November BCPA In Person Meeting: Tour of the MN State Fair EOC

In Person Meeting:  - St. Paul Fairgrounds

BCPA October Meeting: Tour of the Minnesota State Fair Emergency Operations Center (EOC)

Event: In-Person Meeting
Location: Minnesota State Fair – Emergency Operations Center – 1640 Como Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55108
Date/Time: November 13, 2025, 1:30 p.m.

The Minnesota State Fair is known as “The Great Minnesota Get-Together®”—a 12-day celebration that draws more than 2 million visitors each year.

Join the Business Continuity Planners Association (BCPA) for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of the Minnesota State Fair Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

This session will showcase how the Fair’s dedicated team of public safety professionals—including law enforcement, fire, National Weather Service, and emergency management—work together to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all.

This is a rare opportunity to see how Minnesota’s most iconic event safeguards millions of visitors while balancing tradition, entertainment, and security.

Session Objectives:

• How the MN State Fair plans for public safety and the Federal, State, County, and local agencies involved in protecting the Fair.
• The role of the EOC and technology involved in public safety
• Examples of real-time responses to incidents during the Fair
• Insights into how these practices can be applied to your own continuity and resilience organizations

Agenda

1:30 PM – Welcome & Announcements
1:40 PM – Guided Tour of the MN State Fair EOC by Director Mike Sand
2:30 PM – Q&A
2:45 PM – Networking & Discussion
3:00 PM – Closing

About the Speaker:

Mike Sand is the Emergency Management Director at the Minnesota State Fair. Mike has been Director of the Fair since 2021. Mike also serves as the Deputy Director of Emergency Management for the City of Saint Paul. Prior to working for both the Fair and the City of Saint Paul, Mike served in the Minnesota National Guard as a Sergeant Major. Mike is a certified instructor for the national incident command system and teaches courses nationwide.   

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