Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/848446
Meet Minneapolis, Convention and Visitors Association, presented Minneapolis' first-ever tourism master plan, Destination Transformation 2030, at its March 2, 2017, annual meeting at the Minneapolis Convention Center. The destination management organization is seizing the opportunities provided by the major events coming to the city over the next few years to strive towards longer-term gains in tourism. Destination Transformation 2030 is a comprehensive tourism plan for Minneapolis, providing goals for where the destination will be in the year 2030, including: Attract 50 million visitors to the metro area annually; in 2015, there were 32 million visitors Increase winter visitation to 11 million travelers, whereas there are 6 million today Support 40,000 hospitality jobs; currently, there are 32,500 Develop a $10 million annual awareness-building marketing campaign for the metro area. We want to celebrate and enhance the very best of our city and every- thing it offers. And we want the world to know about it, said Mayor Betsy Hodges, co-chair of Destination Transformation 2030. "The objectives out- lined in this plan will help us achieve those goals." Over the past year, Meet Minneapolis gathered input from 3,000 people, including tourists, travel writers, meeting plan ners, local stakeholders, residents and industry experts. Six subcom comittees worked to develop the plan. The plan identifies eight initiatives for 2030: Attract 50 million visitors to the metro area annually by 2030 Launch a metro-wide branding and marketing campaign Build an iconic visitors center on downtown's central riverfront Implement a unified transportation, wayfinding and informa tion program for Minneapolis Adopt a comprehensive place-making plan to drive Minneapolis tourism priorities and investments Accentuate winter as a novel tourism adventure Grow and emphasize hospitality jobs as important to social equity and the metro economy Identify and secure ongoing resources to implement the tourism master plan More details on each initiative are available at www.Minneapolis.org-- /DT2030, the comprehensive look at Destination Transformation 2030. Rather than coming up with one monumental tourism attraction or idea, our subcommittees recommended using the advantages we already enjoy in Minneapolis while also addressing the deficits, such as lack of awareness and poor wayfinding, said Bob Lux, Alatus LLC; chair, Meet Minneapolis Board of Directors; and co-chair of Destination Transformation 2030 commit- tee. "Our goals are ambitious but with this plan as a roadmap, we can get there." Going forward, the Meet Minneapolis Board of Directors will engage three subcommittees who will lead tactical efforts. Along with directors from the board, subcommittee members will include a number of leaders from a variety of business, culture, government, nonprofit and sports enti- ties, and other invested community residents. We cannot thank Mayor Hodges, Bob Lux, our third co-chair David Berg (former- ly of Carlson) and the community members who contributed to this effort enough, said Melvin Tennant, president and CEO, Meet Minneapolis. "Meet Minneapolis is proud and excited for the future of the destination and where this plan will take us." I N T H E N E W S MEET MINNEAPOLIS ANNOUNCES FIRST-EVER TOURISM MASTER PLAN, DESTINATION TRANSFORMATION 2030 NTA NAMES TWO NEW CORPORATE PARTNERS Avisbudget and Rezgo to Offer Discounts on Respective Services The National Tour Association has joined with two new Corporate Partners, AvisBudget and Rezgo, to offer members discounts on valu- able services. AvisBudget, which represents two of the world's best-known car rental brands, is extending a 25 percent discount off base rates from Avis and Budget. The discounts are available on a wide selection of vehicles, from eco-friendly and fuel-efficient compacts and hybrids to stylish premium and luxury sedans. In addition, NTA members can take advantage of com- plimentary membership in Avis Preferred and Budget Fastbreak and receive additional offers, including discounts, complimentary upgrades B M & T ••• May/June 2017 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 6 MELVIN TENNANT,