Minneapolis (Jan. 4, 2024) ― Today, Meet Minneapolis publicly named Christy Loy as the organization’s next Senior Vice President of Destination Sales. Currently the general manager of the Canopy by Hilton Minneapolis Mill District, she will replace Brent Foerster who is retiring from Meet Minneapolis after 10 years in the role. Loy will officially join the Meet Minneapolis team on Feb. 1.

“Christy's extensive background in the hospitality industry, particularly in hotel management and sales, aligns perfectly with the key responsibilities of this role,” said Meet Minneapolis President and CEO Melvin Tennant. “She will be instrumental in developing innovative sales strategies and expanding key relationships, ensuring that our tourism industry continues to thrive and grow.”

“As a local travel and hospitality leader, a city resident and a Minneapolis evangelist, I am intimately attuned to the critical role our destination sales efforts play in our tourism ecosystem,” stated Loy. “I am excited to contribute to the sales, development and strategic planning of Meet Minneapolis to drive revenue growth and expand market share by telling our bold and diverse story. For me, it’s a mission not a job.”

In addition to her current role at the Canopy by Hilton Minneapolis Mill District, Loy’s long tenure in the hotel industry includes past general manager roles with Minneapolis hotels such as W Minneapolis - The Foshay and Le Meridien Chambers. Prior to that, she served as the multi-site general manager for dual lifestyle hotel brands Aloft & Element Boston Seaport. In all, Loy has spent more than 20 years in the hotel industry.

Locally, Loy has deep connections with the tourism and hospitality community through roles leading the Greater Minneapolis Hotel Association and serving as the Secretary/Treasurer of the board of Meet Minneapolis.

“A national search firm was utilized, and a selection committee of current board members and key stakeholders viewed her hotel leadership experience and drive for building organizational culture and inclusion as significant factors in selecting Christy,” added Tennant. “Her passion and expertise align with our mission to drive economic and social prosperity for our city by attracting visitors, meetings, and events. I am excited to have Christy join an already stellar team.”

“I know experiences make memories. People do business with people they like. And Minneapolis is still an undiscovered treasure for many people in the world,” said Loy. “I look forward to working with the Meet Minneapolis team to bring even more meetings and events, large conventions and key sporting events to our city – and to be the destination of choice for tens of millions of travelers in the years to come.”

To allow for a seamless transition of this key leadership role, Foerster will continue with the organization through March 1.

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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 maximize the economic benefit to the greater Minneapolis area. Meet Minneapolis is accredited by the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) of Destinations International.

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MEDIA CONTACTS
Kathy McCarthy, Senior PR Director, o 612-767-8048, c 612-508-9720, KathyM@minneapolis.org
Kevin Kurtt, PR Manager, o 612-767-8118, c 952-288-9319, KevinK@minneapolis.org