Schedule for League of Minnesota Poets Fall Conference 2026
Friday location: Cowboy Jack’s — 2801 Southtown Drive, Bloomington (next to conference hotel)
Saturday-Sunday location: Embassy Suites — 2800 American Boulevard West, Bloomington
Friday, 10/23:
- Gathering at Cowboy Jack’s: 6:00-9:00 PM
- Theme: Glimmers — small moments of joy — bring a poem for the read around!
- Dinner/drinks: On your own (Pre-orders taken by 10/21 — form will be shared with registrants)
Saturday, 10/24:
- 8:30-9:15 AM, Open mic
- 9:30 AM, Opening Welcome
- 9:45 AM, The Haibun Form: A Few Steps Down a Narrow Road – AND – Link and Shift! Collaborative Writing with Renku with Sangita Kalarickal, presenter/workshop leader
- 11:45 AM, Lunch on your own
- 1:00-3:00 PM, Rising Voices: Youth Poet Laureate Panel featuring inaugural MN Youth Poet Laureate Sienna Lee, runner-up Knox Frederickson, and Emerging Voice poet Rhea Farban – AND – Writing Workshop led by cohort mentor Dralandra Larkins
- 3:15-5:00 PM, Group photo / Bookstore and Networking / Fine-tune your haiku for the slam
- 5:00-6:00 PM, Rest up for the Gala!
- 6:00-7:00 PM, Buffet meal and mingling
- 7:00-9:30 PM, Minnesota Poetry Prizes Gala, Theme: Celebration!! Wear bright colors or whatever feels like a celebration to you!!
Sunday, 10/25:
- 8:30-9:15 AM, Open mic
- 9:30 AM, Rezmerski Contest Winner and finalists announced
- 10:00 AM, Haiku Slam!! hosted by Jen Hernandez — League of Minnesota Poets go head-to-head in a Haiku Death Match judged by random volunteers from the audience. Who will triumph?
- 11:30 AM, Wrap up, final announcements, and send off
Join us at the Embassy Suites in Bloomington for the 2026 League of Minnesota Fall Conference! Highlights include a Friday night celebration and reading at Cowboy Jack’s, the 2026 Minnesota Poetry Prize Gala on Saturday evening, a panel presentation by the Minnesota Youth Poet Laureate cohort, a workshop by Sangita Kalarikal, and more!
When: Friday, Oct. 23 – Sunday, Oct. 25
Where: Embassy Suites by Hilton, 2800 American Boulevard West, Bloomington
Cost:
- Full Conference, League member: $75 (Poetry Prize Gala included)
- Full Conference, non-League member: $85 (Poetry Prize Gala included)
- Poetry Prize Gala only: $35
Registration: Click here to register for the conference.
Hotel Reservations:
- Reserve your room by October 2 to receive the special discount rate of $122!
- Click here to reserve your room now.
More details coming soon!
Questions? Email leagueofmnpoets@gmail.com.
2026 John C. Rezmerski Memorial Manuscript Competition – Closed
2026 Minnesota Poetry Prizes Contest — Closed
Thank you to all who submitted. Prizes will be awarded at our 2026 Fall Conference/Gala.
Sign up here to subscribe to the League of Minnesota Poets Newsletter:
(Note: After signing up below, please check your spam folder for your confirmation email, if needed. This email will ask you to confirm your subscription to our newsletter.)