Last week, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey signed the Minneapolis Tourism Improvement District (MTID) ordinance into law. Joining him for a ceremonial signing on Monday, June 9 at the Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot, were Minneapolis hospitality community leaders, Minneapolis City Council Members, and Meet Minneapolis leaders to celebrate the creation of the hotel-led initiative to attract more overnight visitors and drive visitor spending in the city. Following is a news release from tourism promotion consultant Civitas announcing the creation of the MTID:

After years of dedicated, hard work, Civitas is proud to congratulate Minneapolis hospitality leaders, Meet Minneapolis and the City of Minneapolis on the official formation of the Minneapolis Tourism Improvement District (MTID), the first TID in Minnesota! This bold initiative, approved by the City Council, is expected to generate an estimated $7 million annually through a 2% assessment on lodging properties, providing sustainable funding for tourism promotion.

“The passage of the Minneapolis Tourism Improvement District ordinance is a forward-thinking step for Minneapolis,” said City Council Member Katie Cashman. “I’m proud to have authored this ordinance that directly supports our city’s vital tourism and hospitality industry without placing a burden on our residents. With strong backing from our local hotels, this initiative will allow Minneapolis to compete more effectively for conventions, major events and visitors – bringing jobs, revenue and vibrancy to our city. This is a win for our tourism economy, our workforce, and the many workers that benefit from a thriving visitor economy.”

Fueling Growth Through Strategic Investment
The MTID will fund high-impact initiatives designed to attract more overnight visitors and elevate Minneapolis’ competitiveness among peer cities. Priorities include integrated marketing and PR campaigns, sales efforts to drive group and meeting bookings, destination branding, and the development of signature visitor experiences. The district will also support sustainability programs and workforce development, helping to cultivate a vibrant, well-equipped hospitality sector.

“The Minneapolis City Council's approval of the Minneapolis Tourism Improvement District marks a significant step forward for our city's hospitality and tourism industry,” said Michael Clark, General Manager of the Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot and Chair of the TID Task Force. “I’m proud of the role that our city’s hotel leaders played in supporting this important initiative to invest in our own future. The Minneapolis Tourism Improvement District gives us another tool to increase our competitiveness with peer cities, drive hotel bookings, and ensure a more stable and resilient hospitality sector. This is a smart, strategic move that will bring measurable returns to Minneapolis hotels and benefit our entire community.”

The MTID is the result of a strong collaboration between local hotels, Meet Minneapolis, and city leadership, demonstrating what is possible when stakeholders align around a shared vision for sustainable tourism.

“We are grateful for the City Council’s approval of the Tourism Improvement District ordinance. It is a transformative moment for Minneapolis tourism,” said Melvin Tennant, President & CEO of Meet Minneapolis. “This dedicated funding mechanism will give our city the ability to attract more visitors and events and generate greater economic impact for our community. The leadership and partnership of our local hotels in making this investment possible will allow us to advance the shared goals of our tourism and hospitality industry. Together, we’ll build a stronger, more resilient hospitality workforce and visitor economy for Minneapolis.”

Civitas is honored to have supported this landmark effort. We celebrate this exciting milestone with Minneapolis and look forward to the positive impacts the MTID will deliver for years to come.