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We're On the Clock.....Again

A short 14 months ago, a contingent of public and private leaders converged on Super Bowl LI in Houston to observe the ins and outs of the game and ancillary event operations, as well as to ceremonially (and literally) take the handoff as the next Super Bowl host city. A similarly determined group, including some of the same people, just returned from San Antonio and the NCAA Men's Final Four in preparation for hosting that big game in 2019.

Kate Mortenson, President and CEO of the 2019 Minneapolis Final Four ® Local Organizing Committee (LOC), has the responsibility of delivering on the promises made to the NCAA during the bidding process in 2014. She has assembled an experienced and enthusiastic team that will be giving their 24/7 attention to this major event, over the coming 12 months.

Tamara Spude, Meet Minneapolis' Director of Destination Services led our team's contingent to San Antonio. Tamara, along with numerous other Meet Minneapolis team members, will provide critical LOC support to ensure that our community shines this time next year.

A few of the major areas we focused on in San Antonio were:

  • Hotels and their ability to fulfill the needs of student-athletes
  • Logistical placement of key ancillary events
  • Fan experience and, of course, game day operations

In preparation for Super Bowl LII, Meet Minneapolis provided multiple forums for our partners to get all of the necessary information on how to successfully participate in the event. We also conducted a variety of training sessions to help businesses collectively leave the best overall impression on our visitors. We plan similar activities in preparation for the Final Four. Our success in executing the Final Four will position us well to secure even more NCAA championships alongside our University of Minnesota Athletics partners.

Will the next champion be a Jay Wright-led Villanova team, one of a very select group of Division I institutions to win the tournament twice within a three year span? Or will it be Duke and iconic Coach K, who won the tournament the last two times Minneapolis hosted the Final Four? Regardless, it will be a unique story of competitors overcoming obstacles en route to the victor hearing their name announced as National Champions. And our main job is to partner with the NCAA to create the perfect environment for that new story to be created.

Last, but certainly not least, Sports Minneapolis is happy to announce today an agreement with ESPN to extend the X Games in Minneapolis through 2020.

Today marks 100 days out from the 2018 games at U.S. Bank Stadium, and we’re thrilled to partner with ESPN to keep extreme sports front and center in the City of Minneapolis. You can get all the latest information here as we get ready for another exciting summer in downtown Minneapolis.