Click here for the final conference agenda!

Wednesday, July 24

10am - Registration opens at The Park Event Center

11:30am - Lunch buffet opens at The Park Event Center

12pm - Conference begins with remarks from CGMC President Rick Schultz and CGMC Executive Director Bradley Peterson

12:05pm - Keynote presentation from MnDOT Transportation Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger

1:00pm - Presentation from Dylan Ferguson, Executive Director of the Minnesota Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board

2:00pm - 2024 legislative session review with CGMC Executive Director Bradley Peterson

3:00pm - Break for hotel check-in

4:00pm - Buses load at The Park Event Center for evening activities

4:30pm - Dinner at Rolling Ridge in St. Joseph

6:30pm - Arrive at The Ledge Amphitheater in Waite Park for VIP seats at Legends of Country: Tributes to Garth Brooks and Johnny Cash. 

10:30pm - Buses depart from The Ledge to return to The Park Event Center. Buses will also stop at Ultimate Sports Bar and Grill just across the street from the event center so attendees can join the concert afterparty!

Thursday, July 25

7:00am - Vendor check-in opens at The Park Event Center lobby

7:30am - Breakfast with the Mayors! Attendees are invited to join St. Joseph Mayor Rick Schultz at Kay's Kitchen or Waite Park Mayor Rick Miller at the Park Diner. 

8:30am - Exhibit hall opens for Exhibitor Break #1

9:00am - Presentation from Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon

9:45am - Exhibitor break #2, snack provided in exhibit hall

10:15am - Presentation: Prevailing Wage in Greater Minnesota

11:00am - Exhibitor break #3, lunch service begins in exhibit hall

11:30am - Legislative Housing Panel 

12:30pm - Exhibitor break #4

1:30pm - Buses load for tours

1:45pm - Exhibit hall closes, vendor booth teardown begins

4:30pm - Tour groups return to The Park

5:30pm - Legislative Awards Dinner Cocktail Reception begins at The Park Event Center

6:30pm - Legislative Awards Dinner begins

Thursday night - Shuttles provided to late-night happy hour spots in St. Joseph

Friday, July 26

8:00am - Breakfast

8:30am - Labor and employment update from Flaherty & Hood attorney Brandon Fitzsimmons

9:30am - Interactive Discussion

10:15am - Break and snack

10:30am - CGMC membership meeting

11:30am - Conference adjourns

The deadline to book a room within the CGMC room blocks has passed. However, there may be still rooms available at the Hilton Garden Inn or the Residence Inn, both of which are attached to The Park Event Center. Visit the hotel websites below for booking information.

Hilton Garden Inn

Residence Inn

At every CGMC Summer Conference, attendees have the opportunity to tour the host communities. Tours will take place on Thursday afternoon this year. During registration, you will be asked to select your first and second tour preference from the options listed below:

Tour option #1: From Abandoned Railroad Corridor to a Trail Ride

For the recreation enthusiasts: hop on a bike and see how the communities of Waite Park and St. Joseph have taken outdoor fitness to the next level. Attendees will be provided with a bike rental* and ride to the Lake Wobegon Trail, located just a few blocks away from the conference center. The Lake Wobegon Trail follows an abandoned railroad corridor and extends 65 miles from Waite Park through St. Joseph and all the way to Sauk Centre. Tour attendees will also see how Waite Park has added outdoor exercise equipment throughout the trail and created the state’s first-of-its kind outdoor gym in River's Edge Park. Attendees will have the option to continue their ride for three miles to see how the trail has impacted development in St. Joseph, or stay in Waite Park and check out the additional recreational amenities River's Edge Park has to offer - including pickle ball, frisbee golf, and the splashpad.

*There are a limited number of bikes available for this tour. If you would prefer to bring your own bike, or if you would prefer to walk the trail, please indicate that in tour selection. If there are not enough rental bikes available, some will be given their second choice of tour.

Tour option #2: Historic Downtown St. Joseph

Discover the appeal of St. Joseph's downtown district, which offers a variety of attractions to explore. The area's mixed-use buildings, art galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and streetscape make it a popular destination for visitors. The 2018 Comprehensive Plan, adopted by the St. Joseph City Council in September 2018, emphasizes the importance of the core downtown, ensuring its continued growth in the years to come. Take a tour of this essential part of the city and learn about all it has to offer, including its rich history and proximity to the College of St. Benedict and Saint John's University. Following the guided tour, attendees will have time to shop, grab a cup of coffee or a cocktail, or sit down for a bite to eat.

Tour option #3: All About the Granite

Central Minnesota is known for its rich granite reserves, and Waite Park is home to two quarries operated by Martin Marietta, a leading American granite supplier. Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the quarries from the bottom of the granite pits to the top of the observatory, which boasts breathtaking views. You'll also see the quarry operation first hand and learn about the quarries' rich history, including as the location for the 2008 Merce Cunningham Dance Company performance of "Ocean" on a specially-constructed stage located 150 feet below ground level.

Activities on your own

Attendees that do not choose to participate in any of the above tours are welcome to participate independently other activities, including golf or a visit to the Quarry Park and Nature Preserve. Please note that attendees will be responsible for their own transportation.

Golf at Angushire Golf Club (224 Waite Avenue South, St. Cloud, MN 56301)

Hidden from the hustle and bustle of St. Cloud, Angushire Golf Club is a well-manicured, 9-hole, par 345 course with well-groomed greens that will please all golfers. Don't miss the unique golfing experience with tree-lined fairways and ponds that come into play on six holes.

The CGMC will reserve tee times on Thursday afternoon. Please select the "golf" option during registration to ensure that there is a space reserved for you.

Visit the Quarry Park & Nature Preserve (1802 County Road 137, Waite Park, MN 56387)

The Quarry Park & Nature Preserve is a 684-acre park that was once home to 20 granite mining quarries. Quarry Park is best known for its swimming holes and cliff-jumping and has been recognized by the Travel Channel as one of the top 10 swimming holes in the United States. Quarry 11 features a sandy beach at one end and shorter jumping cliffs great for kids and families. Quarry 2 includes rocky high cliffs and great areas for lounging with friends. Not into swimming? Nature lovers can check out the plant life, which includes everything from oaks and aspens to yellow lady slippers, Indian paintbrush, and prickly pear cactus. There are quarries for fishing, scuba diving, and rock climbing. There are also miles of hiking trails, most of which are covered with gravel to make for easy walking.

Park passes will be available for anyone interested in checking out the park. Please reach out to Emma Nelson at ennelson@flaherty-hood.com if you would like a park pass to be provided to you!

Businesses or organizations interested in exhibiting at the CGMC Summer Conference or sponsoring the conference should visit our 2024 exhibitor web page for more information. 

Click here for a directory of exhibitors registered for the 2024 Summer Conference.