Industry News provides weekly news and tips for the people who market Minnesota tourism.
February 10, 2025 |
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Stone Arch Bridge in Winter, Minneapolis / Photo Credit: Ryan Taylor |
The Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference will be held next week at the Minneapolis Convention Center on Tuesday, Feb. 18 and Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025.
This 1-½ day educational conference includes a lineup of tourism and hospitality industry experts delivering timely and thought-provoking topics relevant to today’s travel industry. Attending the in-person event is $250 per person. Space is limited, so secure your registration today!
For in-person attendees, Meet Minneapolis welcomes all conference attendees to “Winterapolis,” a host city networking reception at the Seasons Lounge directly following the first day of conference programming. Join fellow attendees on the second level of the Minneapolis Convention Center on Tuesday, February 18, from 5-6:30 p.m. for light appetizers, beverages and networking.
View the full conference schedule and register online.
The Market Development team attended the American Bus Association conference on Feb. 1-3 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Staff held approximately 40 appointments with group tour planners and operators from around the country.
Watch for leads to be shared in the coming weeks. If you have questions or would like further information on this event or other market development activities, please contact Brenda Maas, Market Development Representative, at brenda.maas@state.mn.us or 651-757-1886.
Now is the time to add your March events to ExploreMinnesota.com to have them considered for inclusion in various Explore Minnesota communications.
Log into the Explore Minnesota extranet to update or create new listings for your March and St. Patrick's Day Celebrations by Feb. 28.
Please note that submitting an image with your event listing increases the likelihood of your event being featured in an upcoming newsletter or social media post.
For technical assistance, contact our extranet team at tourism@state.mn.us.
Update your listing on the Explore Minnesota extranet.
The Hospitality Minnesota Vendor Expo and Social will be held on Monday, April 14, at the Saint Paul RiverCentre.
Are you looking to grow your network, introduce your products and services, or reconnect with key decision-makers? This event allows you to meet, collaborate, and discover the latest innovations in the hospitality industry.
Who Should Attend?
Register today to secure your spot.
The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) will host its Foundations trail workshops in Minnesota during 2025, with sessions planned for Winona in the spring and Duluth in the fall.
These workshops aim to help create model mountain biking communities by teaching participants about trail planning, design, building, and promotion. This is a fantastic opportunity for local communities interested in building new trails for public enjoyment and economic impact.
Learn more about the IMBA program and workshops.
The Minnesota Humanities Center is offering grants of up to $50,000 to individuals and organizations that have a history of working with diverse cultural communities to support community events, music and jazz festivals, or cultural festivals for art installations, music, and other performances and activities that support festivals and events.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through May 30.
For more details and application instructions, visit the website.