A special thank you to everyone that attended!
Share Feedback About the Conference
View a photo gallery of the 2025 Tourism Conference.
2025 Tourism Conference Photos
Shiny New Objects
Selected vendors will showcase the latest innovative technologies, products, and services emerging in the travel and tourism industry.
Strategies to Attract More Sports Business to Your Community (Industry Panel)
Learn from Minnesota Sports Alliance panelists how they have built successful programs to attract more sports meetings, events and tournaments to their communities and facilities.
The Print Travel Guide of the Future
Print is not dead, but yours might be. Learn from Josiah Brown's experience of talking to thousands of travelers per year on what they are looking for in travel guides and why it’s an essential part of your local advocacy efforts as well.
10 Social Media Trends to Watch in 2025
Arik Hanson will provide his pragmatic predictions for what’s next in the social media marketing world. It’s a big question on many travel industry marketers’ minds as we start the New Year.
Regional Impacts of Climate Change Across Minnesota and the Future of Tourism
This session will share new, highly localized climate projections for Minnesota and explore how tourism marketing efforts can adapt to the challenges and opportunities of a changing climate.
Tourism Asset-Based Economic Development
Dr. Maree Forbes Gaughan will discuss Asset Based Economic Development, an approach that begins with existing tourism assets and builds upon the distinct culture to create tourism offerings that are unique to the area, that can’t be duplicated.
Generative AI 101
Ready to move beyond the AI buzzwords and start actually using these tools? Janette Roush will present an interactive workshop with practical applications of AI for tourism professionals.
Lightning in a Bottle, a Bring Ya A** Case Study
The Explore Minnesota marketing team seized on the opportunity, quickly launching a series of social media posts, a web takeover, and other communications and campaign efforts to seize the attention of fans, media and the internet at large.
The Changing Face of Group Travel
Join Dr. Maree Forbes Gaughan and the Explore Minnesota Market Development Team to learn what today's group travelers are looking for in a trip and the differences in their search and booking patterns.
Winona’s Winning Formula: Leveraging Outdoor Recreation for Tourism, Community, and Quality of Life
This case study will explore how the city’s strategic investments in outdoor spaces and recreational activities have not only attracted visitors and new residents but also enhanced the quality of life for its current population.
AI Ideas Exchange
Moving beyond basic tools to tackle the strategic challenges of AI adoption? Join Janette Roush in this facilitated discussion where tourism leaders share approaches to thorny issues like organizational guidelines, change management, and executive buy-in.
How to Attract Film Production to Your Community
Learn about the new Explore Minnesota Film office, the tourism and economic development opportunities of film production, and how to create a Film Friendly Community Program to attract new productions to your community.
View a photo gallery of the 2025 Tourism Award Winners.
Thank you to our conference sponsors:
A special thank you to everyone that attended the 2024 Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference
View conference recordings and view slide decks from Monday's Leadership Summit and Tuesday's full -day conference.
Tourism Awards: 2024 Awards Program
View all Tourism Award Nominees and Tourism Award Winners
View a photo gallery from the 2024 Tourism Conference including Tourism Award Winners. Check back for more conference photos being added soon!
2024 Tourism Conference Photo Gallery
Thank you to our conference sponsors:
A special thank you to everyone that attended the 2023 Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference
 |
Julie Wearn | Tourism Professional of the Year | ||
 |
Rachel Thompson | Emerging Leader | ||
 |
Amy Jo Marks | Exceptional Customer Service | ||
| Visit Lake City | #OnlyinMN Award | |||
| St. Louis County Depot | Marketing Campaign of the Year (business) | |||
| Discover St. Louis Park | Marketing Campaign of the Year (destination) | |||
| Ride the Range | One Minnesota Award | |||
Thank you to our conference sponsors:
