Minneapolis residents can sign up now for the free 2024 Community Connections Conference on Feb. 17. Everyone is invited to join in for a fun day of learning and connecting. The event makes it easy for residents to get involved in their local community. It also offers ways to meet the people behind important City services, community groups and other institutions. The conference is free and open to everyone.

Program

The conference program this year is built around the theme of “Open city, your Minneapolis.” Staff chose this theme to showcase how Minneapolis is a transparent, accessible city open to everyone, open to new ideas and open for business. Programming highlights the ways residents can get involved in both government decision-making and their local community. The conference this year will also celebrate the many parts of the city reopening and recovering after the pandemic.

This year's conference will have workshops, music and dance, activities for the whole family, an exhibit hall, and a community dialogue on youth and community safety.

Exhibits

Among more than 150 exhibits, attendees can find:

• Jobs and paid internships for young people at the City of Minneapolis.
• Pathways to green careers and other job opportunities.
• The City Clerk’s booth on how to connect with the Minneapolis City Council; how to be heard; and how to view the City Council’s ordinances, resolutions and meetings online.
• A free COVID vaccine clinic. No insurance needed.
• An indoor soccer field with the New Americans Youth Soccer Club.
• Minnesota Zoo animals.

Topics include:

• What all the different City departments do.
• How to save someone’s life with CPR and practice it on a mannequin.
• Immigration and other legal help.
• Opioid addiction resources.
• Crime prevention and services for victims.
• Community air pollution monitoring.
• Voting in elections.
• Resources to get rid of lead in homes. Attendees can bring in toys or ceramics they’d like to test for lead.

Breakout sessions

Breakout sessions include:

• Rights of renters.
• Buying a home for the first time.
• The Minneapolis Climate Equity Action Plan and how the City puts resources toward projects in communities that need it most.
• Voter engagement.
• Community dialogue on being a safe, healthy, and child friendly city.

Community Connections Conference
9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17
Minneapolis Convention Center, first floor, Hall E
Lunch is included. Metro Transit offers free rides to the conference.

Read more and register for the free conference on the City website.