Minneapolis (May 7, 2026) – Minneapolis is a city shaped by the people who pour their passion into it – the chefs pushing culinary boundaries, the advocates building more inclusive communities, and the event visionaries who turn a convention or a dinner into something unforgettable. During National Travel and Tourism Week, Meet Minneapolis is proud to shine a spotlight on this year's annual award recipients. These awards honor individuals, meeting planners, businesses, organizations, and/or groups for their contributions to tourism and hospitality in Minneapolis.

“Our honorees represent the innovation, dedication and collaborative spirit that power Minneapolis’ tourism and hospitality industry and its 30,000-plus workers,” said Melvin Tennant, President and CEO of Meet Minneapolis. “Each of them plays a vital role in shaping how visitors experience our city, and together they help define Minneapolis as a dynamic, resilient and welcoming destination for meetings, events and travel.”

Meet Minneapolis is pleased to recognize the following individuals and groups:

Excellence in Meetings, Events & Conventions Award – Highlights an individual, institution or organization that positively impacts the city for future years.

• The Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) has had a lasting impact on Minneapolis through its long-standing commitment to hosting exceptional events in the city. For more than 30 years, MSBA has brought its Annual Leadership Conference to the Minneapolis Convention Center, convening thousands of school board members, administrators and education partners from across Minnesota. This sustained investment not only fosters meaningful dialogue around the future of education but also generates lasting economic and community impact for our city.

Innovation in Tourism Award – Presented to an individual or organization that contributes to the advancement of the tourism and hospitality community which impacts the destination’s visitors and attendees.

• Travail Collective has redefined the dining experience in the Minneapolis area through bold creativity and immersive hospitality concepts that draw visitors from near and far. A pillar of the local dining scene since 2010, the group was founded by chef-owners and James Beard Award semifinalists Mike Brown, Bob Gerken and James Winberg. Travail Collective brings a diverse portfolio of concepts to life – from elevated tasting menus and neighborhood dining to craft beer and cocktails, pizza, ice cream and more. Their commitment to inventive dining and experiential storytelling continues to elevate Minneapolis as a must-visit destination for culinary exploration. The Travail Collective includes Dream Creamery, Graze Food Hall by Travail, Italian Eatery by Travail, Pig Ate My Pizza + Nouvelle Brewery, Stargazer, and Travail Kitchen & Amusements.

Richard Copeland Social Impact Award – Honors leadership that creates meaningful and lasting change in our community. Presented to an individual, institution or organization demonstrating an ongoing commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and access, especially in support of entrepreneurship among Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC). This award is named for Richard Copeland, a former Meet Minneapolis board officer and trailblazer who believed in building a more equitable future for all.

• The Lake Street Council has provided steadfast leadership in advancing equity, inclusion and economic opportunity along one of Minneapolis’ most culturally rich corridors. The organization fosters economic vitality and amplifies Lake Street's vibrancy to create a thriving and livable commercial corridor. As a champion for local businesses – particularly those owned by immigrants and BIPOC individuals – the Lake Street Council has played a vital role in supporting entrepreneurs, strengthening community resilience and recovery, and driving inclusive growth. Through advocacy, technical assistance and collaborative partnerships, their ongoing commitment continues to create meaningful, lasting change and a more equitable future for Minneapolis.

President’s Award – Presented to an individual or organization that contributes significantly to the visitor experience of Minneapolis.

• A prominent Twin Cities-based food and dining writer and editor, Stephanie March is widely recognized for her extensive coverage of local restaurants and chefs, culinary trends and recipes. In early 2026, she co-founded The Salt Cure Restaurant Recovery Fund, a community-led initiative supporting Minnesota restaurants through emergency relief grants during times of crisis. Via a partnership with the Minneapolis Foundation, the Salt Cure Fund was created to help preserve the state’s independent restaurant community and strengthen the broader hospitality ecosystem. Through her journalism, storytelling and advocacy, March is a leading voice in Minnesota’s culinary landscape, helping position Minneapolis as a vibrant and dynamic destination for visitors while championing the people and places that define it.

Lifetime Achievement Award

• Scott Mayer has made enduring contributions to Minnesota’s meetings, events and hospitality community. As the owner of an event production, fundraising and travel business, Mayer has built a career centered on bringing people together in meaningful and impactful ways. He is the founder of Doors Open Minneapolis, a widely celebrated initiative that invites the public to explore the city’s iconic and behind-the-scenes spaces. Mayer is also the visionary behind last year’s inaugural edition of Dinner du Nord, a one-of-a-kind open-air dining experience that showcased Minnesota’s rich hospitality community while creating meaningful connections among chefs, servers, restaurateurs and guests. Throughout his career, Mayer has been a respected leader and collaborator, known for elevating the role of events in building strong, united communities.

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. The following are the most recent recipients:

• 2025 Q2: Scott Larson, Gray Line Tours Minnesota/Schmitty & Sons
• 2025 Q3: Mo Hassan, Delta Hotels Minneapolis Northeast
• 2025 Q4: Autumn Smith, The Buttered Tin
• 2026 Q1: Craig Stuck, Stock & Bond

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ABOUT MEET MINNEAPOLIS
Meet Minneapolis is a private, not-for-profit, member-based association. It actively promotes and sells the Minneapolis area as a destination for conventions and meetings, works to maximize the visitor experience and markets the city as a desirable tourist destination to positively impact the economic and social prosperity of the Minneapolis community. Meet Minneapolis is accredited by the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) of Destinations International.

MEDIA CONTACTS
Kevin Kurtt, PR Manager, (o) 612-767-8118, (c) 952-288-9319, kevink@minneapolis.org
Kristen Montag, Senior PR Manager, (o) 612-767-8038, (c) 651-335-5754, kristenm@minneapolis.org