Team Up with Explore Minnesota to Maximize Your Minnesota Grown Membership!

EXPLORE MINNESOTA TOURISM

Agri-tourism is an important and under-represented segment of tourism in Minnesota. You can leverage the powerful Explore Minnesota brand to amplify your business, your marketing, and stay up to date on travel industry news and trends. You are producers and creators that make up the fabric of Minnesota and embody the truest meaning of “Minnesota Made”.

Here’s a little about Explore Minnesota and opportunities for you to get involved.

VISION

To be a top 10 destination for extraordinary travel in all four seasons.

MISSION

We support Minnesota's economy and promote sustainable travel by welcoming all to experience our diverse cultures and destinations through innovative marketing, industry partnerships and unique storytelling.

POSITION

We lead Minnesota's travel industry by collaborating with partners and stakeholders to market our state for the economic benefit of all Minnesotans.

Industry Opportunities

There are many ways to be involved with Explore Minnesota, from grants and partnerships to co-op marketing and social media. Many of our opportunities are listed below or reach out to or refer to the EMT Industry Website at any time. Our regional staff can answer questions and be your conduit to appropriate program staff.

Our Marketing

More than ever, travelers want to immerse themselves in the local culture of the destinations they visit. We love sharing the unique stories of Minnesota. Our state is diverse and dynamic with abundant natural beauty, a vibrant culture and a spirit that is optimistic, curious and adventurous. Explore Minnesota invites travelers to explore our iconic destinations and discover our hidden gems.

Our marketing strategy is to elevate awareness of our great state using tactics that inspire and encourage engagement and exploration. Our popular hashtag #OnlyinMN attracts conversation and is a point of pride. Check out Explore Minnesota’s latest campaign.

Tourism Industry Research

Explore Minnesota provides a variety of timely research and reports of interest to the tourism industry. This information includes profiles of Minnesota travelers, tourism industry survey results, sales tax and jobs reports, and much more. Sales tax and employment information for Minnesota’s leisure and hospitality sector – by county and region – helps convey the positive economic impact of tourism.

Industry News Weekly E-Newsletter

Our Industy News e-newsletter provides the tourism industry with timely information on marketing opportunities, travel and industry trends, webinars and other relevant news. It’s the best way to stay up-to-date on industry news. Sign up to receive the weekly newsletter at https://mn.gov/tourism-industry/resources/industry-news/.

News of broad interest to the tourism industry can be submitted for possible inclusion to Lisa Havelka at lisa.havelka@state.mn.us | 507-389-2683.

YOUR BUSINESS ON EXPLOREMINNESOTA.COM

Business and Event Listings

As a powerful extension of the Explore Minnesota brand, exploreminnesota.com inspires and connects travelers with a vast amount of searchable travel information throughout Minnesota.

Our extensive Explore Minnesota Extranet database features thousands of tourism businesses, organizations and events. Travel counselors and other staff use this information to provide customized travel planning for consumers.

Robust free listings are available to attractions, accommodations, eating and drinking establishments, events and tourism promotion organizations (such as chambers and visitors bureaus). Listings can include general information about your business or event, descriptive copy, photos, videos, social channel sharing, links to your website, a Google map, TripAdvisor ratings and more!

For more information on listings and qualifications, see exploreminnesota.com/ourwebsite.

To set up a new listing account on the Explore Minnesota Extranet, visit exploreminnesota.com/extranet.

Business listing questions, contact Anne Paterson at anne.paterson@state.mn.us | 651-539-5103.

Website Feed

The website feed builder is a free tool that allows you to easily add Minnesota travel information pulled from exploreminnesota.com to your own website. The website feed can be customized to display lodging, attractions or events for a city, county or region. Instructions and tips are provided at exploreminnesota.com/ourwebsite.

Linking to Our Website

A reciprocal link will increase the likelihood of exploreminnesota.com AND your organization’s ranking in search engines – potentially increasing your traffic from organic search results. In addition, linking to quality sites that are relevant to your content enhances a visitor’s overall experience on your website.

