INTERNATIONAL TRADE SHOWS & MISSIONS: 2011

Minnesota representatives at COTTM Beijing

Explore Minnesota Tourism is regularly heading to international events in efforts to grow its share of visitors from other countries. The state tourism office is known as one of the more active in efforts to secure visitors from other nations to experience the Midwest. Here are just a couple examples of recent efforts to reach the burgeoning Chinese market: COTTM Beijing.

Who could benefit: Minnesota tourism organizations, attractions, lodging
Cost: fees may apply, plus travel expenses, unless otherwise indicated

Canada

CAA Promotional Opportunity in Winnipeg
Oct 5-7, 2011
Minnesota will be featured throughout October to the 135,000 members of CAA Manitoba.  As part of our ongoing relationship with CAA Manitoba, a contest is underway on their designated web page for Minnesota, and Winnipeg branches will feature Minnesota destinations, attractions and hotels the entire month. Join us for CAA sales activity October 5-7, 2011 in Winnipeg. Cost to participate is $250 plus hotel and meal expenses. More information is under Canada Promotions of our Industry website.

Winnipeg Sales Mission:  Winnipeg, Manitoba
May 16-18, 2011
Join colleagues interested in expanding Canadian business on our annual Spring sales mission to the Winnipeg area. Major events take place on May 17, 2011, including a breakfast and presentation to area tour operators and media and an evening with staff from the three Winnipeg CAA (Canadian Automobile Association) staff. Our specific event for the CAA evening this year is sure to be a crowd pleaser, and always calls for fun, food and beverage, a chance to present your product, mingle with all and participate in giveaways.
As airfare is often quite expensive in the MSP-Winnipeg market (April 22, 2011: $718), we will again plan to make the trek caravan style on the three-day journey. Cost for the mission is $350 plus lodging and meal expenses ($250 if providing own transportation). Hotel is $124.00 plus tax. The participation fee includes van transportation from the Twin Cities and co-sponsorship of the  tour operator/media breakfast and CAA evening. Participants are also asked to provide prize offerings for the events. If wishing to attend, send a note to Chris Van Meter for this very popular sales mission. Please advise of your interest by Wednesday, May 4, 2011 to attend.

International Markets (more than one country participating)

Rocky Mountain International Round-Up:  Rapid City, SD
April 14-16, 2011
travel expenses only (limited to gateway city partners)

U.S. Travel Association International PowWow:  San Francisco, FL
May 21-25, 2011
$1,500 plus travel expenses

Europe 

Reiseliv:
 Oslo, Norway
January 2011
$2,500 plus travel

Icelandair Mid-Atlantic Seminar: 
Reykjavik, Iceland
February 2011
$930 plus air travel expenses

International Tourism Exchange (ITB):  Berlin, Germany
March 9-13, 2011
$2,500 plus travel

Asia

Active America Travel Summit – China
Las Vegas, NV
April 18-20, 2011
(costs TBD)

Japan Association of Travel Agents
(JATA)
Congress/World Travel Fair:
 Tokyo, Japan
September 2011
$2,500 plus travel expenses

Active America Travel Summit – Japan
North American host city (location TBD)
Fall 2011
(costs TBD)

Emerging Markets

Mundo Continental: 
Houston, TX
Sep 20-22, 2011
$1,300 plus travel expenses (hotel, meals, ground transportation)
800.657.3600 or for information about specific markets in Latin America

FITA: Mexico City, Mexico
Sep 22-25, 2011
approx $3,000 for participation, lodging, meals and ground transportation. Air fare is additional.

For further information contact us in Travel Trade Marketing:
Nordic Countries:  Cheryl Offerman, 651.757.1860, cheryl.offerman@state.mn.us
Germany, UK, Asia:  Paul Sherburne,
651.757.1867,  paul.sherburne@state.mn.us
Canada, France, Latin America:  Chris Van Meter, 651.757.1873, chris.vanmeter@state.mn.us

INTERNATIONAL SALES MISSIONS
Tourism organizations and businesses can participate in sales missions for a fee, plus travel expenses, unless otherwise indicated. If interested in particular markets, contacts above can provide information on options.