Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1541144
B M & T ••• November/December 2025 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 21 MELVIN TENNANT, PRESIDENT/CEO, MEET MINNEAPOLIS I n t e r n a t i o n a l visitation makes up a small, but valu- able percentage of our meeting atten- dees, and one of the top issues our cus- tomers have shared is related to obtain- ing U.S. visas in time for travel. Again, international attendees are cur- rently a small fraction of our overall visi- tors. Our significant direct international service remains a benefit for both leisure and business travelers. What we knew would be a challenge for Minneapolis in 2025 was fewer city- wide groups committed than normal. We attribute much of this to the longer-term sales cycle. Customers considering destinations four and five years into the future were unsure of how Minneapolis would rebound after the murder of George Floyd, the civil unrest, and the well-publicized trial that took place the following year. Those perceptions have largely dissi- pated. We actively engaged in sharing our full and authentic story with customers and invited them to make waves and create change in Minneapolis. That's been a big part of our long-term road to recovery. More recently, a significant program that will help propel us forward is the formation of the Minneapolis Tourism Improvement District (MTID) – the first TID in Minnesota. This hotel-led initiative will help generate approxi- mately $7 million annually in supple- mental funding. These dollars will be invested in new tourism marketing and sales initiatives, as well as new special events and activations. We literally just embarked upon this new era with collection of funds begin- ning in September. Our hope is to launch a multi-faceted wintertime campaign, and we'll determine success metrics in conjunction with our MTID governance committee and board of directors. We anticipate 2026 to exceed a typi- cal year for tourism in Minneapolis. Based on our pace reports, we are trending ahead of pace for 2026, 2027 and 2028. That's a good sign for our tourism workers, partner businesses and our city. RICKEY THIGPEN, PRESIDENT/CEO, VISIT JACKSON Visitation to the U.S. for meetings and tourism has faced challenges, and I believe sever- al factors contribute to the decline. First, global economic uncertainty and inflation have made international travel more expensive, particularly with higher airfare and lodging costs. For smaller destinations like Jackson, our position in the international travel space was never significant regarding the conventions and meetings market; however, our leisure and group travel market remains relatively robust. Second, visa processing delays and travel restrictions in some countries have created barriers for international visitors who might otherwise be eager to come to the United States. When entering a destination becomes complicated or time-consuming, travelers naturally explore alternatives. Third, increased global competition has changed the landscape. Other coun- tries are investing heavily in tourism infrastructure and marketing, position- ing themselves as attractive, cost-effec- tive, and easily accessible destinations for meetings and leisure travel. Finally, the international political cli- mate inevitably impacts U.S. cities' glob- al market share. Travelers and planners pay close attention to a destination's overall environment, and perceptions of safety, stability, and inclusivity play a sig- nificant role in their decision-making. At Visit Jackson, we work to ensure that our city's story transcends politics. We focus on promoting Jackson's authentic culture, creativity, and hospital- ity, which unite us and make this destina- tion unique. Two of our most significant international attractors are our music and culinary assets. Food and music have a remarkable power to unite people, especially in challenging times. Both are universal languages that transcend back- ground, politics, and circumstance. They speak directly to the heart and remind us of our shared humanity. In Jackson, we see this every day. A shared meal or a soulful song becomes more than just an experience; it is a moment of connection. Food tells the story of who we are, passed down through generations, while music gives voice to our emotions and aspirations. Whether it is the rhythm of the blues, the spirit of gospel, or the spice of Southern cuisine, these elements create spaces where people can celebrate their differ- ences while discovering how much they have in common. Food and music remind us that com- munity is still at our core in times of chal-