Industry News

Industry News provides weekly news and tips for the people who market Minnesota and its destinations.

Subscribe for e-mail updates

 

October 20, 2025
Giant pumpkin at the Stillwater Harvest Festival / Photo Credit: Thomas Wieland
Giant pumpkin at the Stillwater Harvest Festival / Photo Credit: Thomas Wieland
 
 

Register to Attend Off-Season Product Development Webinar

The second session in the fall Explore Minnesota Continuing Education Series will feature Off-Season Product Development and occur at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 21. This webinar is free to attend, but advance registration is required to receive the link to join.

Speakers Dr. Kristin Lamoureux from Virginia Tech and Simon Jones, founder of TourismWORKS and NatureScapes, will explore strategies for building tourism products that thrive outside peak seasons.

Register for the Off-Season Product Development webinar now.

 

Add Your Luminary, Holiday, and Winter Events to ExploreMinnesota.com

The holidays are right around the corner. To have your luminary, holiday or winter events considered for inclusion in various Explore Minnesota communications, log into the Explore Minnesota extranet to update and/or create new listings by Friday, Nov. 7.

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.

 

Join the Explore Minnesota Leisure Group Market Meeting 

Explore Minnesota will hold a meeting about initiatives and opportunities in the leisure group market on Wednesday, Nov. 12, between 3 and 4 p.m. Whether you are active or interested in the group tour market, please join us in person at the Explore Minnesota office or virtually via Teams.  

Explore Minnesota’s office address is: 121 7th Place East, St. Paul, MN 55101. We are located on the 3rd floor, suite 360. Please note: Downtown St. Paul roads outside of our building are currently under construction. Please allow yourself enough time to navigate these necessary but sometimes challenging upgrades.  

If attending in person, please email Brenda Maas at brenda.maas@state.mn.us or join the conversation via TEAMS here.  

 

Industry Partners Invited to Participate with Explore Minnesota at U.S. Travel’s IPW 2026 

Explore Minnesota invites the industry to join us at U.S. Travel’s IPW, May 17 – 21, 2026, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. IPW is the United States' largest international inbound travel trade show. This opportunity comprises a shared booth and shared appointment schedule during the trade show.

The cost per partner is dependent upon overall industry participation and is being subsidized by Explore Minnesota. Space is limited to three (3) partner organizations. Explore Minnesota will invoice the total cost at the time of commitment. The deadline for commitment is Nov. 5.  

If you are interested, please contact Jen Schak, Market Development Manager, at jennifer.schak@state.mn.us for more information.    

 

Showcase Your Community by Listing Your Film-Ready Locations

Local communities and property owners play a key role in attracting film production. Do you have locations to list in Explore Minnesota’s film-ready Location Guide? We are seeking a variety of settings: prairies and plains, farms and barns, bluffs and rock formations, forests, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, lighthouses, charming main streets and small towns, urban areas, industrial warehouses, college campuses, epic driving routes, and unique terrain. In addition, empty or unused buildings—such as former post offices, schools, and jails—can double as film sets, making them especially valuable to productions.

List your locations in the Minnesota Location Database to showcase the diversity your area has to offer. By adding your locations, you help filmmakers see the possibilities in your community while creating economic opportunities and building visibility for your local businesses and attractions.

Submit your locations.

 

Apply to be a Mentor at the 2026 Tourism Conference or Apply for a Scholarship

Minnesota’s post-secondary students and members of Tribal Nations are eligible to receive complimentary registration to the 2026 Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference through the Scholarship Program.  

Tourism professionals are eligible to receive complimentary registration by volunteering as a mentor through our Mentorship Program. 

Those attending through the Scholarship or Mentorship Program will receive complimentary registration and mileage reimbursement. Please use the links below for details, eligibility requirements and application.

The deadline to apply for Scholarship and Mentorship programs is Friday, Nov. 7.   

 

Submit a Nomination for the Explore Minnesota Tourism Awards 

Celebrate the best of Minnesota tourism by submitting a nomination for the Explore Minnesota Tourism Awards. Help us celebrate the outstanding people, marketing and initiatives that make Minnesota a premier travel destination. 

Awards include: 

  • Outstanding Marketing Campaign

  • Social Media Excellence 

  • Outstanding Video 

  • Best Destination Website 

  • One Minnesota Award 

  • Emerging Leader 

The eligibility period for each award is Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2025. Awards will be presented at the 2026 Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference. Nominations are open through Dec. 12.  

Learn more and submit your nominations. 

 

Sponsor the 2026 Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference 

Conference sponsorships are a fantastic opportunity to promote your brand while connecting with hundreds of tourism and industry professionals from across the state. Sponsorships are available on a first-come, first-served basis and must be paid in full by Jan. 9, 2026.

Sponsored brand activations and additional visibility opportunities may also be available at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center during this event. To learn more, please contact Kari Brumback at 612-513-8898 or kari.brumback@state.mn.us.  

Reserve a Sponsorship Now. 

 

Upcoming Industry Webinars   


Connect with Explore Minnesota

Add Your Event  Update or Create your Listing  Tell Us What's New