25-tourism-conference-logo-primary-dateExplore Minnesota Tourism Awards

The Explore Minnesota Tourism Awards celebrate the outstanding people, marketing and initiatives that help make Minnesota a premier travel destination.

The following awards will be presented (in-person and virtually broadcast) at the 2026 Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference.

 

OUTSTANDING MARKETING CAMPAIGN
(for total organizational budgets under $1,000,000)

This award recognizes an innovative marketing campaign that has demonstrated exceptional creativity, innovation, and effectiveness.  

Finalists:  

  • Discover Stillwater 
  • Little Falls Chamber and Tourism 
  • Visit Mankato 

 

OUTSTANDING MARKETING CAMPAIGN
(for total organizational budgets over $1,000,000)

This award recognizes an innovative marketing campaign that has demonstrated exceptional creativity, innovation, and effectiveness.  

Finalists:  

  • Experience Rochester 
  • Meet Minneapolis 
  • Twin Cities Gateway Tourism 

 

SOCIAL MEDIA EXCELLENCE

This award recognizes exceptional social media campaigns or initiatives that showcase originality, brand consistency and creativity.  

Finalists:  

  • Bloomington Minnesota Travel & Tourism 
  • International Falls Ranier & Rainy Lake CVB 
  • Visit Bemidji 

 

OUTSTANDING VIDEO

The Outstanding Video Award recognizes tourism organizations that have produced unique and innovative video content showcasing their destination’s distinctive attributes.  

Finalists:  

  • International Falls Ranier & Rainy Lake CVB 
  • Rochester Downtown Alliance 
  • Visit Fairmont 

 

BEST DESTINATION WEBSITE

This award recognizes a new or refreshed website that has significantly enhanced the visitor experience, providing exceptional features such as interactive mapping, robust search functionality, personalized recommendations, and seamless social media integration.  

Finalists:  

  • Destination: Woodbury 
  • Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce 
  • Visit Fergus Falls 

 

ONE MINNESOTA AWARD

Recognizing collaborative efforts of three or more organizations or entities, this award will be presented to an outstanding tourism project, initiative or campaign designed to advance tourism for a community, area or business district.  

Finalists: 

  • Discover Stillwater 
  • Explore Southwest Minnesota 
  • Visit Bemidji 

 

EXCEPTIONAL GRANT PROJECT

This award recognizes an outstanding project by an Explore Minnesota Grant recipient demonstrating innovation within the program.  

Finalists:  

  • Ely Area Tourism Bureau 
  • Experience Maple Grove 
  • Red Wing CVB 

 

EXCEPTIONAL CO-OP CAMPAIGN

This award celebrates an extraordinary campaign run through the Explore Minnesota  
Co-op Program.  

Finalists: 

  • Discover Stillwater 
  • Giants Ridge 
  • Hinckley CVB 

 

EMERGING LEADER

This award recognizes an individual who has joined Minnesota's tourism industry within the last five years. The Emerging Leader exhibits a passion for Minnesota's tourism and hospitality industry, is mindful of their role in making the state a welcoming place for all travelers, and through their work ensures the future growth and vitality of Minnesota tourism. 

Finalists:  

  • Ashlee White (Visit Mankato) 
  • Colleen Smith (Vista Fleet) 
  • Lara Coyer (Cabin O’Pines Resort)