In recent years, there have been multiple efforts to create and sustain such homegrown events in the Minneapolis region. Our region is blessed to be home to numerous events that celebrate sports, arts and culture, and the many dimensions of diversity and civic pride. There remains, however, a consistent call for an event that would be our South by Southwest (but better) – known by its trendier moniker, SXSW. According to its organizers, SXSW was founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, and “has emerged as the premier destination for creatives across the globe.” Austin knew it had something special, yet under recognized in its now legendary live music culture and the ancillary benefits that music attracts.

Our region’s deep and diverse health and wellness culture helped to shape the thinking that led to the creation of the Manova Summit. In its second year, Manova is an annual three-day event that explores the best ideas and innovations across the health landscape and gathers over 1,000 international thought leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs and senior executives. The event will take place October 14-16 at the Depot Minneapolis.

In the organization’s own words, Manova is “three days of innovation, inspiration and provocative stories of discovery from leaders on the frontier of health and wellness. All with the common goal of progress in global health.”

From the disappointment of Minnesota missing out on receiving the nod for Expo 2023, a specialized exhibition produced by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), came part of the inspiration for Manova. Minnesota’s Expo 2023 bid had the theme of “Healthy People, Healthy Planet: Wellness and Well Being for All.” This theme embodies the magnitude of a statewide health and wellness industry that employs more and a half million Minnesotans by more than 1,000 companies according to the Medical Alley Association.

The leaders behind the Manova Summit are Mark Addicks, Kathy Tunheim and Arick Wierson. Mark serves as the CEO of Manova and was Chief Marketing Officer for General Mills for 26 years. Kathy Tunheim is the founder of Tunheim Communications and is pillar in the area of public affairs and corporate communications. Kathy is also a former board member of Meet Minneapolis. Arick Wierson is a nationally renowned columnist for CNN, the Observer, CNBC and Vice. Kathy and Mark recently briefed the Meet Minneapolis board of directors on this year’s Manova Summit.

Overarching themes for the 2019 event include such issues as muting communicable diseases, reimagining aging, changing cancer, and digital health.

Meet Minneapolis is a strong supporter of the Manova Summit and not just as another major annual event we can welcome with pride. We believe in its mission and its manifestation of one of our community’s major attributes, excellence and innovation in health in wellness.

For information on participating in the Manova Summit, please go to: www.manovasummit.com. In addition, we’re able to provide you with discount codes to attend all or part of this year’s summit.

• Discount code for $50 off the purchase of a 2019 Manova Summit general admission one-day pass: MEET50

• Discount code for $150 off the purchase of a 2019 Manova Summit general admission three-day pass: MEET150

• Discount code for $200 off the purchase of a 2019 Manova Summit premier (VIP) three-day pass: MEET200

This offer is limited to the first 100 individuals and the deadline to register, using one of these codes, is September 30.