Hilton MSP Airport

Overview:

From DJ Mike H:

There are two main ballrooms at the Hilton Airport. The most common (and largest one) is upstairs, meaning you'll have to move your equipment upstairs. You can either load-in through the loading dock or the front door, I talked to Cyndi at the venue on 3/3/16 and she told me both will work. 

The upstairs ballroom has an atrium outside the ballroom, like many hotels do. This is where many cocktail hours occur. Call ahead to let them know you'd like to plug an iPod or laptop into their system to play music through their speakers over the atrium. Let them know you'd like to use their microphone at the atrium as well. Cyndi said it's very helpful to know if the DJ needs their house microphone or not, and out in the atrium, you'll want to use it. That way, you can set up all your equipment in the ballroom and don't have to worry about having any equipment set up in the atrium. 

Once your in the main ballroom, it's smooth sailing. A big rectangle room, no surprises, I'd imagine using your microphone for speeches would work just fine, but if it's a big wedding, ask ahead if you could be able to use theirs. The main ballroom upstairs has 4 sections and when all four sections are opened up, it's absolutely huge. You probably won't have all 4 sections open, but who knows? Ask. :) Also the ceilings are 23 feet high, pretty tall.

There is another smaller ballroom which is downstairs and to the sides. This ballroom holds about 100-120 people max, but isn't uncommon for weddings. In fact, I've had a wedding in this ballroom, but not upstairs. This ballroom is an easy load-in, there's a door right by the ballroom and you can load your equipment in right through the door. It's an easy ballroom to work in, but again, there's an atrium outside the ballroom where many cocktail hours will occur. Call ahead and let them know you need to use their sound system in order to plug in an iPod/laptop and use the microphone at the atrium.

Cyndi said her biggest pet peeve is DJs who are timid or can't take charge. Of course, the amount of interaction the DJ shows is really up to the client, but we should always be assertive and take charge to move the wedding along to its intended schedule.

Load-In:

Either through the loading dock or front door. Side door if you are in the smaller ballroom.

Special Considerations:

Cyndi and I had a very good talk when I visited the venue in March. After we visited, she added us to her preferred vendor list. If you're going out to this venue, it's because I trust you will be an excellent ambassador to our company and will do an excellent job. Have fun and make the staff's lives as easy as possible! 

Special Venue Call Questions:

Which ballroom is the reception in?

Where is the cocktail hour?

Can I plug my iPod/laptop into your system during cocktail hour at the atrium?

Can I use your house microphone at the atrium?

How many sections of the ballroom will be used?

Website:

http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/minnesota/hilton-minneapolis-st-paul-airport-mall-of-america-MSPAHHF/event/weddings.html

The Knot:

https://www.theknot.com/marketplace/hilton-minneapolisst-paul-airport-mall-of-america-bloomington-mn-889533

Directions From Warehouse