As we gear up for the CONvergence 2019: The Next Celebration, many of us are also trying to envision what it will be like to attend the convention we know and love so much in a new-to-us space: the Hyatt Regency in downtown Minneapolis.
What can we expect in this space? Will all the things we love about CONvergence be the same? Will they be better? What will be different?
There is a reason CONvergence’s 2019 theme is all about the reboot. CONvergence is still happening with all the CONvergence things that make CONvergence unique and special, but in a new space that better accommodates our membership, with public transit options, downtown restaurants and food trucks, and more exhibition and programming space than ever in the convention’s 20-year history.
Here is an overview of CONvergence’s new home to help you get hyped up for the convention at the Hyatt Regency!
Overlooking the Hyatt Regency fireplace lobby lounge. Photo courtesy Anime Detour
About The Hyatt
The Hyatt Regency sits at the gateway to downtown Minneapolis, backed by Loring Park, the Minneapolis Convention Center, and the Nicollet Avenue “Eat Street” corridor. The hotel sits on a high-frequency, no-fare downtown bus route that connects to nearly every other bus line in the city, and is a short walk from some of the city’s grandest sights and features. Plus, the Hyatt Regency is part of the extensive Minneapolis Skyway system, providing members a safe, relatively seamless, elevated pedestrian experience spanning downtown Minneapolis that’s complete with restaurants, shops, and ample photography opportunities.
The Inside Scoop
As our new CONvergence host hotel, the Hyatt Regency’s first six floors hold the convention’s primary programming space. Guest rooms begin on floor three and continue all the way up. Even though they are not pool-side cabanas, room parties will still be in full swing on floors three, four, and five in larger rooms, and roaming Mobile Parties will be popping up throughout the hotel. ConSuite’s new space is well-suited to the task of keeping 6,000 members supplied with a steady flow of snacks; it is located in a former restaurant! And the Dealers Room will be bigger than ever, encompassing an entire exposition hall on the first floor.
The skyways offer countless opportunities for cosplay photography. Photo courtesy Anime Detour
The Hyatt Regency is connected by Skyway to the Millennium Minneapolis hotel, and from there, to the rest of downtown Minneapolis. More than nine miles of Skyways connect 80 city blocks and 140 restaurants and cafes above the streets, and offer incredible bird’s-eye views of the city. Plan your trip around the Skyways, and prepare for amazing photo opportunities! They also mean you don’t need to worry about the weather or the heat to grab a bite to eat, run an errand, or just escape the convention for a little while to go for a walk.
Like any new house or apartment, we’ll have to rearrange our furniture (and programming and traffic flow) to fit our new CONvergence space. But be prepared for new and improved vantage points, overlooks, photo ops, party rooms, and amenities galore.
But How Big IS It?
One of the most significant benefits CONvergence members will see is the vast amount of programming space at CONvergence 2019—the Hyatt Regency has 50% more programming space than former CONvergence host hotels, offering over 100,000 square feet of programming options. This means more room for concerts, panels, performances, dances, exhibitions, gaming, activities, and relaxing. Have a look at the maps and watch the video overview below to get a feel for it!
Hotel Room Availability
When you bought your 2019 CONvergence membership, you may have noticed there was no hotel room lottery option. That’s because the Hyatt Regency and its neighboring hotel, Millennium Minneapolis, have 116 more sleeping rooms than the former CONvergence host hotels. The Minneapolis Skyway system also connects to three additional CONvergence hotels, Hilton Minneapolis, Crowne Plaza Minneapolis Northstar, and Holiday Inn Express & Suites. And there are even more hotels within a short walk (or e-scooter ride) from the Hyatt. Check out hotel availability and CONvergence room rates on the Hotel Rooms page.
Worried about getting lost in the Skyways, or schlepping long distances with bulky costumes? Free CONvergence shuttles will also be available during the convention to bring members from offsite hotels to the Hyatt Regency for the duration of the convention.
Geek Homecoming
The Hyatt Regency has warmly welcomed CONvergence and our members to its programming and guest space. Hotel staff are no stranger to Twin Cities geeks — the Hyatt also hosts local conventions Anime Detour, 2D Con, and Furry Migration conventions. So CONvergence members should expect a staff who is not a stranger to geek culture or the convention scene. The Hyatt Regency is now the premiere convention hotel for the Twin Cities.
CONvergence MainStage is front and center at the Hyatt, making your favorite activities easily accessible. Photo courtesy Anime Detour
Prepare to experience living history as an attending member of the 21st CONvergence in a new hotel and one we hope to call home for many years to come. We’re excited to celebrate with you as we reboot CONvergence on July 4-7, 2019 at our new home in Downtown Minneapolis.
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