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Harbor Side Convention Center
350 Harbor Dr,
Duluth, MN 55802
About the Conference Hotels
NORC is working with two hotel hotels to offer discount rates to attendees— the Holiday Inn is connected via skywalk and Canal Park Lodge is a short 0.5-mile walk (next door to our Takeover Night location).
Holiday Inn & Suites Duluth-Downtown
Address: 200 W First St, Duluth, MN 55802
Canal Park Lodge
Address: 250 Canal Park Dr, Duluth, MN 55802
Looking for alternate accessible hotels during your stay? We suggest The Suites Hotel (we do not have a conference room block at this hotel), or contact candace@americantrails.org for additional options.
Transportation
It’s very easy to get around downtown Duluth in relation to the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC - where NORC will be taking place) and renting a car is not necessary (but available if needed).
Questions?
Candace Gallagher, Conference Coordinator
candace@americantrails.org
(530) 645-3096
Donate to the NORC Scholarship Fund!
Your generous donation would support deserving scholarship recipients!
Transportation
It’s very easy to get around downtown Duluth in relation to the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC - where NORC will be taking place) and renting a car is not necessary (but available if needed). Both of our host hotels are within walking distance (one of which is connected via skywalk) to the convention center. The social events taking place at the Great Lakes Aquarium (Tuesday evening) and Canal Park Brewing Company (Thursday evening) are also within walking distance. The aquarium event will offer complimentary continuous and accessible transportation to and from the convention center.
Flying into Duluth?
Conveniently located just 10 minutes from downtown Duluth, DLH offers direct flights to major hubs, making your travel experience seamless.
- If staying at the Holiday Inn (our main host hotel), they provide a complimentary hotel shuttle!
- You have the option to rent a car or take advantage of ride share services (Lyft and Uber).
- Public transportation is also available (with the main transit hub in close proximity to the convention center—a 12 minute walk). View the Duluth Transit Authority (DTA) bus schedule. You can also view other options for getting around Duluth on the Visit Duluth website.
Flying into Minneapolis?
Need a ride between Duluth and Minneapolis/St. Paul?
- Groome Transportation offers daily shuttle vans directly between Duluth and Minneapolis MSP (Terminals 1 & 2). They even provide direct drop-off to the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) and surrounding hotels.
- Landline also provides nonstop daily scheduled bus service directly connecting the Duluth International Airport and MSP (Terminals 1 & 2), including Mankato.
Parking in Duluth
Save time on your visit by downloading the Park Duluth Mobile App! Easily pay for parking using your mobile device. Available to download in the Play Store and App Store.
Parking is also available at the DECC for $10/day. Learn more on parking at the DECC and view the parking guide map.
Sponsorship
Your brand will be seen by thousands of agency, business, academic, and nonprofit outdoor recreation leaders from across the US and Canada through social media and direct email. Onsite, you will have access to 400+ attendees, 75+ speakers, and multiple outreach channels. Help us build better ways to work together by attending, sponsoring, and developing a conference providing premier learning and networking opportunities for all within the outdoor recreation field. View the Sponsorship Packet to learn more about the different levels and benefits. Register as a sponsor today!
Holiday Inn & Suites Duluth-Downtown
Address: 200 W First St, Duluth, MN 55802
In the heart of downtown, Holiday Inn & Suites Duluth-Downtown is situated steps from the best of the city with easy access to Canal Park, Miller Hill Mall, and Duluth International Airport. Conveniently connected to the indoor skywalk, exploring the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center is effortless. Learn more at the hotel's website.
Room Rates:
$135 per night plus applicable taxes (currently 14.38% state and local taxes per night) with a room block starting Sunday, May 10, 2026 through Thursday, May 14, 2026. Limited rooms available with group rate available pre and post stay.
Cut-Off Date
Please note the discounted room block rate is good through 5:00 p.m. Eastern on April 17, 2026. Any reservations made after the cut-off date will pay the prevailing rate if rooms are available.
Room Reservations
For Room Reservations reserve your room online (enter your arrival and departure dates in the date range) or call 1-218-722-1202 (ask for Group Code OUT). Accessible rooms available upon request. For any questions on the hotel’s accessible features, please call the number above and hit 3 to talk to someone in reservations.
Hotel Concessions
- Onsite restaurant
- Complimentary self-parking
- Indoor pool and fitness center
- Pool/hot tub area (2 total)
What People Say About Our Conference
"NORC provides such an amazing opportunity to engage with others in the industry, learn, and not be siloed into our regions."
Kenzie Brunner (NORC 2024 Attendee)
"Amazing conference with huge networking and connectivity opportunities"
NORC 2024 Attendee
"NORC provides such an amazing opportunity to engage with others in the industry, learn, and not be siloed into our regions."
Kenzie Brunner (NORC 2024 Attendee)
Canal Park Lodge
Address: 250 Canal Park Dr, Duluth, MN 55802
Minnesota’s North Shore starts here! The Canal Park Lodge offers upscale units in Duluth’s Canal Park. This Lakeshore Duluth Hotel features 100% smoke free guest rooms, overlooking beautiful Lake Superior on one side, and is the gateway to the famous Canal Park on the other. Learn more at the hotel's website.
Room Rates
$169 city side or $179 lake side per night plus applicable taxes (currently 14.38% state and local taxes per night) with a room block starting Sunday, May 10, 2026 through Thursday, May 14, 2026. Limited rooms available with group rate available pre and post stay.
Cut-Off Date
Please note the discounted room block rate is good through 11:59 p.m. Central on April 19, 2026. Any reservations made after the cut-off date will pay the prevailing rate if rooms are available.
Room Reservations
For Room Reservations call 1-218-279-6000 referencing the conference name (National Outdoor Recreation Conference) and your arrival/departure dates. Accessible rooms available upon request. Please reference that you will need an accessible room when making your reservation.
Hotel Concessions
- Hot breakfast every morning
- Free parking
- Free WIFI
- Pool/hot tub area
- 24-hour exercise room
