FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Meet Minneapolis celebrates National Travel & Tourism Week with Be a Hospitality Hero event

(Minneapolis) May 9, 2013 Meet Minneapolis, Convention and Visitors Association, gathered 85 hospitality workers from hotels, restaurants, attractions and service partners and staff on May 8, 2013, for a Be a Hospitality Hero day that included training and a city tour, as well as networking opportunities.

First, a one-hour training session at the Minneapolis Convention Center offered in-depth information about Minneapolis visitors and convention attendees, the state of the hospitality industry, what's new for 2013 and what's coming in 2014. Next, the attendees boarded coaches from Lorenz Bus Service for a guided tour including stops at the Mississippi Riverfront at Bohemian Flats, American Swedish Institute and the Midtown Global Market, where partners provided useful visitor information and interesting facts, tours and the chance to experience some parts of the city they may not see often.

Partner businesses represented on the tour included the Mill City Museum, Segway Magical History Tours, Above the Falls Sports, the Guthrie Theatre, Paradise Charter Cruises, Mississippi River National Park, American Swedish Institute and their new Nelson Cultural Center and Midtown Global Market.

This special event focused on some of the 27,000 hospitality workers in Minneapolis by recognizing their work and providing an educational opportunity to them, said Madonna Carr, vice president of Destination Services for Meet Minneapolis. It also provided the opportunity to promote the importance of the industry and increase the service level we provide to visitors and convention attendees.

Travel and tourism is one of Americas largest industries and generated $2.0 trillion in economic output nationally in 2011 (latest year data is available) and $855.4 billion spent directly by domestic and international travelers. In Minneapolis Saint Paul, 26.8 million visitors in 2011 directly spent $6.524 million.

According to the U.S. Travel Association, the first full week of May is annually recognized as National Travel and Tourism Week, a tradition first celebrated in 1984. Localized events are presented in cities, states and travel businesses nationwide to champion the power of travel. It was established as National Tourism Week when the U.S. Congress passed a joint resolution in 1983 designating the week to be celebrated in May. In a White House ceremony, President Ronald Reagan signed a Presidential Proclamation urging citizens to observe the week with the appropriate ceremonies and activities.

CUT-LINE FOR ATTACHED PHOTO

Hospitality workers gathered at the Bohemian Flats in Minneapolis to hear about Mississippi Riverfront businesses that visitors frequent as a part of a city tour and training session offered by Meet Minneapolis in honor of National Travel & Tourism Week 2013.

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 of the greater Minneapolis area.

CONNECT WITH US!

Online: www.minneapolis.org

On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/meetminneapolis?ref=ts

On Twitter: http://twitter.com/meetminneapolis

On Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/meetminneapolis/

MEDIA CONTACT

Kristen Montag, media & communication manager, 612.767.8038, kristenm@minneapolis.org, Minneapolis_PR on Twitter

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