The Great Minnesota Get-Together – The Minnesota State Fair is an example of customer service in a 322-acre site. As an attendee (one of more than 100,000 daily attendees of the 12-day extravaganza -adventure? – I can attest to the focus on making sure guests are as comfortable as they can be. The fairgrounds are relatively accessible (there could always be more curb ramps so one doesn’t have to find the end of the block) and the interior displays have plenty of room for wheelchair movement. The volunteers staffing the information booths are responsive and while I expect they get the same questions all day, every day, they make sure that you feel they actually care about your experience. Everyone who showed animals were open to visitors (families?) petting the cows, pigs and lambs and answering lots more questions.

The only snafu we experienced was access to the grandstand: my family members in scooters were taken to the wrong level and had to experience a narrow ramp to get to our seats. Of course there was a ramp, but it was difficult to navigate (but not impossible). They were humiliated having to bang into the wall on each turn of the ramp, but no one was injured. We brought it to staff staff attention and were told that the issue would be addressed. Of course it was too late for us, but if we could save someone else’s frustration then there was a win.

All in all, the 2 days we spent at the Great Minnesota Get-Together provided us with an good example of Minnesota nice.