Industry News

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

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December 29, 2025
Doc's Harbor Inn Hockey Rink, Warroad / Photo Credit: Andrew Fisher
Doc's Harbor Inn Hockey Rink, Warroad / Photo Credit: Andrew Fisher
 
 

Find Lodging and Transportation Options for the 2026 Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference 

Now is the time to start making plans to attend the 2026 Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference on Wednesday, Feb. 11 and Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center.  

There are numerous lodging options located near the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC). Click here for room block information at the participating hotels, then click on the hotel name to open details specific to that property. You can also find more places to stay at https://visitduluth.com/stay/. 

If you’re coming from the Metro area, Gray Line Twin Cities is offering a $99 round-trip shuttle to the conference in Duluth.

Learn more and register for the Conference and find lodging and transportation options now.

 

America 250: Share Your Community Events for Minnesota’s Celebration

On July 4, 2026, the United States will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, a historic milestone that reflects on our nation’s past, honors contributions from all Americans, and envisions the future we want to create.

Explore Minnesota is working to elevate celebrations happening across the state. This is an opportunity for Minnesota communities to showcase their unique history, culture, and creativity during this once-in-a-generation event.

How You Can Participate:

If your community is planning an America 250 event, we want to help share it with travelers and residents alike. Here’s how to submit your event:

Events will be tagged as part of America 250 and featured on a dedicated landing page, making it easy for visitors to find and join your celebration.

 

Explore Minnesota is Hiring Welcome Center Staff

Explore Minnesota is hiring for two positions at its Welcome Centers in Duluth and St. Croix. These positions are fun, fast-paced, non-traditional office setting that engages with visitors and promotes Minnesota travel and tourism opportunities to people from all over the world who stop into the Welcome Centers. Whether face-to-face, online, or on the telephone, our goal is to provide Minnesota tourism information in an easy-to-use format for expanding visitor itineraries.

The Thompson Hill Welcome Center, located in Duluth, is hiring for a Travel Counselor Team Lead. This position exists to provide travel information services and promote travel in Minnesota to the public and potential visitors. The on-site team lead position assists the Northern Welcome Center Supervisor in the daily operations of Thompson Hill Welcome Center.

The deadline to apply is Jan. 2, 2026. Learn more and apply online for CSS Int- Thompson Hill Travel Counselor – Job posting 90889. 

The St. Croix Welcome Center is hiring a Customer Service Specialist. This position exists to provide travel information services and to promote travel in Minnesota to the public and potential visitors to benefit the state’s economy. If you love interacting with new people and enjoy meeting world travelers, consider a new career at Explore Minnesota. This position is part-time, benefit-eligible, working 16 to 24 hours per week.

The deadline to apply is Jan. 6, 2026. Learn more and apply online for the Customer Service Specialist -  St. Croix Travel Counselor – Job Posting 91027.

 

Join the International and Leisure Group Market Update on Jan. 29 

Please join the Explore Minnesota’s Market Development team for a virtual meeting on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, at 10 a.m. 

We will share a mid-year update of the FY26 strategy and marketing tactics for international and leisure group market segments. Please register for this zoom meeting online in advance.   

If you have questions, please contact Brenda Maas at 651-787-1886 or brenda.maas@state.mn.us.  

 

Promote Your Events on ExploreMinnesota.com

Reach highly engaged travelers planning holiday activities across Minnesota with Featured Event Listings on the ExploreMinnesota.com calendar. With more than 9 million annual visitors, the site and its events calendar are among the most visited resources for trip planning.

Featured event listings give your event premium placement for an entire month, ensuring it stands out to travelers seeking things to do in Minnesota. Limited availability remains.

View examples and pricing in the media kit.

Contact Sebrina.Williams@MilesPartnership.com or call 773-616-8176 for details and to reserve your spot.

 

Advertise in Explore Minnesota Newsletters

Explore Minnesota newsletters reach a highly qualified audience with opt-in rates over 50% (5% above industry average) and open rates between 5-7%, double the industry average. You can choose from three themed newsletters - Explorer, Outdoors, and Events - to align with your message, or create a customized, brand-focused communication delivered to your preferred audience segment.

New this year is a Native ad option, featuring an image, headline, copy, and a website URL to drive visitation to your site.

Spots are limited. Contact Sebrina.Williams@MilesPartnership.com for details and to reserve your spot.

Learn more.

 

Save the Date for Destination Capitol Hill

Join U.S. Travel in Washington, D.C. from April 14 to 15, 2026, for Destination Capitol Hill (DCH), the leading advocacy event for the travel industry.

This event brings together hundreds of travel industry leaders to showcase the economic power of travel and advocate for policies that ensure America is prepared to seamlessly welcome millions of visitors during a historic decade of events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup, America250, and the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Event registration will open in early January. Separately, U.S. Travel will also host several invitation-only meetings for eligible members leading up to DCH on April 13 and 14. 

View the Schedule.

 

Minnesota State Parks Celebrate the New Year with First Day Hikes on Jan. 1

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is hosting First Day Hike events, on Thursday, Jan. 1 at 12 state parks in support of a nationwide effort to connect people to the outdoors. As part of the First Day Hikes initiative led by America’s State Parks, a national organization, hikers in all 50 states will welcome the new year with an outdoor hike, exercising and connecting with nature.

The DNR’s First Day Hikes will be held at:

  • Blue Mounds State Park, Luverne

  • Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park, Preston

  • Fort Snelling State Park, St. Paul

  • Jay Cooke State Park, Carlton

  • Lake Bemidji State Park, Bemidji

  • Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park, Soudan

  • Maplewood State Park, Pelican Rapids

  • Minneopa State Park, Mankato

  • Nerstrand Big Woods State Park, Nerstrand

  • Tettegouche State Park, Silver Bay

  • Whitewater State Park, Altura

  • William O’Brien State Park, Marine on St. Croix

Participants may snowshoe if the ground has enough snow cover. They can bring their own snowshoes or borrow a set from the state park (if available) at no charge.

There is no participation fee for First Day Hikes, but visitors need a vehicle permit ($7 per day or $35 for a year) to enter Minnesota state parks and recreation areas. Visitors can save time and purchase permits in advance on the DNR’s permit webpage or buy a permit in person during open hours at a state park ranger station.

Find more details about individual hikes on the DNR’s First Day Hikes webpage.

 

Registration Open for Virtual Regional Economic Conditions Conference

The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis invites you to join us for the ninth annual Regional Economic Conditions Conference on Friday, Jan. 9 at 9 a.m. CST.

The half-day conference will feature Xcel Energy’s Chairman, President, and CEO, Bob Frenzel, who will discuss the economic challenges and opportunities in the energy sector with Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari.

The conference will also feature presentations and panel discussions with representatives of each state in the Ninth Federal Reserve District, which includes Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, northwestern Wisconsin, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Register now.

 

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