Meeting Space Rental
Rent Wilder Center's conference auditorium and meeting rooms for your community event in Saint Paul, MN
Wilder Center offers small-to-large capacity conference auditorium and meeting room rentals for your nonprofit, government agency or corporate event and is conveniently located between downtown Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Wilder Center is accessible by I-94, Metro Transit Light Rail, and several bus routes. Free ramp parking, free Wi-Fi, audio-visual equipment and a virtual add-on option for hybrid events make Wilder Center the perfect venue.
We're open: Meet in-person at the Wilder Center and offer guests a virtual option to join your hybrid event online!
Whether you're looking to host a community get-together or work meeting, we understand that health, safety and convenience are of utmost priority for events in these unprecedented times.
Wilder Center is open for in-person events with new capacity guidelines and a virtual add-on option using Webex for your guests who can't be there in-person. With capacity for up to 3,000 online guests using our Cisco Webex events license, you can easily host a limited in-person event and have guests join online. We’ve had many hybrid, 100% virtual and live streamed events since last March!
- COVID-Safety Updates: Check the new meeting capacities and guidelines for safe physical distancing while meeting at Wilder Center.
Event spaces are available for rent weekdays and weekends during the following hours:
- Monday-Friday: 6:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
- Saturday: 6:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m.
- Sunday: 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
For questions and reservations, contact John Zimmerman, Wilder Center Event Manager:
651-280-2402 | meet@wilder.org
Check out the video below to learn more about the Wilder Center event venue, location and meeting spaces. You find more detailed information in our rental rate card and our convening user guide.
Meetings spaces are available for rent on both the first and second floor of Wilder Center. Room charges are billed hourly (with a four-hour minimum for the auditorium spaces). We offer discounted rates for nonprofit/government agency rentals; rates are listed respectively.
Capacities & Guidelines for Safe Physical Distancing
| Auditorium | Theater & Classroom Style | U-Shape Style | Conference Style | Modified Cluster Style* |
|
Full |
70 |
26 |
32 |
32 |
|
A |
25 |
12 |
16 |
16 |
|
A & B |
45 |
15 |
19 |
24 |
|
B, C & D |
40 |
14 |
18 |
19 |
|
C & D |
20 |
10 |
14 |
-- |
|
B |
20 |
10 |
14 |
-- |
**Modified cluster style: 60” rounds and 4’x5’ clusters are not an option. Conference style clusters for small group work will be accommodated with 6 tables for 4 people.
Safety Guidelines at Wilder Center:
- Access event spaces from parking ramp to courtyard entrance; do not use main entrance.
- Masks are strongly encouraged; sanitation stations will be available.
- Individually packaged lunches only; no buffet style food and beverage.
- Attendees should use restrooms when needed; no full group breaks.
Types of Event & Meeting Spaces for Rent at Wilder Center
Auditorium
- Large capacity: 285 people with theater-style setup; 152 at round tables
- Can be subdivided into smaller rooms for breakout sessions and smaller events
- A/V capabilities: hybrid video-conference system with two pan-tilt-zoom control cameras, projector, screen, DVD/VCR, microphone, conference phone, ceiling speakers
- Adjacent dining area available for use
- 4-hour minimum, billed hourly
Auditorium Rental Charges:
- Wilder Center Auditorium - $450 (Nonprofit/Government Rate - $275)
- Amherst H. Wilder Auditorium - $200 (Nonprofit/Government Rate - $110)
- Fanny Spencer Wilder Auditorium - $175 (Nonprofit/Government Rate - $90)
- Cornelia Day Wilder Auditorium - $55 (Nonprofit/Government Rate - $40)
- Victor Watkins Auditorium - $55 (Nonprofit/Government Rate - $40)
- Cornelia Day + Victor Watkins Auditoriums - $175 (Nonprofit/Government Rate - $90)
- Download the rate card for rental rates
Meeting Rooms
- Six small meeting rooms accommodate 6-14 people each
- Two large rooms for 24-26 people each
- A/V capabilities vary by room
- Billed hourly
Meeting Room Charges:
- 2nd Floor Small-Medium Meeting Rooms: 2310, 2320, 2410, 2420, 2520, 2620 - $50 (Nonprofit/Government Rate - Free (1x per month)
- 2nd Floor Large Meeting Rooms: 2510, 2610 - $50 (Nonprofit/Government Rate - $35)
- Download the rate card for rental costs for each room
Rondo Dining Room
- Dining area for small gatherings
- Buffet counter
- Access to refrigerator, dishwasher and sinks
- Large capacity coffee dispensers
- Hourly rate: $75/hour (same rate for nonprofit, government and for-profit)
Lobby
- Large, open lobby space with plenty of natural light
- Long gathering table and other comfortable seating areas
- Flexible space can accommodate receptions (high-top tables) or presentations (theater-style seating)
- Hourly rate: $200 (nonprofit/government discount rate: $110/hour)
Backyard
- Beautifully landscaped backyard area accessible from auditorium
- Overhead speakers can be used in conjunction with auditorium A/V
- Hourly rate: $220
- Parking in our free off street, 5-floor parking ramp
- Technical assistance with audio and visual setup from Wilder staff
- Commercial kitchen for licensed caterers to use for staging and food preparation (includes water and ice dispensers)
- Wi-Fi access
- Restrooms near all event spaces
- Accessible, elevator and stairs available
Please note:
- Alcohol allowed (call for details)
- Bring your own linens (table covers, chair covers, napkins and other linens not included)
Wilder Center Alcohol Guidelines
What to know about having alcohol at your event:
- Consumption of alcohol is prohibited on Wilder Center premises except as authorized by this document.
- Alcohol is permitted for Wilder Hosted Employee Events (i.e. Employee Recognition Dinner); Wilder Hosted Community Events (i.e. Grand Opening), Wilder Hosted Non-Employee Events (i.e. Rotary Club Dinner) and outside organizations on a per event basis.
- Alcohol can only be served on the first floor of Wilder Center in defined common areas or the backyard (see floorplan).
- Consumption of alcoholic beverages is limited to persons 21 years of age or older. No one under the age of 21 shall be served alcoholic beverages.
- Beer, wine and spirits are the accepted types of alcohol.
- Alcoholic beverages must be accompanied by hors d'oeuvres or a meal.
- No cash bar and no more than two tickets for alcoholic beverages will be provided to each participant at/prior to any event. An event includes a reception, dinner or both. Wine may be served at the table and tickets must be collected by the server.
- Open containers are prohibited outdoors with the exception of the backyard.
- The number of people present at the event must not exceed the maximum number allowed in the facility or space.
- A Saint Paul Police officer must be present at all events in which alcohol is served.
- Bring-Your-Own-Beverage (BYOB) arrangements are prohibited.
- No alcohol can be taken from the premises.
- A list of cabs and phone numbers are provided at the Wilder Center reception desk or from the Event Coordinator.
Who can provide alcoholic beverages at Wilder Center:
- Wilder will not be the provider or server of alcoholic beverages.
- A vendor (caterer) with a liquor license or in the business of serving alcohol will provide and dispense the alcohol to attendees.
- The vendor must provide a certificate of insurance proving liquor liability coverage and naming Wilder as an additional insured at the following policy limits: General Liability $1,000,000.00 per occurrence and $3,000,000.00 in aggregate.
- Alternative beverages such as non-alcoholic beverages must be available at the same place as the alcoholic beverages and featured as prominently as the alcoholic beverages.