If you are serving a beverage at the event, you need to submit the below information by the associated deadline in order to maximize your marketing and event experience.

Please click the header on each section below to access the form or document.

CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE

Please submit a copy of your business’s comprehensive insurance policy (COI). Required for all sponsors and exhibitors. Please email it to marketing@greenspring.com.

DUE: 3/14

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ALCOHOL SAMPLING AGREEMENT

If you are going to be sampling an alcoholic beverage or will be adding alcohol to your non-alcoholic product, you must agree to the alcohol sampling agreement and the amount of product that can be poured per serving.

DUE: 3/14

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ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES & DOCUMENTS THAT MAY APPLY TO YOU AS A BEVERAGE SPONSOR OR EXHIBITOR ARE LISTED BELOW:

SPECIAL EVENT FOOD PERMIT 

If you plan to use ice or a garnish in your beverage samples, or make coffee or tea on-site, then you must fill out this Special Food Permit form, and we will provide your information to the Minnesota Department of Health permitting office and they will contact you to secure the permit. We will pay for the application fee, so please focus only on getting the needed information to the state.

If you have a Seasonal Food Permit issued by the Minnesota Department of Health, please email it to Rick Krueger at rkrueger@greenspring.com.

The contact with the state that will be reaching out to you is: Jessica Davis | jessica.davis@state.mn.us | 651.201.3961

Ice Bucket: When serving a beverage with ice, you must provide your own ice serving bucket and ice scoop or tongs to serve with. The ice bin provided by the event team is not intended for ice to be served from, but rather to cool cans and bottles of product. The event will supply ice to all beverage vendors.

Required Hand-Washing Stations: You are required to have hand washing supplies if you are sampling food. They are also available for rental (subject to availability) via the Show Service Order Form. You are responsible for complying with all Minnesota State Health Department regulations of food items.

Please review the following Special Event Food information:

Special Event Food Stand Requirements | Special Event Food Stand Checklist

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MN REVENUE OPERATOR CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE FORM (ST-19)

If you are going to sell any prepackaged non-alcoholic beverage or food, or sell your brand swag (t-shirts, stickers, etc.) at the event, you must submit an ST-19 form. Please email it to marketing@greenspring.com.

DUE: 3/14

If you are serving a cannabis product at the event, you need to submit the below information by the associated deadline in order to maximize your marketing and event experience.

Please click the header on each section below to access the form or document.

CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE

Please submit a copy of your businesses comprehensive insurance policy (COI). Required for all sponsors and exhibitors. Please email it to marketing@greenspring.com.

DUE: 3/14

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CANNABIS SAMPLING AGREEMENT

If you are going to be sampling a cannabis product, you must agree to the cannabis sampling agreement and the amount of product that can be served per serving.

DUE: 3/14

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CANNABIS DISPLAY AGREEMENT 

Please supply your MN Department of Health registration number and agree to the display rules for cannabis products.

DUE: 3/14

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ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES & DOCUMENTS THAT MAY APPLY TO YOU AS A BEVERAGE SPONSOR OR EXHIBITOR ARE LISTED BELOW:

MN REVENUE OPERATOR CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE FORM (ST-19)

If you are going to sell any prepackaged non-alcoholic beverage or food, or sell your brand swag (t-shirts, stickers, etc.) at the event, you must submit an ST-19 form. Please email it to marketing@greenspring.com.

DUE: 3/14

If you are serving a food sample at the event, you need to submit the below information by the associated deadline in order to maximize your marketing and event experience.

Please click the header on each section below to access the form or document.

SPECIAL EVENT FOOD PERMIT — CLICK HERE

If you plan to use ice or a garnish in your beverage samples, coffee or tea on-site, or sample food, then you must fill out this Special Food Permit form, and we will provide your information to the Minnesota Department of Health permitting office and they will contact you to secure the permit. We will pay for the application fee, so please focus only on getting the needed information to the state.

DUE: 2/7

If you have a Seasonal Food Permit issued by the Minnesota Department of Health, please email it to Rick Krueger at rkrueger@greenspring.com.

The contact with the state that will be reaching out to you is: Jessica Davis | jessica.davis@state.mn.us | 651.201.3961

Required Hand-Washing Stations: You are REQUIRED to have hand washing supplies if you are sampling food. They are also available for rental (subject to availability) via the Show Service Order Form. You are responsible for complying with all Minnesota State Health Department regulations of food items.

Please review the following Special Event Food information:

Special Event Food Stand Requirements | Special Event Food Stand Checklist

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CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE 

Please submit a copy of your businesses comprehensive insurance policy (COI). Required for all sponsors and exhibitors. Please email it to marketing@greenspring.com.

DUE: 3/14

___

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES & DOCUMENTS THAT MAY APPLY TO YOU AS A FOOD SPONSOR OR EXHIBITOR ARE LISTED BELOW:

MN REVENUE OPERATOR CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE FORM (ST-19)

If you are going to sell any prepackaged non-alcoholic beverage or food, or sell your brand swag (t-shirts, stickers, etc.) at the event, you must submit an ST-19 form. Please email it to marketing@greenspring.com.

DUE: 3/14

If you are a retail or services sponsor or exhibitor at the event, you need to submit the below information by the associated deadline in order to maxamize your marketing and event experience.

Please click the header on each section below to access the form or document.

CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE 

Please submit a copy of your businesses comprehensive insurance policy (COI). Required for all sponsors and exhibitors. Please email it to marketing@greenspring.com.

DUE: 3/14

___

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES & DOCUMENTS THAT MAY APPLY TO YOU AS A RETAIL / SERVICES SPONSOR OR EXHIBITOR ARE LISTED BELOW:

MN REVENUE OPERATOR CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE FORM (ST-19)

If you are going to sell your brand swag (t-shirts, stickers, etc.) at the event. You must submit an ST-19 form. Please email it to marketing@greenspring.com.

DUE: 3/14

VENUE LOCATION:

Omni Viking Lakes Hotel is located at the new Viking Lakes sports and recreation development in Eagan, MN. The physical address is Omni Viking Lakes Hotel | 2611 Nordic Way, Eagan, MN 55121.

Load-in and Load-out will be done at the Hotel Loading Dock (see map below). Please follow the posted directional signage when you arrive.

TIMES:

LOAD-IN: 

Thursday, March 20 | 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Friday, March 21 | 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 22 | 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.

LOAD-OUT:

Sunday, March 23 | 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

EXHIBITOR CHECK-IN:

When you arrive at the venue for load-in, you will park along the street by the Hotel Loading Dock. Please follow the posted signs as they will bring you into the Hotel back of house where you will check-in with event staff. You will collect your Exhibitor Staff Badges and you will be directed to your location on the event floor. At this time you may also collect any Show Service items you may have rented/purchased. Please have your space ready on Saturday, March 22 by 12 p.m.

EXPECTATIONS: 

• You must bring your own dolly/cart for moving your materials to your location.
• All staff must be 21+.
• No children or pets are allowed during load-in/out.
• Please park in the location marked on the map below for load-in/out only.

To order Show Service Items (hand washing stations, electrical power, chairs, wastebaskets, extra exhibitor badges), you can do so through the Show Services Request Form (select ‘Food & Wine Experience’). Orders must be submitted by: 3/15

EXHIBITOR STAFF BADGE POLICY:

Quantity: If you have purchased one standard exhibitor table space, you will receive TWO exhibitor badges. For other exhibitors/sponsors, the number of badges due will be noted on your contract.

Additional Badges: Additional exhibitor badges can be ordered in advance for $50 each (50% discount) through the Show Services Request Form. Personnel may also purchase additional badges on site. Orders must be submitted by: 3/15

Where to pick up your badges: EXHIBITOR BADGES WILL BE PROVIDED DURING LOAD-IN at the Exhibitor Check-In Table. Please review the Load-In and Load-Out tab above.

Badge Guidelines: You will only be provided your badges during your load-in. If a staff member is splitting a shift with someone, it is their responsibility to make arrangements to transfer their badge to that person. You may return your badge at the end of the day, at the Exhibitor Check-In Table so that it can be provided to the staff next day. Badges lost or stolen will NOT be replaced. Badges must be displayed at all times inside the event, and will be checked. These badges are intended for staff personnel only. Exhibitors distributing their badge to others will have their badge confiscated.

