National Travel and Tourism Week, recognized since 1983, just concluded. In Minneapolis, we enjoy a steady recovery, even if it hasn’t happened as quickly as in other destinations. Meet Minneapolis and our partners continue to exhibit resilience and resolve. We celebrate the record-breaking industry performance that propels and motivates us. For example:

• The 10,036 hotel rooms occupied on Tuesday, May 7 were an all-time high for Minneapolis hotels, surpassing the 9,991 mark set on March 5, 2024
• On Tuesday, May 7, hotel occupancy in Minneapolis was 97.7% – the highest since Oct. 10, 2019 (97.9%).
• The 29,288 hotel rooms occupied from Monday-Wednesday, May 6-8, were the second-most all-time in a 3-day span in Minneapolis, trailing only the 29,351 mark set on March 4-6, 2024 (29,351).
• The 50,975 hotel rooms occupied from Sunday-Saturday, May 5-11, were the seventh-most since 2020 (post-pandemic).
• Minneapolis hotels recorded more than $11.5 million in total guest room revenue from May 5-11, an increase of more than 41% from the same week in 2023.

These records are particularly notable as our hotel room supply has grown 17% since the Super Bowl in 2018. With more inventory, we will continue to break hotel room consumption records.

We also celebrate the heroes of our local tourism and hospitality industry year-round but even more prominently during National Travel and Tourism Week. Meet Minneapolis is pleased to recognize the following groups and individuals:

Lifetime Achievement Award

Lisa Goodman, Minneapolis' longest-serving councilmember, dedicated 26 years to representing Ward 7. First elected in 1997 and reelected six times, she was steadfast in her work to ensure the success of downtown Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Convention Center. In addition, Goodman performed a key role in the development of the Meet Minneapolis Visitor Center, the redevelopment of Peavey Plaza and Nicollet Mall, as well as the creation of Hennepin Theatre Trust.

Innovation in Tourism Award

This year’s shared winners are a trio of food and drink destinations in the Prospect Park neighborhood which have greatly enhanced what Minneapolis has to offer to locals and visitors.

The Market at Malcolm Yards is a vibrant food hall and gathering place, featuring nine culinary concepts, a bar serving craft cocktails and a self-pour tap-wall.

O’Shaughnessy Distilling Co. put Minneapolis on the map in the whiskey world with the creation of a state-of-the-art destination distillery producing award-winning Irish American whiskeys by acclaimed Master Distiller Brian Nation.

One of the top destination breweries in the nation, Surly Brewing Co. was instrumental in allowing beer enthusiasts, locals, and tourists to indulge in finely crafted homegrown brews across Minnesota.

Excellence in Meetings, Events & Conventions Award

With Empowered Events, the Midwest Poultry Federation (MPF) has met annually in Minneapolis since 2018 and is committed to staying in Minneapolis through at least 2030. Each year, attendance at MPF’s premier event – PEAK – grows. In 2024, Minneapolis welcomed nearly 3,000 MPF attendees as they convened at the Minneapolis Convention Center in April.

In addition to the annual awards, Meet Minneapolis recognizes members of the Minneapolis tourism and hospitality community, nominated by their colleagues, for their valuable contributions to the image and culture of our city through outstanding hospitality and service. These individuals are presented with the Meet Minneapolis Hospitality Hero award. Following are the most recent recipients:

• 2023 Q1: Amy Kettner, Hyatt Regency Minneapolis
• 2023 Q2: Carol Hof, Hilton Minneapolis
• 2023 Q3: Patrick Fitzgerald, D’Amico Catering
• 2023 Q4: Madison Sauke, Hotel Indigo
• 2024 Q1: Ricky Thompson, Renee’s Limousines

These individuals epitomize the professionalism we need in order to provide the high-level guest experiences that encourage return visits.

Please join Meet Minneapolis in celebrating our industry’s growth, recovery and, most importantly, the tourism and hospitality professionals who keep the promises we make to visitors.