The Sanford Center did an excellent job of hosting our Leadership Conference. I rated everything the highest that I could. The Sanford Center staff (especially Georgette Bloom) was top notch to work with since our first meeting a year ago. Everything at the Sanford Center was done with a high degree of professionalism.

- Jim Weinzierl, Region 8A - MSHSL

This year, the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities held its annual summer conference at the Sanford Center in Bemidji. We had 100 city officials from across the state attend the conference, the furthest driving up from Luverne. Not only did we have good attendance, but our members had a great time in Bemidji! Everyone enjoyed the downtown pub crawl and the walking tour organized by Visit Bemidji, featuring stops at the Paul and Babe statues, Headwaters Science Center, and Community Art Center. While in town, my wife and I biked around Lake Bemidji and visited Itasca State Park and I know many other attendees did as well. Add to that the impeccable service and excellent facilities provided by the Sanford Center, our 2013 Summer Conference will go down as one of the best ever!

- Tim Flaherty Executive Director, Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities

"I did not mind the drive at all. I enjoy being in the Bemidji area.

Clearly the Sanford Center is a top-notch facility to hold meeting and conventions. What surprised and impressed me was the food and the service. Having spent 8 years in the legislature I have eaten my fair share of “chicken dinners” at events. But the quality of the food and the service provided by the staff was first-class!"

- EDA Executive Director Dan Dorman, Albert Lea, MN

"Kristi - Thank you so very much for all your help with the wedding.  We couldn't have had a more perfect day.  You and James were so accommodating and made all the small details happen.  Please let him know how much I appreciated his patience and help. You guys were always there when I had a question or needed something.  AND were quick to make it happen.

A big thanks to Joe, the cooking staff, and the wait staff.  The food was fabulous and we had a lot of compliments on the chicken parmesan and the tiramisu.

Thanks for helping to make Hailey and Casey's wedding day a huge success and full of happy memories.  We would recommend the Sanford venue to all future wedding planners!

Thanks again for everything!!"

- Sage & Brian Stefanich

"Just wanted to send you a quick note to let you know how wonderful it was working with you!

The wedding event was a HUGE success! YAY!  Now all that's left is the clean up—the garage is full of wedding remnants!

The ENTIRE staff at the Sanford Center was awesome!  Whenever a question arose—all were right there on the spot to find answers, solve problems, super friendly, courteous, professional, and all went over and above to make sure everything was right in our world!  I can't say enough good things!  Very hard working staff from the top down to the bottom. I tried to make sure your staff knew they were very much appreciated but I know I didn't get a chance to touch base with all.   Please pass this along to everyone!  Please give Joe another hug because he was especially awesome at being my "go to guy".  It was such a busy evening for your staff who were present and working very hard for two events.  Wonderful job.  I hope they rested well on Sunday !

The candy bar was a hit, the blue signature drinks were a hit, everyone raved about the taco dip and chips, the food got raves!  Everyone loved the fact that we had the extra space of the lobby to gather and chat before dinner.  There were so many extremely wonderful comments about the facility.  Guests were very impressed.  YAY!"
 

- Thanks, Gail Kelsey

"Help and advice on set-up (room) was great. Very accommodation to all needs, ideas, and concerns. Food was fantastic!"
 

- Wedding reception

"The catering staff was fabulous!"
 

- Northwest MN Foundation

"The food was simply 5 star. Our own menu/recipes were accepted. Staff from all areas (kitchen, event booking, etc) checked in frequently to ensure satisfaction."
 

- Lisa Burlage, Greater NW EMS

"The Sanford Center staff, accommodations, and location make an excellent setting for our most honorable events - i.e. graduation, prom. Thank you for our great working relationship. Outstanding scoreboard rolling of graduate photos. Handicap seating was excellent as well. The BHS Graduation ad on marquee was excellent." 

- Brian Stefanich, Bemidji Area Schools  

"Attentiveness and flexibility to our needs € especially catering staff!"

- NMF 

"Thank you for your help and the excellent service!"
 

- League of Minnesota Cities 

"Georgette Bloom was exceptionally easy to work with. Our event was planned at the last minute and she was fabulous. Responded quickly to calls and emails, made appropriate suggestions, handled all details so I could just relax and show up."
 

-Sandy Johanning, Northwest Technical College 

" Service was excellent. Thank you for providing such a wonderful facility to hold large banquets."

-Vicky - Mansson, | Northwoods Pregnancy Care Center 

"Thanks for working with our menus. Lots of comments about following the Titanic theme with the meals. Some cool food on Thursday We used to hold his in Mahnomen. People appreciate the smoke free environment and non-casino environment. This is a nice facility, meets our need for large sessions and break-out sessions. The staff was very accommodating! lunch, Friday was very good."

- Greater Northwest EMS

"The Sanford Center staff was always very responsive to any questions I had during the planning of our event. Your staff has a tremendous amount of experience and knowledge related to event planning which made for a very successful event." Thank you!

- Sally Corser, Sanford Health

"The Sanford Center has an amazing staff that were very helpful during our planning process. They offer several areas within the Sanford Center where you can hold a ceremony and/or reception. Our reception was held in the ballroom and it was perfect! I am 100% glad that we chose the Sanford Center for our big day! :)"