October 2017

WOW!  WHAT A FANTASTIC ANNUAL MEETING!

Thanks to all of you who were able to make it to our Annual meeting. It was another successful event, with great educational programming, a message from John Edman and Explore Minnesota Tourism, and solid, in-depth conversations about our public policy issues, and some wonderful peer-to-peer networking and idea-sharing. Thanks again to all for taking part.

Of course, it would not be an Annual Meeting without a formal business meeting, and I am happy to report that our organization is in good condition. 2017 Highlights so far include:

• We are in a solid financial position.
  Our Silent Auction (conducted last February at the EMT Conference) met budget expectations.
• We changed from an Executive Director position to a management company model. Because this took several months to enact, we saved dollars earmarked for the vacancy.
• Membership numbers remained solid and our revenues reflected this.
• Our two main events, (June’s) Education Conference and the (October) Annual Meeting each were well attended and sponsored.
• Due to the departure of our Executive Director last December, the board was evaluated the position and what we should do going forward. We hired a new Management Company, Dowell Management, to replace our Executive Director. This model not only provides us with the functions of the Executive Director, but also the support we need with back-of-house tools for the successful operation of our organization.
• We made a minor change to the bylaws allowing for two, 2-year overlapping board terms, instead of four, 1-year terms.
• We welcomed and recognized Dee Schutte, from Dowell Management, as our new Executive Director
• We recognized and thanked our Capitol Representative, Luci Botzek, for her service to our organization

We recognized and thanked those off-going board members for their time, talents, and dedication to the organization, while they served on the board of directors:

• Amie Burrill, Experience Burnsville
• Megan Christianson, Visit Grand Rapids
• Shelly Loberg, Explore Edina

We elected and welcomed new board members who will begin their service in January:

• Becky Bakken, Discover St. Louis Park
• Katie Godfrey, Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism
• Lisa Peterson, Northfield Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Anna Tanski, Visit Duluth

We elected and welcomed back to the board:

• Stephanie Busiahn, Fairmont Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Brent Cory, Eagan Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Joe Henry, Lake of the Woods Tourism
• Nort Johnson, Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism
• Anna Thill, Visit Mankato

We elected the following individuals to serve as our officers on the Executive Committee of the board:

• 2018 Chair of the Board, Joe Henry, Lake of the Woods Tourism
• 2018 Vice Chair, Stephanie Busiahn, Fairmont Convention & Visitors Bureau
• 2018 Secretary/Treasurer Nort Johnson, Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism
• 2018 Immediate Past Chair of the Board, Dave Looby, Minneapolis Northwest Tourism (appointed)

There are great things ahead for our organization! Get involved!