For a hassle-free meeting, try Minneapolis.

Walking from building to building in most cities can be a hassle - crossing traffic-clogged streets during rush hour, circumventing sidewalks closed for construction, avoiding puddles and sidewalk vents, or braving the often unforgiving elements.

Not so in Minneapolis.

The Skyway System, the first of its kind in any major city in the world, is a network of more than five miles of second-story, climate-controlled pedestrian passageways. Even in chilly weather, your members can check into their hotels, grab a bite to eat, attend their meetings in the convention center, take in a basketball game at the Target Center, and do some shopping - all without putting on their coats.

Easy Access

Getting to a meeting in Minneapolis is a cinch. The Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport, which recently expanded its shopping and restaurant area, has the fourth best, on-time performance among U.S. hub airports and a safety record that has been fatality free for 50 years. The 13th busiest airport in the nation - and 17th busiest in the world it has eight major U.S. carriers, two foreign flag carriers, eight regional airlines, 18 charter airlines, 16 cargo carriers, and more than 35 air-freight forwarders.

Members can plan on a 20-minute drive between the airport and downtown.

5,000 Rooms Downtown

More than 5,000 guest rooms are located downtown, nearly 3,000 of which are connected to the Minneapolis Convention Center via the skyway system.

The closest hotel to the convention center is the Regal Minneapolis Hotel, linked by skyway to more than 50 blocks of dining and shopping areas. The Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, also connected by skyway, sits in Nicollet Mall, a mile-long pedestrian mall hosting a number of seasonal festivals and featuring Twin City shopping.

The Minneapolis Hilton and Towers, a four-diamond hotel, offers 821 rooms, the largest meeting space in Minnesota besides the convention center, a four-diamond restaurant, a full fitness center, and a staff that can accommodate international guests by speaking five languages.

The Radisson Plaza Hotel Minneapolis, another upscale downtown hotel, will appeal to convention delegates because of its 100 percent commitment to customer satisfaction. The Minneapolis Marriott City Center, offers services to help meetings and conferences run smoothly, such as teleconferencing facilities, portable stages, and messengers.

Plenty of Top Attractions

Ranked as one of the nation's safest cities, Minneapolis is known for a big-city appeal that melds seamlessly with small-town charm. The nightlife is diverse, featuring dozens of locales to hear music ranging from jazz to classical to rock, in addition to wine bars, dance clubs, and more than 275 restaurants of all ethnic varieties in the downtown area.

Some of the city's top attractions:

* Mall of America, Bloomington, is the largest fully enclosed retail and family entertainment complex in the United States. With 4.2 million square feet, it contains more than 400 specialty stores, 25 restaurants, 9 bars and nightclubs, and a 14-theater movie cinema.

* Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, home to the Minnesota Twins baseball and the Minnesota Viking football teams, is a fully enclosed, climate-controlled facility.

* Target Center, full-service entertainment venue, is where the Minnesota Timberwolves basketball team performs.

* Minnesota Zoo, covering 485 acres, is the second largest zoo in America and ranks as one of the top 20 zoos in the nation by wildlife experts.

* ValleyFair, a 90-acre amusement park bordering the Minnesota River, offers more than 75 rides, shows, and attractions.

* Science Museum of Minnesota, a three-floor adventure, features exhibits in biology, paleontology, technology and geography.

Things to Do in Minneapolis

Your members will find hundreds of things to do in the Minneapolis area, including:

1. Attending a Broadway touring show in the Hennepin Avenue theater district before the show even hits New York City 

2. Coming face-to-face with a shark at Underwater World, a 1.2-million-gallon aquarium at the Mall of America.

3. Examining unbelievable curing techniques at the Museum of Questionable Medical Devices on St. Anthony Main.

4. Hopping aboard the Minneapolis RiverCity Trolley for a historical city tour.

5. Fishing for walleye at Lake Nokomis and Muskie at Lake Calhoun.

6. Being part of the cast at Dudley Rigg's Brave New Workshop Midnight Improv.

7. Dining where Mary Tyler Moore regularly ate - at Basil's Restaurant, overlooking the IDS Crystal Court.

8. Finding deals on designer clothes at the Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus clearance floors in downtown Minneapolis.