Industry News
Industry News provides weekly news and tips for the people who market Minnesota and its destinations.
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April 13, 2026 |
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| Thomas Dambo Trolls, Detroit Lakes / Photo Credit:Paul Vincent |
Register for Tourism Reimagined: When Creative Risk Sparks Real Growth Webinar
Join Explore Minnesota on April 21 at 11 a.m. for Tourism Reimagined: When Creative Risk Sparks Real Growth, our next Continuing Education Series webinar.
This story-forward webinar explores how thoughtfully-taken creative risks can become a powerful growth engine for communities ready to stand out.
Attend GetYourGuide Webinar to Drive Online Bookings
GreatLakes USA and GetYourGuide — the leading global marketplace for travel experiences — have teamed up to show you how to effortlessly connect with high-value travelers actively searching for Great Lakes experiences.
Join us for GetYourGuide webinar on Thursday, April 23, at 10 a.m. to learn how to capture more of the growing international tourism demand for the Great Lakes region.
If you have questions, please contact Brenda Maas at 651-757-1886 or brenda.maas@state.mn.us.
Register to Attend ORIP Local Outreach Event in Brainerd on April 28
The Minnesota Outdoor Recreation Industry Partnership (ORIP) is hosting an outreach event in Brainerd on April 28, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Brainerd Public Library. The event is free and open to outdoor recreation businesses, economic development professionals, policymakers, and community stakeholders across the region.
Participants will get an inside look at the latest Minnesota Outdoor Recreation Economic Impact Report and can weigh in on ideas for a 4-Year Strategic Roadmap for Minnesota’s outdoor industry. The event is part of ORIP’s ongoing effort to engage stakeholders across the state in shaping the future of outdoor recreation in Minnesota.
RSVP is requested. Register now.
Register Now to Attend a Regional Roundtable Discussion
Explore Minnesota invites all tourism and travel-related businesses, organizations, and community partners in Minnesota to participate in our 2026 Regional Roundtables. These 90-minute conversational sessions are designed to foster collaboration, share insights, and strengthen Minnesota’s tourism industry together.
Why Attend?
- Stay Informed: Hear the latest updates from Explore Minnesota.
- Share Your Perspective: Your input helps shape initiatives that benefit Minnesota’s tourism, hospitality, film and outdoor industries.
- Build Connections: Network with industry leaders, regional representatives, and fellow tourism professionals.
- Collaborate for Growth: Work together to advance welcoming experiences and grow Minnesota’s economy.
Register for a Regional Roundtable in your region:
- Northeast Roundtable: Monday, Apr. 27, 2026, at 1 p.m. at the Minnesota Discovery Center in Chisholm.
- Northwest Roundtable: Tuesday, Apr. 28, 2026, at 1 p.m. at the Loft Event Center in Bemidji.
- Central Roundtable: Wednesday, Apr. 29, 2026, at 1 p.m. at the Legacy of the Lakes Museum in Alexandria.
- Metro Roundtable: Monday, May 4, 2026, at 1 p.m. at the Cambria Suites Hotel in Maple Grove.
- Southern Roundtable: Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 1 p.m. at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center in Mankato.
Tell Us Your Plans For National Travel and Tourism Week
National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) returns May 3-9 focusing on the power of travel to our national and statewide economies, hospitality and tourism workforce and benefits to communities.
Tell us what you are doing for National Travel and Tourism Week; send us an email at: questions.exploreminnesota@state.mn.us.
Watch Industry News for Explore Minnesota’s industry toolkit, which will include resources such as a press release template, sample social media posts and Mayoral Proclamations for stakeholders and potential visitors, to help you participate in #NTTW26 and share the power of travel message.
2027 Explore Minnesota Travel Guide Early Bird Pricing Available
Reservations are open for the official 2027 Travel Guide! Reach highly qualified travelers who are using the guide as inspiration to plan their trips and make decisions about what to see and do while they are in the state.
Get details on new ad sizes, digital packages and early-bird pricing in the media kit or contact Sebrina Sebrina.Williams@MilesPartnership.com. Reserve your spot by May 16 to secure the early bird rate.
View the media kit to learn more.
Explore Minnesota and Special Olympics Team Up for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games
The Special Olympics and Explore Minnesota are joining forces to promote the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. Join us in creating an uplifting, unforgettable event that champions a more inclusive world! The Games are officially calling on all champions—enthusiastic, reliable, and team-oriented individuals—to help produce the largest humanitarian event in Minnesota history, taking place June 20–26.
This national celebration will bring together nearly 3,000 athletes, 1,500 coaches, and 75,000 fans representing all 50 states. Competitions will be held at the University of Minnesota and the National Sports Center, showcasing remarkable athletic talent across 16 Olympic-style sports. From basketball courts to swimming lanes, your support helps drive meaningful change, that transforms lives and strengthens communities. This high-impact initiative fuels a spirit of inclusion, celebrates the power of determination, and elevates Minnesota’s reputation as a premier destination that champions the “Inclusion Revolution”. It’s an open invitation for the world to think, feel, and act differently about ability.
Through this collaboration, the partners will amplify the experience with integrated support across social media, digital platforms, email marketing, and more—ensuring visitors not only attend the games but fully immerse themselves in all Minnesota has to offer. From unforgettable moments of triumph on the field to vibrant cultural, culinary, and outdoor experiences across the state, this is more than an event—it’s a destination.
Come for the games. Stay for the experience. Cheer loud. Celebrate big. Be part of something unforgettable.
If you have questions about this partnership, please contact Glori Woolley at glori.woolley@state.mn.us or 651-757-1869.
View the FY26 Explore Minnesota Partnerships.
UMN Empowering Small MN Communities Program Now Accepting Applications
The Empowering Small Minnesota Communities (ESMC) program is now accepting applications for round 3 of support. Supported by the Minnesota Legislature, the ESMC program enables the University of Minnesota to support small Minnesota communities and local government units by providing additional capacity to develop resilient, sustainable, and adaptable infrastructure projects.
Email your ESMC team contact to schedule a meeting to confirm eligibility, discuss the proposed project, and determine how the ESMC program can assist the community or communities involved. Complete a general ESMC Round 3 Intake Form and submit no later than the April 30 deadline.
Questions? Please reach out to sutto364@umn.edu or 507-258-8774 or learn more online.
Upcoming Industry Webinars
- StackAdapt, The Personalization Gap: What Advanced Marketers Do Differently, April 14, 10 a.m. CST
- On24, 7 Ways to Avoid a Boring Webinar, April 14, 1 p.m. CST
- Cvent, Your Top Event Trends for 2026, April 16, 1 p.m. CST
- MarketingProfs, Customer Experience Friday Forum, April 17, 10:30 a.m. CST
- StackAdapt, The Brand Renaissance in B2B, April 23, 1 p.m. CST