Transforming Spaces, Building Memories
Welcome to the McNamara Alumni Center, a premier conference and event center located on the University of Minnesota Minneapolis campus. Our stunning venue, inspired by the Minnesota landscape of wood, water, and copper, is a popular choice for meetings, conferences, galas, holiday parties, and wedding receptions. With over 400 university events hosted each year, our experienced team is committed to providing the highest level of service and professionalism for your event.
University Events
As the premier event venue on the University of Minnesota Minneapolis campus, the McNamara Alumni Center hosts over 400 university events each year, including graduations, faculty trainings, poster sessions, and alumni gatherings. Our team understands the unique needs of university events, and our flexible and convenient spaces can accommodate events of all sizes.
Conferences
Memorial Hall, our largest room, is an ideal space for conferences, keynote addresses, and large meetings. With a built-in stage, AV capabilities, and virtual streaming capabilities, this room can accommodate up to 400 guests. Our experienced onsite technicians are available to ensure your conference runs smoothly and efficiently.
Weddings
The McNamara Alumni Center has been recognized as one of the Top 50 Places to Get Married in the U.S. by Brides magazine, and for good reason. With several stunning spaces available, our venue has something for every couple. Memorial Hall can accommodate weddings of up to 400 guests, while University Hall offers an intimate setting for up to 150 people. Our experienced team is here to help you plan every detail of your special day.
Galas
Memorial Hall is the perfect space for fundraising galas or large holiday parties. The room's built-in stage, AV capabilities, and virtual streaming capabilities make it a great space for keynote addresses and presentations. With adjacent rooms for check-in and silent auctions, Memorial Hall can accommodate up to 400 guests.
Benefits of Choosing Us
When you choose the McNamara Alumni Center for your event, you'll enjoy several benefits that set us apart, including:
- Award-winning D'Amico Catering
- 10 unique rooms all on the first floor
- Onsite adjacent 500-car parking ramp
- Graduate Minneapolis Hotel connected by tunnel
- Superior built-in AV with onsite technicians
- 5-star service by our team
- Conveniently located off Interstates 35W and 94
Why Clients Love Us
Our clients rave about their experiences at the McNamara Alumni Center. From our professional and helpful staff to our stunning event spaces, we strive to make your event memorable and stress-free.
"This is the 4th time we have held our event at McNamara. Each time the staff and catering have done a tremendous job contributing to the success of our workshop. Each and every staff member was as professional and helpful as they could possibly be. Our participants come from all over the country, representing 17 different Universities, and they all commented that we definitely want to hold our future event at McNamara." -Bob M., Diversifying CNS program
"McNamara was one of the best wedding decisions we made! It was an absolute dream venue! If you're looking to impress your guests, THIS is the venue! Every single aspect was handled smoothly and professionally from start to finish! I didn't worry about a single thing the days leading up to or the day of our wedding. And the food-Wow! My husband and I just cannot say enough about every person we worked with and the venue itself! I would get married here 1000x's over!"- Allie M., Bride
Rooms and Spaces
The McNamara Alumni Center offers several unique rooms and spaces for events of all sizes, including:
- Memorial Hall
- Johnson Great Room
- University Hall
- Thomas H. Swain Room
- Ski-U-Mah Room
- Heritage Gallery
- The Commons
Architecture and Design
The McNamara Center is a unique and beautiful space on campus. It features large windows, vanishing pools, and a striking design that accentuates its open space. The Memorial Hall is the largest room and is designed to reflect certain Minnesotan lakes, while the Johnson Great Room is smaller but has a cozy fireplace. The center is a great place to stop for lunch, and the D'Amico cafe is located in a back corner.
Events and Celebrations
The McNamara Center has hosted several events, including proms, weddings, and other celebrations. Reviewers have praised the center's ability to be decorated beautifully for events, with wonderful lighting and intimate spaces. The food and snacks served during these events have also been praised as delicious.
Service and Staff
The staff at the McNamara Center have been consistently praised for their positivity, energy, and helpfulness. Reviewers have appreciated the promptness, follow-up, and dedication of the staff in planning and executing events at the center.
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