Twin Cities April 15-30th (Local Business Networking Events & Conferences)
Your next opportunity is a conversation: Twin Cities events you can't miss this month.
👋 Welcome
Hey Twin Cities friends — happy mid-April.
Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about social capital — the “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know (and who knows you)” kind of value that comes from real relationships. And with AI getting louder and faster every week, I keep coming back to this simple truth: the most meaningful opportunities still come from being in rooms, joining communities, and staying connected to actual humans.
I just learned about the documentary Join or Die (on Netflix) — it’s all about why joining clubs, groups, and community spaces matters more than we think (for our lives and for our work). Apparently it’s leaving Netflix in two days, so consider this your nudge to watch it tonight or tomorrow if you can.
Because networking isn’t just “business stuff” — it’s how we build trust, find collaborators, make referrals, and feel less alone while we’re building.
This roundup covers April 15–30.
Quick personal plug (I promise it’s relevant):
I’ll be speaking at ConnectUP! #LevelUP w/A.I. on April 29.
And I’m also speaking at Minnebar20 on May 2 (tickets are available now).
Links are below
🗓 Upcoming Events (April 15–30)
AI Connect (Networking Meetup)
🗓 Date & Time: Wednesday, April 15 — 4:00–7:00 PM
📍 Location: Punch Bowl Social (Minneapolis)
🎯 Who It’s For: AI-curious founders, builders, operators, and anyone exploring how AI is changing work.
🎉 Vibe: Casual networking + “let’s swap ideas” energy.
💵 Pricing: Not listed
🔗 Link to RSVP/Sign up: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ai-connect-april-2026-tickets-1985515859384
MPI Minnesota Meetings & Events Day (Conference)
🗓 Date & Time: Wednesday, April 15 — 7:30 AM–5:00 PM
📍 Location: Sheraton Minneapolis Downtown Convention Center, 1313 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis
🎯 Who It’s For: Meeting + event pros, planners, and anyone who wants a full day of industry learning + networking.
🎉 Vibe: Big “professional development + connections” day.
💵 Pricing: Paid (see registration)
🔗 Link to RSVP/Sign up: https://cvent.me/vYEPx4
Minneapolis Business Networking Event (Tipclub)
🗓 Date & Time: Thursday, April 16 — 8:00–9:30 AM
📍 Location: 7700 France Ave S (Bloomington Room, Room 107), Edina, MN 55435
🎯 Who It’s For: Professionals + small business owners who want structured networking.
🎉 Vibe: Fast-paced introductions + “give and take” networking format.
💵 Pricing: Free first time
🔗 Link to RSVP/Sign up: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/minneapolis-business-networking-event-registration-1984582659157
WeMN Conference 2026 (Women Entrepreneurs of Minnesota)
🗓 Date & Time: Thursday, April 16 — 9:00 AM–4:00 PM (check-in + coffee/networking 9:00–10:00 AM)
📍 Location: Plymouth Community Center — 14800 34th Ave N, Plymouth, MN 55447
🎯 Who It’s For: Women and women-identified entrepreneurs (especially if you want a “one big day” of momentum + connections).
🎉 Vibe: Full-day conference energy with lots of networking.
💵 Pricing: Paid
🔗 Link to RSVP/Sign up: https://www.wemn.org/conference
CreativeMornings/Minneapolis (Breakfast lecture)
🗓 Date & Time: Friday, April 17 — 8:30 AM CDT
📍 Location: Goldstein Museum of Design (University of Minnesota)
🎯 Who It’s For: Creative community folks who like a morning spark + new connections.
🎉 Vibe: Coffee + inspiration.
💵 Pricing: Free
🔗 Link to RSVP/Sign up: https://creativemornings.com/cities/msp
Collective Magazine Issue Launch Party
🗓 Date & Time: Friday, April 17 — 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 Location: The Journey Events
🎯 Who It’s For: Creatives, entrepreneurs, and community-minded humans who want a fun local launch-night.
🎉 Vibe: Social + celebratory.
💵 Pricing: Free
🔗 Link to RSVP/Sign up: https://www.collectivemn.co/events
Minnesota Success Mastermind (Meetup)
🗓 Date & Time: Saturday, April 18 — 10:00 AM CDT
📍 Location: 8400 Normandale Lake Blvd, Bloomington (per organizer)
🎯 Who It’s For: Entrepreneurs who want accountability + growth energy.
🎉 Vibe: Mastermind discussion + networking.
💵 Pricing: Free (per organizer)
🔗 Link to RSVP/Sign up: https://www.meetup.com/minnesotasuccessmastermind/
Monthly Fractional Business Talk Series
🗓 Date & Time: Wednesday, April 22 (time/details on Eventbrite)
📍 Location: TBD (see Eventbrite)
🎯 Who It’s For: Fractional leaders, consultants, and operators (or anyone curious about the fractional world).
🎉 Vibe: Talk + networking.
💵 Pricing: $20
🔗 Link to RSVP/Sign up: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/monthly-fractional-business-talk-series-tickets-1981524351677
Networking Hangout by Heyven (Micro networking)
🗓 Date & Time: Wednesday, April 22 — 4:00–6:00 PM
📍 Location: South Minneapolis (details on listing)
🎯 Who It’s For: Local small businesses and community builders who want genuine conversation without the pressure.
🎉 Vibe: Casual, low-pressure micro-networking.
