The 2017 Legislative session is underway, new and returning legislators are finding their way around the renovated Capitol building and have moved into their offices. The committees have begun working and will soon begin the process of putting together a budget for the next biennium.
Created in 2013, the Minnesota Tourism Growth Coalition (MTGC) is again actively representing the tourism industry at the Minnesota Capitol. The MTGC works to increase the awareness of the importance of the tourism industry in Minnesota and advocates for needed funding growth for Explore Minnesota Tourism (EMT) marketing budget. We also work for continued funding of the major events funding grant pilot program, and funding for technology investments at EMT.
MTGC has worked with Sen. Carrie Ruud (Breezy Point), Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen (Alexandria), Sen. Tom Bakk (Cook), Sen. David Tomassoni (Chisholm) and Sen. Justin Eichorn (Grand Rapids) to sponsor SF 215. The bill provides increased funding of $10 million to EMT for marketing, $730,000 to continue the major events funding grant program and $2 million for EMT technology improvements.
This important legislation has been scheduled for a committee hearing on Monday, January 30th.
Senate Environment and Natural Resources Policy Committee
Monday, January 30, 2017
1:00 – 2:30 p.m. (SF 215 will be heard at approximately 2:00 p.m.)
Room 1200 Minnesota Senate Building
SF 215 (Ruud) Explore Minnesota Tourism Funding
Many of you will be in St. Paul on Monday for the Explore Minnesota Tourism conference. We encourage you to attend the Senate committee hearing….we want to show a high level of tourism industry support for EMT!
Click here for talking points related to the MTGC tourism funding request. Please feel free to use this when talking to your local legislators and others.
The EMT Excellence in Tourism awards dinner in on Tuesday and the MTGC will be recognizing Rep. Dave Baker (Willmar) with the 2016 MTGC “Tourism Leadership Award”. Rep. Baker’s leadership and support led to the funding and creation of the major events funding pilot project passed last session. If you have the opportunity, please thank Rep. Baker for his support.
Thank you for your support of the MTGC and contact us if you have any questions.
For a printable version of this information click here.