STAFFING AND AGES:

Exhibit areas must be staffed during show hours. All of your employees working the show during show hours must be at least 21 years of age. Have photo ID easily accessible.

REMINDER: Anyone 21 and under are prohibited from the show floor at ALL times during the event and during move-in and move-out hours.

YOUR EXHIBIT SPACE:

Your exhibit fee only includes a linen-covered table and items explicitly listed on your contract. There is no pipe/drape.

Please review your contract and media kit to determine the size of your space. If you are not a sponsor, your space will be 8’×8′.

Ice, ice tub for chilling bottles/cans, water pitchers, and refuse buckets will be provided to exhibitors sampling alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Water and ice will be replenished throughout the show as needed. We are supplying all attendees with sampling glasses at the door. You are responsible for providing your own serving utensils, bottle openers, corkscrews, bar rags, product and personnel. If you want to serve your beverages in cups other than the provided glass (e.g. if pre-mixing cocktails), you must provide your own sampling cups. Remember to review any Minnesota Deaprtment of Health requirements if you are securing a temporary food permit.

Restaurant partners are responsible for any cooking equipment, barware, plates, glasses, napkins, etc. You must provide any supplies needed to sample/serve your product. No open flames are allowed, no grills are allowed, no oil fryers are allowed in the venue. Remember to review any Minnesota Department of Health requirements if you are securing a temporary food permit.

HANDWASHING STATION: You may rent a handwashing station on the Show Service Order Form. Orders must be submitted by: 3/15

ELECTRICITY: If you need access to electricity, you must purchase it on the Show Service Order Form. Max power available is 120 volt/20 amp max. Orders must be submitted by: 3/15

EXHIBITOR DISPLAYS & GUIDELINES: 

Exhibit Display Restrictions: Please be sensitive of your neighbors when setting up your display table. Show Management reserves the right to adjust your area if you are obstructing your neighbor or isle way.

Tents: NO tents are allowed. There can be no blockage between the ceiling sprinklers and your booth area.

Signage / Decorations: All signage materials must look professional and be contained within the realm of your space/table. Decorations may NOT be taped, nailed, tacked, stapled or otherwise fastened to ceilings, doors, floors, walls, glass, columns, painted surfaces, fabric or decorative walls. Pressure-adhesive sticker/decals, gum or similar promotional items cannot be distributed or sold within the event. Decorations must be fireproof, and have proper documentation.

Literature and Noise Restrictions: Interviews, demonstrations, and distribution of literature must be done within the exhibitor’s space. You may not “work the aisles.” Amplified systems, loud music, or other noise which interferes with other exhibitors is prohibited.

Other: Helium balloons and stickers are NOT allowed and they may not be sold, given or distributed within the facility.

GARBAGE & EXCESS PRODUCT:

At the end of your set-up, and at the end of each event day, please place any excess trash neatly in front of your space and the venue staff will remove it.

GIVEAWAYS & DRAWINGS:

You may have an entry box/container in your space for giveaways and drawings. A second entry box/container and entry forms must be placed on an alternate entry table located at the main attendee entrance to the event prior to the start. If the giveaway involves drawings throughout show hours, you are responsible for checking the second entry box for entries prior to conducting any scheduled winner drawings. It is your responsibility to remove the additional entry box from the lobby upon close of the show on Sunday.

Entry boxes must clearly state the rules of your giveaway. If entries will be used to generate contact lists, or if entrants will be contacted or solicited in any way, the entry blank must bear a disclaimer or provide a box for entrants to ‘opt out’ from future communication. Drawings valued over $1,500 must obtain a City license. If your business is a non-profit, you have the option of applying for an exempt permit from the City of Eagan. For more information please contact the Minnesota State Public Safety Gambling Enforcement Agency.

**Remember, alcohol CANNOT be carried out of the event by attendees. It is illegal to give away bottles of alcohol on site!

