Located on the shore of Lake Bemidji in Bemidji, Minnesota, the George W. Neilson Convention Center consists of a 10,000 square foot ballroom that can be split into multiple rooms based on the needs of the event. The convention center also expands to the 30,000 square foot arena floor at the adjacent Sanford Center. The venue hosts a variety of events including live performances, expos, meetings, banquets, and conferences.
- Rotary
- Banquets
- Valentines Day Dinner
- Weddings
- Corporate Meetings
- Tradeshows
- Receptions
- Governor’s Deer Opener
- Baladino
Bemidji, Minnesota 56601
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
(218) 441-4000
MARKET INFORMATION
| TOTAL POPULATION | 45,236 |
|---|---|
| MEDIAN AGE | 33.4 |
| UNDER 5 YEARS | 7.52% |
| 5-14 YEARS | 13.52% |
| 15-24 YEARS | 18.66% |
| 25-34 YEARS | 12.15% |
| 35-44 YEARS | 10.08% |
| 45-54 YEARS | 12.18% |
| 55-64 YEARS | 12.27% |
| 65-74 YEARS | 7.49% |
| OVER 74 YEARS | 6.10% |
TELEVISION
LOCAL BROADCAST:PBS – KAWE
CBS – KCCW / WCCO
ABC – KSAX / KSTP
NBC – KARE / KVLY
FOX – KMSP
CW – WUCW
CABLE PROVIDERS:
PAUL BUNYAN BROADCASTING
MIDCONTINENT COMMUNICATIONS
RADIO
PAUL BUNYAN BROADCASTING:KBHP – 101.1 FM – CONTINUOUS COUNTRY – TOP 40 COUNTRY (18+ DEMOGRAPHIC)
KBUN – 1450 AM – SPORTS RADIO – ALL SPORTS TALK RADIO (TWINS, VIKINGS)
KKZY – 95.5 FM – VARIETY RADIO – ADULT CONTEMPORARY / SOFT ROCK
KLLZ – 99.1 FM – CLASSIC ROCK – 35+ DEMOGRAPHIC, ONLY ROCK STATION IN TOWN
WQXJ – 104.5 FM – TRUE OLDIES CHANNEL – OLDIES MUSIC & TWINS BROADCASTS
RP BROADCASTING:
WBJI – 98.3 FM – REAL COUNTRY – OLD & NEW COUNTRY
KKBJ – 103.7 FM – MIX 103.7 – TOP POP STATION, 90’S HITS THROUGH TODAY
KKBJ – 1360 AM – TALK RADIO WITH RUSH LIMBAUGH, GLENN BECK, SEAN HANNITY
WMIS – 92.1 FM – THE RIVER 92.1 – HEAVY ROCK / CURRENT ROCK
MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO:
KNOW – 91.1 FM – MPR NEWS
KCRB – 88.1 FM – MPR CLASSICAL
NORTHERN COUNTRY:
KAXE – 90.1 FM – ALTERATIVE, WORLD, NEWS, JAZZ, LIGHT ROCK
PINE TO PRAIRIE BROADCASTING:
KKCQ – 91.9 FM – YOUR QFM – CHRISTIAN CONTEMPORARY
- Sanford Center Outdoor Marquee – Need JPEG for still slide in 192 Wide x 160 High pixels
- Sanford Center Website – includes Marquee Slider image & Event Slider image 900 Wide x 300 pixels High
- Internal Billboard: 35” wide x 49” high
- Main Scoreboard: place adds duringall hockey games and other events when scoreboard is in-use 900 wide x 600 sound
- Internal TV Network: used during events when concourse is in-use 1065 wide x 506 long
- UPS for trade in tickets for: Posters (100 to be distributed by Big North / 50 for Coke), flyers x 3.5”W x 5”H banner measuring: 8’ x 3’ for display at Chamber of Commerce
- Arrow Printing for trade in tickets for: Posters, Flyers, Banners
- Text Club: Presale Announcement / on-Sale / Week of event
- Public Service Announcements to media databass: Over 221 media and local contacts in the area once as we announce the event.
- Partner with Luekens Village Foods North & South (Posters, flyers, inside marquee & outside marquee)
- Partner with all local business for grassroots marketing and sponsorships based on event
MAJOR EMPLOYERS
Major EmployersSanford Health – 1,484
Bemidji Public Schools – 830
Bemidji State University – 600
Betrami County – 295
Anderson Fabrics – 270
BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY
Total number of students: 6,349Work directly with ‘CAB’ Campus Activities Board to promote concerts
Banner/Poster on campus
Campus Radio Station
Campus Newspaper
Email blasts to all students
| TICKETED EVENTS | CAPACITY |
|---|---|
| TOTAL SEATING | 5,837 |
| HOCKEY CAPACITY | 4,837 |
| FULL HOUSE CONCERT | 4,793 |
| 1/2 HOUSE CONCERT | 3,054 |
| CONFERENCE CENTER | SQ. FT |
| BALLROOM | 10,000 |
| MEETING ROOMS | 4,000 |
| ARENA FLOOR | 30,000 |
| CONCOURSE | 14,000 |
| TICKETING SYSTEM | TICKETMASTER |
| TAX RATE | 7.875% |
| TICKET BUYER DATABASE | 200,000+ |
| CITY | DISTANCE |
|---|---|
| FARGO, ND | 100 MILES |
| GRAND FORKS, ND | 106 MILES |
| DULUTH, MN | 150 MILES |
| MINNEAPOLIS, MN | 188 MILES |
| BROOKINGS, SD | 319 MILES |
