[UPDATED] Best Minneapolis Trade Show Entertainment Ideas & Games For 2025

Written By Guest User

Author: William Griggs
Founder @ Trade Show Labs

Published: August 27, 2025
Last Updated: August 27, 2025

When you’re in Minneapolis, there’s no room for ordinary. This is a city defined by creativity, culture, and commerce—home to Fortune 500 giants, a thriving arts scene, and some of the most vibrant neighborhoods in the Midwest. Your Minneapolis activation needs to channel that same spirit of innovation and energy.

Trade Show Labs Creates the Impact

If you want more than just a standard setup, that’s where we step in. Trade Show Labs transforms exhibit spaces into destinations, delivering experiences that resonate as strongly as a summer night at the lakes or a mural in the Northeast Arts District. From tech-forward attractions to interactive games, we design Minneapolis installations that spark curiosity, drive conversation, and keep your brand top of mind.

The key to success here is creating moments as memorable as a walk across the Stone Arch Bridge or a packed night at First Avenue. That’s why our activations are designed to:

  • Draw steady traffic

  • Encourage real engagement

  • Generate qualified leads

  • Strengthen brand visibility

Instead of guessing what might connect with your audience, let our team bring the vision to life. We handle the design, planning, and execution—so your Minneapolis presence reflects the innovation, creativity, and excitement this city is known for.

 
 

1. AI Photo Booth

Looking to create a buzzworthy moment at your Minneapolis experience? The AI Photo Booth fuses technology and creativity, instantly transforming guests into digital portraits, branded characters, or stylized personas. Attendees love striking a pose and walking away seconds later with a one-of-a-kind image ready to share across social platforms. Each photo extends your brand beyond the floor, turning every snapshot into a mini billboard. Sleek, customizable, and built to capture attention, this activation ensures your Minneapolis presence shines both in person and online.

2. Walk the Plank VR

Give your Minneapolis showcase a dose of fearless fun with Walk the Plank VR. Guests slip on the headset, step onto a narrow plank suspended 80 stories above the ground, and test their nerves as the city skyline stretches below. The thrill is instant, the laughter contagious, and the memory unforgettable. Quick to set up, fully brandable, and built to capture attention, this activation transforms your Twin Cities presence into the one people can’t stop talking about.

3. Batak Pro Competition

Bring nonstop energy to your Minneapolis activation with the Batak Pro Competition. Players race against the clock, slapping lit-up targets as quickly as possible while the crowd cheers them on. The game sparks rivalries, fills your exhibit space with excitement, and keeps participants coming back for more. Compact, customizable, and easy to manage, this reflex challenge turns your Twin Cities presence into a hotspot for fun, engagement, and brand-building moments.

4. F1 VR Race Simulator

Turn your Minneapolis trade show booth into the ultimate speed zone with the F1 VR Race Simulator. Guests climb into the driver’s seat, grip a real racing wheel, and push the pedals as the VR headset drops them onto the track. Every curve, straightaway, and near-miss feels authentic as competitors chase the fastest lap time. The rush pulls in spectators just as much as the racers, creating nonstop energy around your installation. Fully brandable and designed for maximum impact, this activation makes your Twin Cities presence impossible to overlook.

5. Beat Saber Competition

Bring a surge of rhythm and energy to your Minneapolis activation with Beat Saber. Players step into VR, grab glowing sabers, and slice through waves of neon blocks in time with the music. The blend of lights, sound, and fast-paced action keeps the adrenaline high and makes the game just as fun to watch as it is to play. Easy to run and impossible to miss, Beat Saber transforms your Twin Cities setup into a music-fueled hotspot where competition, laughter, and your brand all stay in sync.

6. Are You Smarter Than An AI Bot?

Add a brainy edge to your Minneapolis showcase with Are You Smarter Than an AI Bot? This interactive trivia game pits participants against artificial intelligence in a fast-moving contest full of surprises. Customized questions keep the experience relevant, while the human-versus-machine challenge grabs attention and fuels conversation. Quick to set up, fully brandable, and designed for maximum engagement, this activation transforms your Twin Cities presence into a hub of curiosity, competition, and bragging rights.

7. TopGolf Trade Show Simulator

Bring the thrill of the course indoors with the TopGolf Simulator at your Minneapolis event. Guests step up, take their swing, and aim for virtual targets in a fast-paced challenge that’s as fun for beginners as it is for seasoned players. The competition keeps crowds engaged, the leaderboard sparks rivalries, and your brand stays at the center of the action. Compact, customizable, and designed for impact, this activation ensures your Twin Cities setup hits straight down the fairway.

8. Trade show Jeopardy Game Show

Bring the excitement of the iconic quiz show to your Minneapolis installation with Tablet Jeopardy. Players select categories, respond in classic Jeopardy style, and compete for the top score in a lively contest that keeps both participants and onlookers hooked. With tailored trivia, your brand seamlessly becomes part of the game, creating an experience that’s as informative as it is entertaining. Easy to run, fully customizable, and designed to engage, this activation turns your Twin Cities presence into a stage for friendly competition and lasting impressions.

