(MINNEAPOLIS)March 9, 2011Meet Minneapolis, Official Convention + Visitors Association, proudly announces the winners of its 2011 Annual Meeting awards, given out at the March 3, 2011, meeting at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Winners included the Minnesota Twins/Target Field, National Recreation & Park Association and Karen Gysin, formerly of the Walker Art Center.

The Coppertop Award was presented to the 2010 Host Committee for the National Recreation and Park Association. The award traditionally honors an individual, institution or organization whose efforts have resulted in a major convention coming to Minneapolis. The National Recreation & Park Association truly brought an exceptional vibe to downtown Minneapolis last year, and the exposure given to their events by the media and attendees helped build Minneapolis reputation as a year-round outdoor destination. This was the second time this group convened in Minneapolis the first meeting being in 1994. The award was accepted for the Host Committee by Jennifer Ringold.

The O.D. Gay Award was presented to the Minnesota Twins Organization and Target Field, and was accepted by Twins President Dave St. Peter (who also accepted on behalf of the Pohlad family), along with Mark Stenglein from Hennepin County and Dan Kenney from the Minnesota Ballpark Authority. It honors an individual or organization that contributes significantly to the infrastructure of Minneapolis. Originally called the Builders Award, The O. D. Gay Award was renamed to honor the first director of the Minneapolis Downtown Council who was instrumental in the development of so many innovations, including Nicollet Mall and the skyway system. With the opening of the beautiful Target Field, the Twins have made Minneapolis a destination of choice for many more sports fans, and have dramatically improved the performance of our local hospitality industry.

The Hospitality Hero Award was presented to Karen Gysin, recently retired associate director of public relations at Walker Art Center. It honors an individual or company who has contributed significantly to the public image of Minneapolis through outstanding hospitality and service.

Gysin began her Walker career in 1974 and oversaw local, national and international press for over 200 exhibitions, as well as building expansions in 1984 and 2005, along with the opening of the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden in 1988 and its expansion in 1992. She has not only put Walker Art Center on the map and in the minds of travelers, but the city of Minneapolis, as well.

ABOUT MEET MINNEAPOLIS

Meet Minneapolis is a private, not-for-profit, member-based association. It actively promotes the Minneapolis area as a venue for conventions and meetings and markets the city as a desirable tourist destination to bring a positive economic impact to the greater Minneapolis area.