💵 Pricing: Paid, Free to Members
🔗 Link to RSVP/Sign up: https://www.heyven.co/events/networking-hangout-micro-networking-for-local-businesses-4
Enterprise Rising Conference 2026 (SaaS / Startups / Investors)
🗓 Date & Time: Thursday, April 23 (all day)
📍 Location: St. Paul, MN (see ticket page for specifics)
🎯 Who It’s For: SaaS founders, startup builders, operators, investors, and service providers who live in the B2B/startup world.
🎉 Vibe: High-signal founder room.
💵 Pricing: Paid
🔗 Link to RSVP/Sign up:
https://enterpriserisingconference2026.splashthat.com/
Ethical Tech Project Visits From NYC: Responsible AI Presentation
🗓 Date & Time: Thursday, April 23 — 5:30–7:30 PM
📍 Location: ModernWell — 2909 S Wayzata Blvd, Minneapolis
🎯 Who It’s For: Anyone curious about responsible AI and AI governance (no AI experience needed)
🎉 Vibe: Part presentation, part working session, part honest conversation
💵 Pricing: Free
🔗 Link to RSVP/Sign up: https://luma.com/grwai32q
2026 Women’s Networking Summit + Women Who Inspire Awards (Elevate Her Network)
🗓 Date & Time: Thursday, April 23 — 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
📍 Location: GrandStay Hotel & Conference, 7083 153rd Street West, Apple Valley, MN 55124
🎯 Who It’s For: Women founders, leaders, business owners, and professionals who want connection + inspiration.
🎉 Vibe: Conference-style day + awards celebration.
💵 Pricing: Paid
🔗 Link to RSVP/Sign up: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-womens-networking-summit-featuring-the-women-who-inspire-awards-tickets-1665299287999
Lake Street Council Annual Meeting + Networking 2026
🗓 Date & Time: Wednesday, April 29 — 3:00–6:00 PM
📍 Location: Minneapolis (see Eventbrite listing for venue details)
🎯 Who It’s For: Folks connected to Lake Street, community development, small business support, and local stakeholders.
🎉 Vibe: Community-forward networking + annual meeting.
💵 Pricing: Free
🔗 Link to RSVP/Sign up: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lake-street-council-annual-meeting-networking-2026-tickets-1984896465761
Influencer Fest: When brands and influencers meet (AMA Minnesota)
🗓 Date & Time: Wednesday, April 29 — 8:00–10:00 AM
📍 Location: Hop House at Mystic Lake — 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd, Prior Lake, MN
🎯 Who It’s For: Marketers, founders, and creators who want to understand influencer marketing (and meet potential partners IRL).
🎉 Vibe: Educational mini-summit + meet-and-mingle.
💵 Pricing: Paid (see tickets)
🔗 Link to RSVP/Sign up: https://www.simpletix.com/e/influencer-fest-when-brands-and-influencer-tickets-260986
#LevelUP w/A.I. Summit (ConnectUP! Institute)
🗓 Date & Time: Wednesday, April 29 — 8:30 AM–4:00 PM
📍 Location: Wilder Foundation, St. Paul
🎯 Who It’s For: Business owners, nonprofits, investors, and ecosystem builders who want practical ways to use AI to streamline ops, marketing, and systems.
🎉 Vibe: One-day learning + implementation energy.
💵 Pricing: Paid (tickets)
🔗 Link to RSVP/Sign up: https://connectupmn.org/aisummit/
Elevate Her Morning Coffee Break (Burnsville)
🗓 Date & Time: Thursday, April 30 (time/details on site)
📍 Location: Burnsville
🎯 Who It’s For: Women in business who want a lighter, morning connection point.
🎉 Vibe: Friendly coffee + connection.
💵 Pricing: Members Free, Otherwise Paid
🔗 Link to RSVP/Sign up:
https://www.elevatehernetworking.com/
🔥 Heads up: One big May event (tickets go fast)
Minnebar20 (Minnestar) — I’m speaking!
🗓 Date & Time: Saturday, May 2 — 8:00 AM–7:00 PM
📍 Location: Best Buy HQ — 7601 Penn Ave S, Richfield, MN 55423
🎯 Who It’s For: Tech + startup + curious humans who want a full day of learning and meeting people.
🎉 Vibe: Unconference energy. Pick your own sessions and meet a ton of smart humans.
💵 Pricing: Free (ticket required)
🔗 Link to tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/minnebar20
🔗 Event details: https://minnestar.org/minnebar/
👋 About + work with me
I’m Jenna Redfield — a videographer + personal branding strategist who helps entrepreneurs show up on camera with confidence and look as legit as they are.
If you’re building a personal brand (or you know you should be, but it feels overwhelming), I help with:
Filming high-quality, on-brand video content (without a million shoot days)
Clarifying your message so your videos actually say something
Turning one filming session into a month of content you can post
The easiest way to work together: VIP Video Day
If you want a fresh batch of on-brand video content without the endless “I’ll film next week” cycle — my VIP Video Day is for you.
It’s a one-day, done-with-you filming sprint where you walk away with:
A stack of short-form videos
A few longer pieces (if you want)
And a plan for how to actually use it all
Book a free call: https://jennaredfield.com/free-call
Follow along / say hi:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennaredfield
Latest from my Substack: Optimization Toolbox
If you like tools + systems + “make this easier for my brain” type content, here are a couple recent posts:
I Switched from ChatGPT to Claude (Here’s Why It’s Better for ADHD Brains + Notion):
💬 Personal Note
I’m personally trying to say yes to at least one “leave the house and talk to humans” event per week right now — because it makes everything else (work, creativity, motivation) feel easier.
If you go to any of these, hit reply and tell me where you ended up. I love hearing what rooms you’re in lately.
