Industry News
Industry News provides weekly news and tips for the people who market Minnesota and its destinations.
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June 15, 2026 |
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| Dino Hideout at the Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley / Photo Credit: Minnesota Zoo |
Save the date: 2027 Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference
The 2027 Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference will be a full two-day program, taking place at the Saint Paul RiverCentre on Wednesday, Jan. 27, and Thursday, Jan. 28, 2027.
More information on the schedule and programming, along with registration and sponsorship, will be coming soon.
Save the date to your calendar.
Register to Join Market Development’s Annual Meeting
Explore Minnesota’s Market Development team will host an annual meeting on Tuesday, July 21, from 10 – 11:00 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.
Join Us for the 2026 Outdoor Industry Summit
Registration is open for the 2026 Outdoor Industry Summit which will take place on Thursday, Sept. 24, from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Hyland Hills Chalet in Bloomington. Early risers can join an optional morning hike of the Highland Hills Trails starting at 9 a.m.
This year’s summit features four panel learning sessions built around the theme of connectivity, exploring how relationships between businesses, communities, trails, and people power Minnesota’s outdoor recreation economy. The day also includes lunch, networking break and the inaugural Minnesota Outdoor Industry Awards Ceremony.
Registration fee is $25 per person. Space is limited; register now.
Tee Up for Global Exposure and Update Your Explore Minnesota Listing
As Minnesota prepares to welcome a global audience for the upcoming KPMG Women’s PGA Championship this month—and looks ahead to the 2029 Ryder Cup—now is the time to ensure your golf course is accurately represented on ExploreMinnesota.com. Thousands of visitors will be actively researching where to play, stay, and explore. For many, your FREE listing on exploreminnesota.com is their first impression; make sure it showcases the very best your course has to offer. Log into the extranet to create, review and refresh your listing:
- Confirm all contact and course information is current
- Add or update amenities
- Ensure accessibility features are clearly listed
- Upload high-quality photos—listings with images receive significantly more views
Fresh, visually engaging content not only inspires travelers but also boosts visibility in search results and increases engagement. Updated listings are far more likely to convert interest into booked tee times, especially during high-profile events that introduce new audiences to Minnesota golf.
If you have any questions or need technical assistance, please contact Anne Paterson at anne.paterson@state.mn.us or 651-539-5103.
Secure a Spot in an Explore Minnesota Newsletter
Explore Minnesota newsletters reach a highly qualified, opt-in audience with content designed to inspire engagement. 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 that appears as immersive, editorial-style content, 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.
Share Your Story with Custom Content and our Social Media Audiences
In today’s AI-driven world with summaries leading to site traffic declines, especially for transactional information,, 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.
Schedule time with Sebrina.Williams@MilesPartnership.com to learn more about which options can support your business goals. Pricing information and more details are available in the media kit.
Submit Your Summer Fun Events on the Great River Road
There's still time to submit events for inclusion in our Summer Fun on the Great River Road campaign.
We're seeking events from state commissions, destination marketing and tourism organizations, interpretive centers, chambers of commerce, community organizations, and event organizers.
Events should take place within counties that include a segment of the Great River Road or border the Mississippi River. When possible, please include a photo to enhance promotional opportunities.
Submit your events through the online calendar submission form.
Save the Date for 2026 Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference
Save the date for the University of Minnesota Extension’s Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference for Sept. 17 and 18 in St. Joseph.
Entrepreneurs help create Minnesota's future. This Conference brings together community champions, entrepreneurship enablers, economic development professionals, entrepreneurs, and business leaders.
Upcoming Industry Webinars
- SEJ Live, The AI Search Playbook, June 17, 11 a.m. CST
- Stran Promotional Solutions, You’re Not Asking Enough of Your Merch, June 18, 1 p.m. CST
- Meltwater, Trust in the Age of Generative AI, June 25, Noon CST
- StackAdapt, Cross-Channel Attribution That Drives Growth, June 25, 1 p.m. CST
- MarketingProfs, Training AI on Your Brand, June 26, 10 a.m. CST