MN Tourism Conference to be held in Rochester

With continuing, modest growth in travel projected for 2012, the annual Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference, to be held January 24-25 at Kahler Grand Hotel in Rochester, will feature a variety of strategies to attract visitors. Governor Mark Dayton will address the conference on Wednesday.

"There's renewed consumer interest in leisure, group and international travel, and the tourism industry is looking ahead to a year of gradual improvement" explains John Edman, director of Explore Minnesota Tourism, the state's travel promotion office. "The conference is an opportunity for those who work for tourism businesses and organizations to exchange ideas and get inspired. Explore Minnesota works closely with the tourism industry, developing partnerships to grow travel sales and jobs throughout the state."

The 2012 "More to Explore" advertising campaign and other marketing programs will be introduced. To prepare the Minnesota tourism industry to make the most of the recovering economy and growing travel market, the conference will also focus on strategies for developing new business, including marketing through new social media, drawing visitors through special events and deals, attracting visitors to trails, and working effectively with travel media.

Major speakers include Stan Gadek, CEO of Sun Country Airlines; Dave Serino of Think! Social Media; and Stevie Ray, corporate trainer and columnist for the Business Journal Newspapers. On Tuesday evening, the Explore Minnesota Awards Banquet will honor several individuals for their contributions to the tourism industry and several organizations for their outstanding marketing programs.

The conference draws participants from Minnesota's diverse tourism industry, including chambers of commerce, convention and visitors bureaus, museums and other attractions, hotels, resorts and other lodging businesses. See industry.exploreminnesota.com for the complete conference agenda and registration information.

the new Minnesota Grown Directory!

ST. PAUL, Minn. – If it says “Minnesota Grown,” it’s gotta be good. Plan now to pick up your free copy of the 2011 Minnesota Grown Directory packed with hundreds of places to find great locally grown foods. The 30th Anniversary edition makes it convenient to locate orchards, farmers’ markets, berry farms and garden centers where you can purchase products directly from the grower.

The cover of the directory features Minnesota Grown spokesperson Carrie Tollefson who grew up in rural Minnesota. Tollefson is a staunch supporter of Minnesota agriculture and eating locally.

“As an Olympic runner, I want the freshest, healthiest foods I can find,” says Tollefson. “These foods are easy to find in the Minnesota Grown Directory and buying them locally is also a great way to support Minnesota’s hardworking farmers.”

Tollefson says she’s proud to be part of the 30-year history of the Minnesota Grown Directory, a promotion that began long before buying local became the trend it is today.

More than 190,000 copies of the free guide are distributed by tourist information centers, farms, libraries, real estate agents, retailers, and other supporters of local growers. The printed directory is made possible by the participation of more than 900 listed growers, more than 20 advertising sponsors, and repeated cover sponsorship by the Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU).

A complimentary copy of the Minnesota Grown Directory may be ordered by calling Explore Minnesota Tourism at 1-888-VISITMN (1-888-847-4866). The guide is also offered online as a searchable database on the Minnesota Grown website at www.minnesotagrown.com.