2026
AIM CREATIVE CONFERENCE
The Animal Image Makers™ 2026 conference will stimulate your senses, push your creativity, and inspire you like never before. This starts with the location: Loring Park in Minneapolis.
AIM Founder Lisa Asp has had her studio in the Loring Park neighborhood since 2019. The area is filled with artists and amazing places to spark creativity.
Introducing Loring Corners
Our conference takes place in Minneapolis’s vibrant Loring Park neighborhood — a creative, walkable district that perfectly reflects the spirit of AIM. This is home to Director Lisa Asp’s studio and just steps from Loring Park, the Walker Art Center & Sculpture Garden, and The Basilica of Saint Mary.
Loring Park is one of Minneapolis’s oldest public parks, established in the late 1800s, and has long been a gathering place for artists, musicians, and changemakers. The nearby Walker Art Center is internationally recognized for contemporary art, and the iconic Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture has become a symbol of the city’s playful creativity. The neighborhood blends historic architecture with modern culture, hosting art festivals, outdoor movies, Pride celebrations, concerts, and community events throughout the year.
The conference itself will be held at The Journey, located in the historic Fawkes Building — originally home to Minneapolis’s first automobile showroom in 1911. Once a symbol of innovation and forward motion, the building now houses our venue. Its character-rich architecture and creative energy make it the perfect setting for a conference devoted to artistic exploration and pushing beyond the expected.
Whether you’re wandering through Fawkes Alley with a camera, exploring the Sculpture Garden at golden hour, or enjoying a quiet moment by the lake in Loring Park, you’ll find inspiration around every corner.
Our Partner Hotel
Hyatt Regency Minneapolis
An upscale downtown Minneapolis hotel located right on Nicollet Mall, the Hyatt Regency offers modern guestrooms, skyline views, on-site dining, and fitness facilities in the heart of the city. It’s connected via skyway to much of downtown’s shopping and attractions, making it convenient for exploring the city.
Distance: 0.4 miles
Walk: 10 minutes
Scooter/Bike: 3 minutes
On the Loring Greenway and through Loring Park
ROOM BLOCK RATE OF JUST $135! (Regular price - $180)
Looking to extend your stay in Minneapolis? The Hyatt will honor this incredible room block rate for three days before and three days after the conference!
Things to do:
- Minnesota State Fair (August 27 to September 7)
- Minnesota Renaissance Festival (Weekends Aug 22 - Oct 4)
- Biking or walking along the Chain of Lakes (Lake Calhoun, Lake Harriet)
- Kayaking or paddleboarding on the Mississippi River
- Watching the sunset from rooftops or waterfront patios
- Visiting local markets or pop-up festivals (often pop up mid-week as well as weekends)
- Visit the art museums
- Hear live music at one of the many venues
- Explore downtown restaurants
Fresh air and movement can help ignite your creativity
Just a short, scenic 10-minute walk from the AIM Conference venue, our partner hotel gives you a chance to step outside and let your ideas breathe. Research shows that fresh air and gentle movement spark creativity and open the mind — inviting inspiration that might otherwise go unnoticed in more static environments. Embrace the brief walk through Loring Park’s tree-lined paths to take moment to reset, reflect, and reconnect with your creative flow. At AIM, we want your whole experience — from session to stroll — to fuel fresh perspectives and the kind of insight that only comes when body and mind move in step. This also give you a great opportunity to connect with other conference attendees to discuss the programs, continuing your new-found inspiration.