Industry News
Industry News provides weekly news and tips for the people who market Minnesota and its destinations.
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July 6, 2026 |
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| Floatapalooza, Lake City / Photo Credit: Visit Lake City |
Explore Minnesota Launches "Star of the North" On Substack
Explore Minnesota is excited to announce Star of the North, our new newsletter on Substack. Substack is an interactive, social newsletter platform that allows us to expand the work of our Destinations project, which highlights the 11 unique micro-regions in Minnesota.
Our regular newsletter program will continue alongside this Substack, which will feature day trips, weekend trips, and "side quests" — encouraging visitors to explore more of our amazing state. Posts will have complementary social media tie-ins and over time will be syndicated to the Explore Minnesota website.
Get subscribed and stay tuned for our first two issues: a day trip to Austin and a weekend trip to the Northwest Angle!
Apply Now to Host the 2027 Minnesota Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener
Apply now to host the 2027 Minnesota Governor's Pheasant Hunting Opener (GPHO)! We are seeking proposals to host the GPHO on Oct. 8-9, 2027.
Through several high-visibility events specifically for outdoor and general media, the Minnesota Governor's Pheasant Opener helps elevate visitor awareness of the host community and creates a lasting local impact. Submit your proposal by Aug. 14 for consideration.
For more information about the Governor's Pheasant Hunting Opener, please contact Lisa Havelka at 507-389-2683 or lisa.havelka@state.mn.us.
Review the GPHO application and apply now.
Register to Attend Explore Minnesota Market Development’s Annual Meeting
Explore Minnesota’s Market Development team will host their annual meeting on Tuesday, July 21 at 10:00 a.m. The meeting will provide a review of FY2026 and outline FY2027 strategies for the international and leisure group tour segments.
Advanced registration is required; use this link. We look forward to seeing you on July 21. Contact Brenda Maas at brenda.maas@state.mn.us with questions.
U.S. Travel’s IPW Contact List & Meeting Notes Are Now Available
U.S. Travel’s IPW, the leading United States’ international inbound travel trade show, took place May 18 - 21, in Fort Lauderdale, FLA. As an exhibitor, Explore Minnesota conducted 136 scheduled appointments with travel trade, travel media, marketing and technology representatives from around the world.
To discuss international marketing or request the contact list and notes from this trade show, contact Jen Schak, Market Development Manager at jennifer.schak@state.mn.us.
Share Your Custom Content with Explore Minnesota Social Media Audiences
In today’s AI-driven world, where engines like Google’s Gemini are increasingly intercepting web traffic and replacing click-throughs, premium, immersive content matters more than ever. Position your brand where travelers are actively engaging with sponsored content on ExploreMinnesota.com or extend your reach through targeted social media on Facebook and Instagram.
Pricing information and more details are available in the media kit.
Schedule time with Sebrina.Williams@MilesPartnership.com to learn more about which options can support your business goals.
Promote Your Business on ExploreMinnesota.com
The Explore Minnesota website, which welcomed more than 9 million visitors in 2025, features new native advertising spots designed to create stronger results. Act now to ensure you have the opportunity to make a memorable connection with visitors looking to explore Minnesota.
Learn more about featured business listings.
Contact Sebrina.Williams@MilesPartnership.com for help designing a package that works for your budget and goals.
Register for Destinations International Annual Convention
Join 2,000+ destination marketing and management leaders in Portland, OR, on July 21-23 for the industry’s premier gathering of strategy, solutions, and peer connection at this year’s Destinations International Annual Convention.
This year’s Annual Convention brings together the leaders tackling today’s most pressing challenges and shaping what’s next for destination organizations. Over three high-impact days, you’ll engage with peers to redefine revenue growth, strengthen community trust, build resilient teams and deliver measurable results.
Set in a city known for bold thinking and purposeful innovation, the Annual Convention delivers practical insights, real-world case studies, and actionable takeaways you can implement immediately — alongside the connections that will support you long after you leave.
Register Now for U.S. Travel’s ESTO Conference
The U.S. Travel Association’s ESTO (Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations) is Aug. 25–27 and will take place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is the premier annual learning, networking, and strategy conference for destination marketing professionals.
ESTO 2026 brings you the trends everyone will be talking about next year, the insights you wish you had last year and the practical strategies you can actually use. Every session is built to spark bold ideas and keep you ahead of the competition.
US Travel Presents a Playbook for International Travel Professionals
Giving you the tools to welcome the world to America, this playbook equips travel professionals who work with international clients to address misperceptions, extend a confident welcome and facilitate smoother U.S. arrivals with research-backed messaging and adaptable resources.
Upcoming Industry Webinars
- Future Partners, The State of the American Traveler Survey Findings – July 2026, July 8, 2 p.m. CST
- OneMagnify + Optimizely, From Campaigns to Revenue: Rebuilding the B2B Digital Experience, July 9, 1 p.m. CST
- Cornell Cooperative Extension, 2026 Agritourism Monthly Webinar Series, July 14, noon CST
- MarketingProfs, Pipeline Growth & Alignment: Practical Playbooks for Unified Revenue Teams, July 17, 10:30 a.m. CST
- Snowflake, Inside the Modern Marketing Data Stack, July 23, noon CST