As I think about people who are making a difference without expecting recognition, I realize that we find a contemporary form of unsung heroes in our local frontline hospitality employees. Their ranks have steadily grown over the last four years, commensurate with the increase in travel and tourism expenditures in the metro area over that same time. In 2016, the number of hospitality workers who live in Minneapolis will more than likely eclipse 32,000. Our frontline unsung heroes include those who serve in our hotels, taxis and shuttles, restaurants, attractions, the Minneapolis Convention Center and on downtown streets as Downtown Improvement District ambassadors. These men and women are often the first point of interaction that visitors to our city have, and their work is essential as we work to become the Destination of Choice.

This level of sustained professionalism is even more important when visitor and event volume is unusually high, such as it has been this year. We will report later on the record-breaking performance our local hospitality industry has had this year, particularly in October and November. But suffice it to say we have been in an all hands on deck situation for some time and our local hospitality professionals continue to shine. That’s is even after long days where sore feet were the reward for a day of providing exemplary service to visitors.

These unsung heroes’ impact extends well beyond the direct hospitality industry. Their work helps to lower local residents’ taxes by helping to sustain the increased number of visitors who spend more and augment visitor taxes. Michael Langley, of our partner organization Greater MSP, frequently touts the fact that a decision maker for relocating a corporation may become familiar with an area by first visiting there for a business meeting or conference. If the experience is memorable, our region may be on its way to being considered as a relocation site. So that first impact with visitors is critical, and our local professionals do their jobs well.

So we continue to salute Rosa Parks and the impact she has had on the extension of civil rights to all people. Today I also want to salute the other unsung heroes in our local hospitality industry who day in and day out keep the promises we make to visitors we work hard to attract to our community. Thank you all for what you do to make our city great.

As I think about people who are making a difference without expecting recognition, I realize that we find a contemporary form of unsung heroes in our local frontline hospitality employees. Their ranks have steadily grown over the last four years, commensurate with the increase in travel and tourism expenditures in the metro area over that same time. In 2016, the number of hospitality workers who live in Minneapolis will more than likely eclipse 32,000. Our frontline unsung heroes include those who serve in our hotels, taxis and shuttles, restaurants, attractions, the Minneapolis Convention Center and on downtown streets as Downtown Improvement District ambassadors. These men and women are often the first point of interaction that visitors to our city have, and their work is essential as we work to become the Destination of Choice.

This level of sustained professionalism is even more important when visitor and event volume is unusually high, such as it has been this year. We will report later on the record-breaking performance our local hospitality industry has had this year, particularly in October and November. But suffice it to say we have been in an all hands on deck situation for some time and our local hospitality professionals continue to shine. That’s is even after long days where sore feet were the reward for a day of providing exemplary service to visitors.

These unsung heroes’ impact extends well beyond the direct hospitality industry. Their work helps to lower local residents’ taxes by helping to sustain the increased number of visitors who spend more and augment visitor taxes. Michael Langley, of our partner organization Greater MSP, frequently touts the fact that a decision maker for relocating a corporation may become familiar with an area by first visiting there for a business meeting or conference. If the experience is memorable, our region may be on its way to being considered as a relocation site. So that first impact with visitors is critical, and our local professionals do their jobs well.

So we continue to salute Rosa Parks and the impact she has had on the extension of civil rights to all people. Today I also want to salute the other unsung heroes in our local hospitality industry who day in and day out keep the promises we make to visitors we work hard to attract to our community. Thank you all for what you do to make our city great.