9. Mini-Drone Racing Challenge

Add high-speed excitement to your Minneapolis showcase with the Mini-Drone Racing Challenge. Guests take the controls of agile drones and steer them through glowing gates and obstacle courses inside a safe, netted track. The action is fast, fun, and impossible to walk past, pulling in curious spectators and daring competitors alike. With branded LED rings and endless replay value, this activation gives your Twin Cities presence a cutting-edge vibe while fueling conversations, leads, and plenty of buzz.

10. Social Media Vending Machine

Turn online engagement into tangible rewards with the Social Media Vending Machine at your Minneapolis display. Guests unlock prizes—whether branded swag, tasty snacks, or product samples—by posting, tagging, or sharing on their favorite platforms. Every interaction builds digital visibility while driving excitement on the floor, creating a seamless connection between clicks and real-world buzz. With bold customization options and flexible setups, this activation keeps your Twin Cities presence energized, shareable, and impossible to ignore.

11. Branded Claw Machine

Bring retro arcade energy to your Minneapolis event with the Branded Claw Machine. Guests earn a chance to grab prizes by completing a quick action—like scanning a QR code, posting on social media, or filling out a form—making every play both fun and purposeful. Wrapped in your logo, colors, and messaging, the machine becomes a fully branded attraction that showcases your identity from every angle. Compact, interactive, and impossible to resist, this activation fuels steady excitement and ensures your Twin Cities presence stays memorable long after the show.

12. VR Meditation Heart Rate Challenge

Give your Minneapolis setup a restorative edge with the VR Meditation Heart Rate Challenge. Guests slip into virtual reality and are transported to calming environments—lush forests, flowing waterfalls, or even starry skies—while monitoring their relaxation through heart rate feedback. The experience blends mindfulness with a touch of friendly competition, making it as engaging as it is soothing. Compact, customizable, and simple to run, this activation leaves participants refreshed and ties your Twin Cities presence to balance, focus, and well-being.

13. SwagBot Print - 3D Printed Swag

Showcase innovation at your Minneapolis activation with SwagBot Print, a live 3D printing experience that transforms giveaways into on-the-spot creations. Guests can watch branded keychains, planters, or desk toys take shape layer by layer, then add their own touch with interactive 3D pens. The result is a personalized keepsake and a story they’ll share long after leaving your space. Compact yet impactful, this activation draws steady attention, fuels conversation, and ensures your Twin Cities presence stands out as both creative and memorable.

14. Top Gun VR Flight Simulator

Bring the rush of the skies to your Minneapolis installation with the Top Gun VR Flight Simulator. Guests step into a lifelike cockpit, grab the controls, and take off into a fully immersive 360° world. Every ascent, sharp turn, and landing feels authentic, giving participants the thrill of piloting a jet without ever leaving the floor. Crowds gather quickly—whether to fly or to watch—turning your Twin Cities activation into a steady hub of energy. Easy to brand and simple to operate, this experience ensures your company stays top of mind long after the headset comes off.

15. MLB Home Run Derby VR

Step up to the plate at your Minneapolis showcase with MLB Home Run Derby VR. Guests slip on the headset, grab a virtual bat, and swing for towering shots as they face pitch after pitch in a fully immersive ballpark setting. The competition fuels rivalries, draws steady attention, and gives your team endless chances to connect with participants. Simple to run, customizable with your branding, and packed with energy, this activation guarantees your Twin Cities presence delivers a grand slam.

 
 
 
 
 
 

Why Minneapolis?

The Bold North is Ready for Your Next Big Move

With over 400,000 residents in the city and more than 3.5 million in the metro, Minneapolis blends Midwestern warmth with big-city innovation. Nestled along the Mississippi River and surrounded by scenic lakes, it’s a place known for more than just snowy winters—Minneapolis is home to Fortune 500 companies, a thriving arts scene, and a creative drive that fuels business growth. When you’re showcasing in a city celebrated for both culture and commerce, your brand presence needs to rise to the occasion.

Let Minneapolis’s inventive spirit inspire your activation. Think clean, modern design influenced by its architecture, storytelling that connects to its rich arts community, and interactive technology that reflects its forward-looking energy. The most memorable Minneapolis installations lean into authenticity and creativity—delivering moments that spark conversation and lasting relationships. With Trade Show Labs, you’ll tap into the heartbeat of this dynamic city to create an experience as unforgettable as the view from the Stone Arch Bridge.

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Conclusion:

Stand Out in the Bold North

With Trade Show Labs, your Minneapolis presence will shine as brightly as the city’s skyline along the Mississippi. We deliver the best Twin Cities trade show ideas—from immersive activations to cutting-edge virtual reality and interactive games. Connect with our team to explore design, execution, and entertainment options customized to make your installation unforgettable.

 

We’re Ready to Connect With You

If your company is committed to making the most of its Minneapolis presence and focused on maximizing ROI, Trade Show Labs is here to help. Complete the form below and our team will be in touch to explore the fit. No matter what, you’ll gain valuable insights and key questions to guide your path toward trade show success. We look forward to starting the conversation with you soon.


 
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