http://www.startribune.com/meet-minneapolis-says-tourism-hit-record-in-2018/511521322/

The Minneapolis-area welcomed a record 34.5 million visitors in 2018, up 3.7 percent from 2017, according to tourism-research firm DK Shifflet and Meet Minneapolis, the not-for-profit association that markets the area as a destination for conventions and meetings.

Meet Minneapolis said visitors spent $8 billion, up 3.3 %.

“Whether it’s a convention at the Minneapolis Convention Center that brings in thousands of attendees, or a marquee sporting event, our goal is to support the economic well-being of our workers and to show off all of our city’s great assets and amenities.” said Meet Minneapolis President and CEO Melvin Tennant.