Advertising Opportunities

Exploreminnesota.com features a mobile-first, content-centric design to inspire travelers to discover all there is to see and do across our great state. Through this website, you will be able to reach highly qualified and engaged leisure visitors through advertising opportunities, including banner ads, featured business listings, lead generation and e-newsletter advertising. Please contact Nicole Lalum at nicole.lalum@state.mn.us | 218-316-3330.

COOPERATIVE MARKETING

The co-op marketing program is a great way to stretch your marketing dollars, try a new/emerging tactic at less of a risk or get into a prominent publication/run a campaign that perhaps your budget doesn't allow on its own.

The program is available to all Minnesota tourism-related businesses, such as: convention and visitors bureaus, chambers of commerce, tourism bureaus, lodging properties, attractions, outdoor recreation outfitters, theater/performing arts groups, museums, sightseeing companies, destination retailers, golf courses, hospitality businesses and events open to the public.

For assistance, contact Derek Ramthun at derek.ramthun@state.mn.us | 612-231-3889.

ADVERTISING

Print

Explore Minnesota produces and distributes a variety of high-caliber print publications —from annual publications like the Minnesota Travel Guide to its more targeted Golf and Fishing guides —and we’re proud to offer competitively priced ad space to our industry partners. To place an ad in these publications, look for details on deadlines and investments in EMT Express or contact your regional coordinator.

Digital

In addition to free listings (see above), there are paid opportunities for featured business listings and banner advertising both on the website and in e-newsletters to draw travelers to your destination.

Native Banner Advertising

The new native advertising model on exploreminnesota.com is based on impressions over time and allows you to target your message by site content, season or geography.

Featured Listings

Available for Destination Marketing Organizations (dmos) and tourism businesses only, featured listings are displayed in a top-tier random sort order with premium positioning.

E-newsletters

Align your banner advertisement with highly engaged audiences in our monthly Travel, monthly Outdoors and weekly Events e-newsletters.

For more information on paid opportunities, visit exploreminnesota.com/ourwebsite or contact your regional coordinator.

DIGITAL ASSETS

Logos, Graphics, Photos and Video

Explore Minnesota’s official logos and social media graphics are available to you free of charge for use in your advertising campaigns.

We can also provide you with photos and videos of activities and destinations across the state. For access to our extensive collection of digital assets, please contact Melanie Graves at melanie.graves@state.mn.us | 651-757-1870.

Share Your Images

Explore Minnesota is always in need of high-resolution, professional-quality images and videos of your destinations, attractions, events and other tourism offerings. Explore Minnesota may use these assets in print publications, on exploreminnesota.com, in social media posts, in advertising and in a variety of other ways. Explore Minnesota may also share them with media outlets for potential use in articles, blog posts and TV segments about Minnesota. To submit your multimedia assets for consideration, please contact Melanie Graves at melanie.graves@state.mn.us | 651-757-1870.

Editorial Content

Explore Minnesota produces editorial content for all of its print publications and exploreminnesota.com. Information and travel news about destinations and attractions, and suggestions for story ideas, are welcome. Please send ideas to Andrew Parks at andrew.parks@state.mn.us | 651-757-1871.

Social Media

Explore Minnesota is active on major social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok. Tourism businesses and destinations are encouraged to interact with Explore Minnesota by using our popular hashtag, #OnlyinMN, which has been used more than 1 million times and counting! Watch EMT Express for additional opportunities to get involved, including seasonal campaigns, co-op programs and more. For more information, please contact Caitlin Hannah at caitlin.hannah@state.mn.us | 651-757-1874.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Annual Tourism Conference

The Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference is the annual learning opportunity designed specifically for the Minnesota tourism industry. This educational event includes national keynote speakers, topical breakout sessions, networking and plenty of fresh and actionable ideas. Conference information, including sponsorships and hosting a future conference in your community, is available at exploreminnesota.com/conference.

Educational Programs

Educational programs on various topics of interest to the state’s travel industry are often offered in conjunction with regional meetings and industry association meetings and through tourism partner organizations. Watch for these opportunities in EMT Express and on the industry website.

EXPLORE MINNESOTA RESOURCE GUIDE