time.

Our customers deserve the highest quality service. We are committed to offering the best price possible while paying close attention to the extra details that make great events extraordinary events.

A B O U T T H E S E R V I C E S

Engage your audience and your business with comprehensive planning, promotion and meeting support.

Inspire your people with décor, environments, entertainment and activities that make a lasting impression.

Move your group in style and safety, with professionally orchestrated transfers, shuttles, and tours.

metroConnections combines the strength of three specialties into one strategic group. You may choose opt to use only select services or partner with us as a “one-stop-shop” for all your event-related needs. As a trusted partner, metroConnections translates

your business goals and key messages into informative and memorable events that engage, inspire and move your guests.

Conference ServicesConference Services Conference ServicesEvent Production Conference ServicesTransportation & Tours

CONFERENCE SERVICESServices include:Conference planning and supportLogistical planning and meeting support servicesSite and venue selectionOnline Registration and supportProgram marketing

Attend-eSource® Web-based SolutionAttend-eSource®, a suite of web- based solutions that allows meeting planners to plan faster, manage logistics easier and provide analysis accurately and more effectively – freeing up time and resources.

Meeting Technology What is this web-based suite of •solutions for the meeting planner called Attend-eSource®?What solution do you offer so that •attendees can schedule multiple sessions for a conference in minutes? Did you commission session •scanning and lead retrieval equipment to help meeting planners do their jobs easier?

Greener MeetingsDo recycled and recyclable name •badges exist?What are the paperless registration •options?

Conference BrandingWhat are the ways metroConnections •can help clients brand their conference onsite and online?

S T O R Y I D E A S

Onsite Registration Support

EVENT PRODUCTIONTheme EventsInteractive EventsTeam Building ActivitiesEnvironmental Design and DécorExhibits

Production ServicesLook to metroConnections first for custom-concept development, talent selection, management and production expertise to set the stage for a successful conference opener or keynote address. Services include: Opening Productions Speaker Selection Talent Management & VIP Service Audio Visual Management / Video Editing Stage & Room Design / Lighting Audience Response Technology

Lounge AppealWhat is the Lounge Appeal? •Can you create a mood with intimate •seating and lighted cocktail tables?

Interactive/Team Building EventsHow can I use Wireless keypad •technology during my event?Can you customize Amazing Races, •Survivor Skills and game shows?

Customized Props and DisplaysWho creates your customized props?•Where are these props created?•

Productions and EntertainmentWhat percentage of productions occur •outside of Minnesota?What kinds of audio/visual services do •you provide to your customers?

S T O R Y I D E A S

Creative MemoriesNational Sales Convention

August 2006

Major MovesWhat major shuttle programs are in •the works for 2009?What was our largest move in •metroConnections’ history?

DMC Best Practices ChecklistWhat is a DMC and what are the •standard practices of a DMC?

Group Tours to Group AdventuresWhat are the alternatives to typical •convention catering scenarios?What are the ways that conferences are •engaging their attendees as a group?

Tours, Tours and more ToursWhat are your city tour offerings?•What is your most popular tour?•How can I customize a tour for a •special event or festival?

Going GreenDo you use biodiesel fuels?•

TRANSPORTATION & TOURSGround Transportation metroConnections presents ground transportation services in favorite destination across the U.S. for groups of all sizes. We travel with our clients for needs nationally and internationally. Whether it’s two people who need a ride to the airport or 10,000 who are going to the Convention Center, metroConnections can handle the logistics. Airport Meet Greet Shuttles Hotel Transfers Receptive Services Transportation Sponsorship Group Tours/Adventures

Public Tours Twin Cities Highlights Tour Stillwater Tour Holiday Lights Tour Minneapolis & Mississippi River

S T O R Y I D E A S

Twin Cities Highlights TourAward-winning; recognized by

the Minnesota Office of Tourism

ClientsmetroConnections helps to plan, manage and support a range of events for corporations, associations, convention organizers and tour parties. Our clients include leading global brands across industries as well as partner service companies, hotels and individual meeting planners. A few of our clients are listed on the right.

AffiliationsADME - Association of Destination Management ExecutivesASAE & The Center for Leadership ManagementISES - International Special Events SocietyMPI - Meeting Professionals InternationalPCMA - Professional Convention Management Association

Convention & Visitor BureausBloomington, MN (Destination Bloomington, MN)Chicago, IL (Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau)Minneapolis, MN (Meet Minneapolis Convention + Visitors Association)Orlando, FL (Orlando/Orange County Convention and Vistors Associaiton)Saint Paul, MN (Saint Paul Convention & Visitors Authority)

3M Andersen Corporation Alcoholics AnonymousAveda Best Buy Boston Scientific Cargill Creative Memories Department 56 Ecolab General Mills, Inc. Land O’Lakes Lawson Software Medtronic National Youth Leadership CouncilNCAA - Final Four (Basketball) Northwest Airlines St. Paul Travelers Sietar Target Corporation Tastefully Simple University of Minnesota Wells Fargo

T E A M P L A Y E R S

Target CorporationNational Sales Meeting

Summer 2005

National Youth Leadership Council National Learning-Service Conference

April 2008

www.metroconnections.com