2026 Council 5 Convention

2026 Council 5 Convention

We are very excited to host our 2026 AFSCME Council 5 Convention at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bloomington - Minneapolis South (7800 Normandale Blvd, Minneapolis, MN 55439) from September 24-26, 2026!

Our goal is to make this convention informative, fun, and entertaining while elected delegates conduct the business of our union, attend workshops, and so much more! Below are some key highlights and information to help make this convention a success and easier for attendees. 

CONVENTION START TIMES / GENERAL AGENDA:

September 23 - 

• CONVENTION ORIENTATION will start on September 23rd from 6:30-8 PM for those interested in knowing more about the convention, what to expect, etc. And a second Convention Orientation training will take place on September 24th from 8-9 AM.Please register for either of these sessions via MemberLink BEFORE the September 17, 2026 deadline.

September 24 - 

• The convention will be called to order on September 24th at 9:45 AM. Then we will break for lunch and then re-convene at approximately 1:45 PM for the purposes of nominating the positions of: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer, and conduct other business. Then we will recess after for the purposes of Sector and District Nominating Caucuses for the purposes of nominating Executive Board members. Sector and District caucuses needing to move to elections will take place on September 25th.
• ➡️ IMPORTANT NOTE: DELEGATES MUST BE IN LINE TO REGISTER BEFORE 9:30 OR THEY WILL BE GUESTS AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO VOTE.

September 25 - 

• The convention will reconvene on September 25th at 9 AM for the purposes of conducting business and then members will be released for the purposes of voting in an orderly manner, called by Local Union Number by Executive Director Bart Andersen. After voting, you are free to enjoy our photo booths, craft areas, and more, near the main ballroom doors in their designated areas. 
• September 25th is also our AFSCME Council 5 t-shirt day! You will receive a brand new branded t-shirt when you register at the hotel.
  • Workshops will begin on September 25th at 12:45 PM. You can choose your workshops and register before the deadline of September 18, 2026. 
• The Delegate Dance will start at 8 PM on Friday, September 25th! Come and see AFSCME Local 34 leader Kenneth Garnier and his amazing band play music as members and guests dance, laugh, and enjoy the party together!

September 26 - 

• The convention will then reconvene on September 26th at 9 AM for the purposes of conducting business with an adjournment of 12 PM noon or before if the business of the convention is completed earlier.

WORKSHOPS:

Click below for a listing of available workshops to attend the afternoon of Friday, September 25th. The first workshop you choose will start at 12:45 PM and the second workshop you choose will start at 2:30 PM. 

Click here to login to MemberLink and register for workshops BEFORE September 17, 2026.

Have Fun: Bling Table and Photo Booth!

• This year, we will have a really fun BLING TABLE where you can decorate your t-shirt/s, Delegate/Alternate badge, and more.
  • This table will be open on the Thursday of convention from 8-9:30 AM and available during lunch.
  • This table will be open on the Friday of convention from 8-9 AM and available during lunch.
• Take pictures at our PHOTO BOOTH! 
  • Take pictures as an individual or with your fellow local union members or members you just met for the first time!
    • Thursday: 8 AM - 2 PM
    • Friday: 8 AM - 12 PM

Additional Important Information:

• Resolutions for consideration of the AFSCME MN Council 5 Convention Delegate Assembly are due in to the Council 5 Office, per the proposed rules no later than twenty (20) calendar days prior to the opening of the Convention (September 4, 2026). Resolutions not meeting that deadline will be considered late resolutions and will require a two-thirds majority vote of the delegates for consideration. Resolutions are accepted only from affiliated local unions, sectors, districts, or policy committees. Resolutions shall be referred to the Resolutions Committee for recommendation to the Delegate Assembly.
• ACCOMMODATIONS: Upon request, any delegate with accessibility needs (i.e., interpreter) will be accommodated. We will be coordinating special accommodations requests. Email Liza.Allen@AFSCMEMN.org.
• A Prayer Room and a Mother's Room will both be available on-site throughout the convention for delegates, alternates, and guests to use. Prayer Room is located in the Lobby Conference Room and the Mother's Room is located in the Video Conference Room.
• ELECTIONS (if necessary) will be held for various positions including President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and District and Sector positions on the AFSCME Council 5 Executive Board. This year, we are working with the elections company called BallotPoint where there is a new, secure voting process in place. 
  • VIDEO: Click here to watch a video on how the elections process will work this year. BallotPoint is a company known for their efficiency and security in union elections. This is the same company that conducts AFSCME International's election and many other local and national union elections.
• Click here for hotel information, including accessibility information, check-in/check-out times, amenity information, and more.