TOUR OPERATOR ITINERARIES TO MINNESOTA: A Sampling
Efforts to promote our state as a group tour destination are made by DMOs, lodging and attractions throughout Minnesota. Be it a full motorcoach or smaller crowd, group tours are important revenue sources. Successful sales efforts can easily lead to repeat business. Here is a sample from various operators with tour itineraries to Minnesota.

Take a look at Explore Minnesota’s 2012 Group Tour & Packaged Travel Planner . The latest of our annual planners was published and distributed in January 2012. Mailed to nearly 2,000 group and internationa travel planners, it also featured on our Travel Trade site.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Travel Alliance Partners (TAP) – Shreveport, LA
TAP Dance 2012: June 2-6, 2012
EMT is attending with other industry partners from Minnesota. In 2011, fellow participants included Mall of America, Eagan CVB, Visit Minneapolis Northwest and Minnesota Historical Society.

International Motorcoach Group (IMG) - Minneapolis, MN
Annual Conference  – August 2012
Jump on the bandwagon with this unique opportunity to host motorcoach operators from around the country as Minnesota hosts this annual annual conference. Host hotel is the Marriott Minneapolis City Center. Stay tuned for more details.

American Bus Association (ABA)– Charlotte, NC
Marketplace: January 5 – 9, 2013
Join EMT and 15 other industry colleagues in representing destinations, attractions and lodging in our state at a booth on the Marketplace floor. It’s a great way to gain more quality time with tour and motorcoach operators. Contact Chris Van Meter for more details via email or at 651-757-1873.

National Tour Association (NTA)– Orlando, FL
Travel Exchange (annual conference): January 19-23, 2013
EMT anticipates participating in this annual conference with other industry colleagues.

CANADA EVENTS are found under the International Marketing section of this site.

Recommendations for upcoming travel trade events for the group tour market are now updated for 2010-2011. Get more info here as you plan your 2012 budgets.

See tabs at left under Group Tour & Packaged Travel for more topics and information!

Contact: Chris Van Meter
651.757.1873, 800.657.3600
chris.vanmeter@state.mn.us

PAST EVENTS

Explore Minnesota Tourism Annual Conference - Rochester, MN
January 24-25, 2012
This is a key annnual event for education and networking with colleagues from around the state, held at the Kahler Grand Hotel.

ABA 2012 Marketplace - Grapevine, TX  (Dallas/Ft. Worth)
January 6-10, 2012
Twenty representatives from around Minnesota worked together to present Minnesota’s finest to over 700 tour and motorcoach operators. Visitors to the Minnesota booth always have a taste of adventures await them in our state. This year’s theme was shopping

NTA Travel Exchange – Las Vegas, NV
December 5-9, 2011