This level of participation was on full display last week as Meet Minneapolis hosted its annual Sales and Marketing Outlook at the Minneapolis Convention Center. More than 100 participants were on hand to receive a robust travel/hospitality industry research update, status reports on current events and major projects as well as a primer on the ever-evolving social media strategy landscape as it relates to our industry.

We thank Meet Minneapolis board members Steve Cramer, president & CEO of the Minneapolis Downtown Council and Julie Batliner, Managing Director of Spong P.R., as well as Wendy Williams Blackshaw, SVP of the Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee for sharing their expertise during the outlook event.

Meet Minneapolis Market Research Director, Kevin Hanstad shared that we are on track to hit our goal of 37 million metro-wide visitors by 2017. He also recapped the current and planned new hotel development that could add as many as 1,700 rooms to the Minneapolis market. He indicated that this addition of rooms may also lead to an occupancy downturn by 2018, although demand is expected to rise. Kevin concluded his research overview by sharing his prognostications for 2016 and beyond:

• Strong growth through 2016.
• This is the time to try new and innovative ideas.
• Watch the price of gas.
• Collaborate with Meet Minneapolis.

Meet Minneapolis partners were also front and center during a series of meetings and presentations with leaders from the NCAA’s Final Four team in preparation for the 2019 event we will host. Meet Minneapolis partners and team members will continue to work closely with the 2019 Minneapolis Final Four ® Local Organizing Committee to ensure a spectacular event.

Similarly, Meet Minneapolis team members and partners were engaged with leaders from the College Football Playoff (CFP) organization that is evaluating Minneapolis as a site for the 2020 National Championship Game. A lot has happened since our team first hosted a CFP official in December 2013 at the Metrodome for a game against those Packers. U.S. Bank Stadium is now 70% complete, parts of the Ryan Companies development adjacent to the stadium will be occupied by year-end. Nicollet Mall’s transformation has begun. And since we first met with the CFP in 2013, we have confirmed a Super Bowl and a Final Four for our city. The CFP team members were impressed with what they experienced and what our community has accomplished. We are optimistic they will choose Minneapolis to host this mega-event.

Last week was a very special week in the life of Meet Minneapolis and its partners. Thanks again to all of our partners and to our team of destination marketing professionals as we continue our work to become the Destination of Choice.

This level of participation was on full display last week as Meet Minneapolis hosted its annual Sales and Marketing Outlook at the Minneapolis Convention Center. More than 100 participants were on hand to receive a robust travel/hospitality industry research update, status reports on current events and major projects as well as a primer on the ever-evolving social media strategy landscape as it relates to our industry.

We thank Meet Minneapolis board members Steve Cramer, president & CEO of the Minneapolis Downtown Council and Julie Batliner, Managing Director of Spong P.R., as well as Wendy Williams Blackshaw, SVP of the Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee for sharing their expertise during the outlook event.

Meet Minneapolis Market Research Director, Kevin Hanstad shared that we are on track to hit our goal of 37 million metro-wide visitors by 2017. He also recapped the current and planned new hotel development that could add as many as 1,700 rooms to the Minneapolis market. He indicated that this addition of rooms may also lead to an occupancy downturn by 2018, although demand is expected to rise. Kevin concluded his research overview by sharing his prognostications for 2016 and beyond:

• Strong growth through 2016.
• This is the time to try new and innovative ideas.
• Watch the price of gas.
• Collaborate with Meet Minneapolis.

Meet Minneapolis partners were also front and center during a series of meetings and presentations with leaders from the NCAA’s Final Four team in preparation for the 2019 event we will host. Meet Minneapolis partners and team members will continue to work closely with the 2019 Minneapolis Final Four ® Local Organizing Committee to ensure a spectacular event.

Similarly, Meet Minneapolis team members and partners were engaged with leaders from the College Football Playoff (CFP) organization that is evaluating Minneapolis as a site for the 2020 National Championship Game. A lot has happened since our team first hosted a CFP official in December 2013 at the Metrodome for a game against those Packers. U.S. Bank Stadium is now 70% complete, parts of the Ryan Companies development adjacent to the stadium will be occupied by year-end. Nicollet Mall’s transformation has begun. And since we first met with the CFP in 2013, we have confirmed a Super Bowl and a Final Four for our city. The CFP team members were impressed with what they experienced and what our community has accomplished. We are optimistic they will choose Minneapolis to host this mega-event.

Last week was a very special week in the life of Meet Minneapolis and its partners. Thanks again to all of our partners and to our team of destination marketing professionals as we continue our work to become the Destination of Choice.