EMT Express - April 22, 2008
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Welcome to EMT Express, providing bi-weekly news and tips for the people who market Minnesota tourism.
- March Inquiries
- EMT Website Wins Awards
- New Scenic Drives Section of exploreminnesota.com
- Group Tour Sales Mission - Two Spaces Remain!
- 2008 Heartland Travel Showcase Leads
- Family Motor Coach Association Convention in Saint Paul
- New Tourism Industry Blog from Explore Minnesota Tourism
- Deleting of Events Now Available Through Extranet
- Electronic Marketing Tip
- Opportunity Available to Assist Travel Writer
- Winter Partnership Grant Applications Due May 1
- 2009 Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference
- SMTA to Hold Meeting and Seminars in Montevideo
- Red Wing Honored for Historic Preservation
- Tourism Industry Benefits from Tax Rebates
| Total phone calls | 1,991 |
| Counselor assisted | 1,111 |
| Voicemail | 699 |
| Automated System | 181 |
| Mail and electronic | 17,450 |
| Website brochure requests | 3,038 |
| TIC Visitorship | 177,861 |
EMT Website Wins Awards
Both the Explore Minnesota Web site and the My Favorite Minnesota microsite have been selected as Official Honorees in the 12th Annual Webby Awards, regarded as one of the most important digital competitions.
The Official Honoree distinction is awarded to work that scores in the top 15% of all work entered into the Webby Awards. Hailed as the “Oscars of the Internet” by the New York Times, the Webby Awards are the leading international awards honoring excellence on the Internet, including Web sites, interactive advertising, online film & video, and mobile Web sites. Established in 1996, the 12th Annual Webby Awards received nearly 10,000 entries from all 50 states and over 60 countries worldwide. The Webby Awards is presented by The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences.
Our listing on the Webby site is:
http://www.webbyawards.com/webbys/current_honorees.php?media_id=96&category_id=66&season=12
New Scenic Drives Section of exploreminnesota.com
We have recently upgraded the scenic drives section of our Web site (www.exploreminnesota.com/experiences/byways/index.aspx). This section includes expanded mapping capabilities that allow consumers to find places to stay and things to do near scenic drives; new search by city and feature capabilities and audio which consumers can listen to online or download. In addition, consumers can now find scenic drives near attractions, events and lodging by using the mapping features on individual business’ listings on exploreminnesota.com.
Group Tour Sales Mission - Two Spaces Remain!
On May 7-9, 2008 promote your destination, attraction, or property in person to approximately 15-20 qualified tour operators, travel agents, and bank leaders in central and eastern Wisconsin. Proven to be a successful return on investment, these visits allow quality time with product developers who are always looking for new ideas and tour experiences for their itineraries.
Cost is $200, which covers one rep per company and includes transportation, promotional gifts and any hosted event. Lodging and meals are not included but will be very affordable. Limited to 10 participants. Contact Mary Ann Steen, Group Tour Marketing, maryann.steen@state.mn.us, 651-215-1213, or 800-657-3600.
2008 Heartland Travel Showcase Leads
Leads from this event held in Milwaukee, March 9-12, 2008, are now available on Explore Minnesota’s industry Web site, www.industry.exploreminnesota.com, under Travel Trade Marketing. Minnesota was proudly represented by the participation of destination and lodging representatives statewide at North America’s largest regional motorcoach marketplace. More than 75 US operators were available for appointments. Added value was the Showcase Educational Conference packed with industry speakers and interactive discussions.
Join us for the next Heartland Travel Showcase in Pittsburgh, PA February 20-29, 2009! Contact: Mary Ann Steen, maryann.steen@state.mn.us, 651-215-1213 or 800-657-3600.
Family Motor Coach Association Convention in Saint Paul
An opportunity to market to the growing RV market is available in the Explore Minnesota Tourism booth at the Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) International Convention in Saint Paul July 14-17, 2008.
As many as 5,000 RVs from all over the U.S. are expected at this FMCA convention. Many of the attendees stay in the area after the convention both on their own and at various group rallies. This is also an opportunity to showcase our “RV-friendly” facilities and many activities to an important travel market. For more information on FMCA go to www.fmca.com.
The program is similar to other sport shows - communities may provide brochures for distribution at no cost if staff is provided for one shift at the booth. Exhibitor hours are 10:30 a.m - 7:00 p.m. Monday and 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. Full day shifts are required. Cost for distribution without staffing is $.30/brochure. For more information or to sign up for the show contact Gayle Junnila, 651-296-5205 or email at gayle.junnila@state.mn.us
New Tourism Industry Blog from Explore Minnesota Tourism
The Minnesota Tourism industry now has the opportunity to share ideas on Explore Minnesota Tourism’s Blog. The Blog is a new part of the industry Web site.