DELIVERIES: 

No early deliveries to the venue are allowed. If you have questions, please contact Rick Krueger | rkrueger@greenspring.com.

Please submit the list of wines that you will be sampling at the Food & Wine Experience on Saturday & Sunday. These will be featured in the Event Program in Minnesota Monthly‘s March/April 2025 issue, AND in the printed Tasting Notes handed out to each guest at the event. 

FOOD & WINE EXPERIENCE EVENT PROGRAM AND TASTING NOTES SUBMISSION — CLICK HERE

Submission deadline for Minnesota Monthly Event Program: 1/31

Submission deadline for onsite Tasting Notes: 2/14

GRAND VINE EXHIBITORS:

There is a separate Event Program and Tasting Notes submission form for Grand Vine. Go to the Grand Vine Sponsor & Exhibitor Portal linked at the top of this page.

As an exhibitor in Minnesota Monthly‘s Food & Wine Experience, you are eligible to participate in our Best of Show and Best Value Wine Competitions.

BEST OF | BEST VALUE WINES SUBMISSION FORM — CLICK HERE

Submission deadline: 2/18

Product delivery deadline: 2/25   (shipping details below)

One Best of Show entry will be selected in each of the following categories and recognized in the Food & Wine Experience onsite Tasting Notes. You are not limited to the amount of wines you submit into each catagory.

• Sparkling
• Sauvignon Blanc
• Pinot Grigio
• Chardonnay
• Fruity
• Imported White
• Cool Climate White (MN or WI)
• Pinot Noir
• Bordeaux Varietal (Cab/Merlot/Malbec/Meritage Style)
• Imported Red
• Cool Climate Red (MN or WI)
• Rose
• Rhone Ranger
• Red Blend

In addition, one Best Value wine will be selected in each of the above categories. Best Value wine entries must retail for $20 and under.

Shipping Information

Details on shipping & delivery are also outlined in the Best Of | Best Value Wines Submission Form linked above.

• Quantity: Please ship 2 BOTTLES OF EACH WINE, minimum. To prevent a wine from being eliminated because it was “corked”, we recommend that you send two bottles of each entry.

• Labeling: Best of Show and Best Value entries MUST be shipped in separate boxes clearly labeled “Best of Show Wine” or “Best Value Wine”. Wines must be shipped separately and clearly identified with appropriate label and must arrive by the delivery deadline.

Product delivery deadline: 2/25

Address:

Food & Wine Experience – Wine Competition
ATTN: Beth Wulf
Greenspring Media
9401 James Avenue S, Suite 152
Bloomington, MN 55431

Please affix the appropriate label to the outside of the package and circle which competition it is being entered into:

• Best Of: Best Value Shipping Label

Congratulations on being a part of Minnesota Monthly’s 30th Food & Wine Exeprience! We’re so excited to have you joining us for our milestone year.

We want to make sure that your loyal base of fans & followers know that you’ll be joining us for this event, so we’ve created the following toolkit to help you promote your partnership with us on your social media platforms.

Graphics & Logos

The following assets can be downloaded and overlaid on top of your images and logo:

Food & Wine Footer

Event Site QR Code

Food & Wine Layover Label

 Examples:

Instagram Squares & Graphics:

Food & Wine (with space for logo placement)

Food & Wine 2

Drag Show Brunch

Grand Vine Tasting

Social Media Tags

Minnesota Monthly

Facebook: Minnesota Monthly  |  Facebook Event Site

Instagram: @MNMOmag

X: @MNMOmag

Presenting Sponsor (J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines)

Facebook: J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines

Instagram: @JLohrWines

X: @JLohrWines

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Join us at Minnesota Monthly’s 30th Annual Food & Wine Experience, presented by J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines! We’ll be there (pouring, sampling, etc.) and can’t wait to see you! Grab your tickets and stop by to see us. FoodWineExperience.com

Don’t miss Minnesota Monthly’s 30th Food & Wine Experience, presented by J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, taking place March 21st through 23rd. We’ll be there all weekend serving up (what you’ll be serving). Get your tickets today! FoodWineExperience.com