Explore Minnesota Tourism Awarded 2007 Travel Industry Association Odyssey Award
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Contact: Michele Peters
651-296-0308
michele.peters@state.mn.us
Charlotte, NC, October 23 - During the Travel Industry Association’s (TIA) Annual Awards Banquet last night, Explore Minnesota Tourism received the industry’s most coveted national award for best domestic travel advertising. Explore Minnesota beat the competition from all state, city and private-sector marketing organizations in the US.The TIA Odyssey Award is considered the highest honor for public or private tourism marketing in the US.Minnesota won the award for best marketing for its My Favorite Minnesota™ campaign, which is based on insider advice from those who have traveled in Minnesota. Utilizing the campaign theme of “Who knows more about having fun in Minnesota than Minnesotans?” travelers are invited to share their favorite places to go and things to do in Minnesota by creating lists at www.exploreminnesota.com, the state’s official travel Web site.
“It is truly an honor to be recognized with this award,” said Explore Minnesota Tourism Director John Edman. “We were seeking to be innovative as well as results driven in developing this campaign. It is very gratifying for Explore Minnesota Tourism to be singled out in such a prestigious national competition.”
This is the second time in the last three years that Minnesota has received this award for best tourism marketing in the US. Explore Minnesota last won the TIA Odyssey for best travel advertising in 2005.
Explore Minnesota Tourism will be recognized for this award in the January issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine.
About Explore Minnesota Tourism
As the state’s tourism office, Explore Minnesota Tourism pursues an entrepreneurial approach, leveraging the state’s tourism investment with increased involvement by the private sector. A council of representatives from the state’s tourism industry strongly connects Explore Minnesota Tourism with tourism businesses and organizations.
Tourism is a $10.2 billion industry in Minnesota, a key sector of the state’s economy. The leisure and hospitality industry, a major provider of tourism services, employs over 242,000 Minnesotans. More information can be found at www.exploreminnesota.com/research.
About the Odyssey Awards
TIA, in partnership with National Geographic Traveler, selected ten travel industry organizations to receive 2007 Odyssey Awards. Odyssey is the premier recognition program for the $700 billion travel and tourism industry, which rewards tourism organizations for attaining new levels of excellence. These annual awards recognize the very best in the industry: the very best marketing and advertising programs; the top promotion and public and community service programs; and excellence in communications and building awareness of tourism’s positive impact on our nation.
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Posted: October 23rd, 2007
