Book Your Hotel Online
Or call 800.620.1958 - Search for flights and car rentals, too. Best hotel rates guaranteed.
Executive Bios
The staff of Meet Minneapolis™, the Official Convention + Visitors Association, are experts in many areas of the tourism and convention industry.
Executive Spokespeople
Melvin Tennant
President/CEO Melvin oversees the day-to-day operations at Meet Minneapolis and iDSS, including the professional and support staff. Melvin serves as the voice of MeetMinneapolis through speaking engagements, civic activities and political council meetings. He has served as interim president and CEO of Meet Minneapolis since November 2007.
- Areas of expertise: Overall direction and goals of the organization, industry trends, innovative solutions
Kevin Lewis
Vice President of Convention Sales Kevin is responsible for overall convention sales efforts for Meet Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Convention Center which includes managing a 22-person sales team. A 26-year hospitality industry veteran, Lewis has spent the past 17 years with Meet Minneapolis.
- Areas of expertise: Hotel developments, occupancy and trends in the local hotel market; convention and meeting booking initiatives; the Minneapolis Convention Center
Bill Deef
Vice President of Tourism Bill and his department promote Minneapolis as a viable travel destination to tour operators, individual tourists and niche markets in order to attract regional, national and international leisure travelers. Since 1987, Deef has made significant contributions to the Minnesota tourism industry—from serving as a chair of the Washburn Academy of Hospitality and Tourism to working as a liaison for Minneapolis's sister city program.
- Areas of expertise: Minneapolis-Saint Paul's international travel markets, group travel, airline service to and from the market, what attracts travelers to Minneapolis-Saint Paul.
Karyn Gruenberg
Vice President of Marketing
Karyn joined Meet Minneapolis as vice president of marketing in 1996. Her responsibilities include initiating and developing new partnerships and alliances for marketing Minneapolis as a prime destination. Karyn is responsible for overseeing all the marketing of the organization including advertising, branding, public relations, website development, advertising, e-marketing, publications and creative services.
- Areas of expertise: Efforts to re-brand and re-position the marketplace; innovative member, sponsorship and partnership programs
Other Media Spokespeople
Laura McCarthy
Marketing Communications Director Laura strategizes and manages leisure and destination marketing programs that create awareness of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area, drive traffic to websites, and generate hotel room bookings. She also oversees the organization's public relations efforts across all industries. With more than 15 years in marketing communications under her belt, she's been with the organization for 7 years.
Maureen Scallen
Director of Governmental Relations Maureen Scallen is the primary liaison between Meet Minneapolis and local, county and state government. As a powerful activist, Maureen makes sure the voice of Meet Minneapolis is represented. Maureen has served as director of governmental relations since 2000.
- Areas of expertise: Local laws and regulations affecting the local hospitality industry.
Connie Stelter
Public Relations Manager Connie is responsible for public relations for the destination and leisure travel market. She serves as the primary liaison between Meet Minneapolis and local and national media while administrating media tours, writing and editing and conducting media analysis. Connie has been a part of Meet Minneapolis since May 2007.
