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and tips for the people who market Minnesota tourism.

TOURISM CONFERENCE SPECIAL EDITION

2012 Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference News
January 24-25, 2012
Kahler Grand Hotel, Rochester, MN

The Tuesday, January 10 Early Registration deadline is fast approaching, and here are several updates to entice you even more to attend!

Governor Mark Dayton will be speaking at the 2012 Tourism Conference on Wednesday, January 25 at 11:30 a.m. The Governor has a long history of supporting the tourism industry throughout his career in state government.   This will be the Governor’s first tourism conference since his election and we look forward to his participation.

Rochester CVB and the Kahler Grand Hotel have organized several optional pre-conference activities for Monday, January 23 from 3-6 p.m. Choose from additional educational sessions on social media, or a Mayo Clinic Art & Architecture tour, then join fellow industry at Dooley’s Pub for dinner and dueling pianos! The cost is $25 for either afternoon option and includes an evening reception and dinner. You can include your optional activity choice in your online registration if you have not yet registered – or click here for a registration form. These activities are not included in the conference registration cost.

Conference Highlights
Even before the formal start of the conference, you can learn about ways to expand your marketing efforts at the “Making the Most of Explore Minnesota Opportunities” at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 24. Learn more about website tools, cooperative advertising, and other partnership offerings from Explore Minnesota Tourism.

The opening keynote speaker on Tuesday is Stan Gadek, CEO of Sun Country Airlines. Mr. Gadek will inspire us with the story of this home-town airline and how it went from trouble to triumph.

By popular demand, there are several social media sessions offered. Whether you are brand new to this technology, or are looking for the latest app or tool, there is a session for you. Dave Serino, Think! Social Media USA, is our expert speaker on these topics.

New speakers have been confirmed for the group tour session. Jack Hintz, Executive VP, Fancy Free Holidays; Michael Pileggi, Owner/CEO, Performance Tours; and Karla Hynes, Club Director, Preferred Advantage Club will offer their expertise in this market at the session “Working With Leisure Groups – Current and Future Trends” on Wednesday, January 25 at 9:45 a.m.

Click here to register online now! Registrations with full payment, postmarked or submitted on line by Midnight, by January 10 are $179; after this date the cost is $209. The multi-attendee rate of $159 for the second and subsequent registrations from the same organization remains the same.

More information on the conference including session descriptions and hotel information for the Kahler Grand Hotel are at http://industry.exploreminnesota.com/2012-conference.

Follow the conference on Twitter at #EMTC12

Created on … January 6, 2012 by Explore Minnesota Tourism