Our moderator has posted the question, “What do you feel is the outlook for Minnesota travel this summer?” Comment, see others’ response, or pose a question of your own! It’s simple and gives you an easy way to communicate with Explore Minnesota Tourism and the Minnesota Tourism industry on current issues.
Deleting of Events Now Available Through Extranet
The Explore Minnesota Extranet Web site now features the ability to delete an event! Please throw away your old instructions and read on.
Words that you use in your description in our database are included in "text searches" on www.ExploreMinnesota.com. Use this space wisely to highlight special features that your property offers.
Listings can be entered or updated directly by tourism businesses and organizations online at www.extranet.exploreminnesota.com. The Explore Minnesota database is the information source for the Journey travel planning service and for exploreminnesota.com. For more information, contact Kim Fitzgerald at kim.fitzgerald@state.mn.us.
A well-published travel writer (Frommers, AAA Living, AAA Home & Away, National Geographic, Midwest Living) is preparing a pitch (a sample chapter) to a publisher on a book idea. The book would chronicle stories about taking kids to wild, adventurous places on vacation - places where there is no agenda, and activities are limited to what you can make around the woods and water. Toward that end, the writer is seeking a complimentary 2-3 day stay in a relatively secluded northern Minnesota cabin during the June 10-23 window. If you are inclined to assist this writer/author, please respond to Chuck Lennon at chuck.lennon@state.mn.us.Winter Partnership Grant Applications Due May 1
The Winter Activity Partnership grant applications are due May 1, 2008. The objective of the winter activity grants is to provide marketing dollars for programs which highlight winter activities - both indoor and outdoor. Grant applications will be accepted for projects occurring October 1, 2008 - March 31, 2009, with a deadline for application of May 1, 2008. If you are a Minnesota non-profit tourism organization and are interested in submitting a grant request or want further information on guidelines contact your Regional Manager or Gayle Junnila at 651-296-5205 or gayle.junnila@state.mn.us. Guidelines are also posted on the industry website: http://industry.exploreminnesota.com
2009 Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference
The formal Request for Proposal (RFP) for the 2009 Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference is now available. The 2009 conference will focus on the long-term future and will encourage participation from policy makers, including legislators. The conference will be held in the Minneapolis Saint Paul area - bid requirements are that the host facility be within 25 miles of the Explore Minnesota Tourism office.
The conference dates are January 27-29, 2009. Responses are due Wednesday, April 30 at 1:00 p.m. To obtain a copy of the RFP or for further questions contact Gayle Junnila at 651-296-5205 or email at gayle.junnila@state.mn.us
SMTA to Hold Meeting and Seminars in Montevideo
The Southern Minnesota Tourism Association (SMTA) will hold their May meeting on Thursday, May 15 at the Chippewa County Courthouse in Montevideo. Kent Gustafson of the University of Minnesota Tourism Center will present "Wine Tourism in The Region" and Heather Ulrich-Glynn will present "Wrong/Misleading Information on the Internet - How to Clear it up."
The meeting is open to the public. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Registration fee is $10 and includes lunch. To RSVP, call 888-975-6766 by May 9, 2008.
Red Wing Honored for Historic Preservation
Red Wing is one of 12 towns recently named as a "Distinctive Destination" in the U.S. by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Trust issues an annual list to honor cities for their commitment to historic preservation and community revitalization. Red Wing is noteworthy for its bounty of beautifully restored commercial and residential architecture dating back to the 1850s.
Tourism Industry Benefits from Tax Rebates
According to a study by the Tourism Institute at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, many of the tax rebates will be spent on summer or fall travel. Citing reasons from timing of rebates to the need for rewards and escapes, the study suggests that increased spending on travel will boost the U.S. economy. For a copy of the full report, go to http://web.utk.edu/~tourism/index.shtml and click on Research Publications.
For more information, contact Elizabeth Davis, UT media relations at 865/974-5179 or elizabeth.davis@tennessee.edu.
If you’ve received this newsletter from a friend and wish to subscribe yourself please subscribe at EMT Express Subscriptions.
If you have an article you wish to submit for consideration, please contact:
Colleen Tollefson,
651/297-2635, 800/657-3637.
Posted: April 22nd, 2008
