Minneapolitans looking to engage more deeply with their community and city governance can mark their calendars for the 2025 Community Connections Conference, set for February 8. The City of Minneapolis announced that the theme for this year's free conference is "Participation is Power: Speak, Act, Grow," and residents can register early starting December 23, as per a recent release.
Held at the Minneapolis Convention Center, the conference will operate from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering more than 100 exhibits from the City of Minneapolis, public institutions, and community groups; further enriching the event will be workshops, performances from local artists, and a scavenger hunt conceived to foster an engaging atmosphere. Organizers encourage participants to "Speak" by voicing opinions on pivotal projects, "Act" through civic engagement such as voting and joining local boards, and "Grow" by building skills for community improvement.
The conference is specifically reaching out to those traditionally underrepresented in local governance, aiming to facilitate connections with City departments and leaders, celebrate shared achievements, and uncover new avenues for engagement and skill acquisition.
Aside from attending, locals have the opportunity to volunteer or exhibit, with the City seeking to amplify voices through volunteer efforts and interactive, educational exhibits that cater to both children and adults - applications for exhibit space will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on January 12 or until capacity is reached. Nonprofits and public institutions are invited to take advantage of free exhibit space, a gesture reinforcing the event's community-centric ethos.
