We Need You as a Supporting Partner of
Minnesota Tourism Growth Coalition
Download a printable form or complete the online form and receive an emailed invoice.
The Minnesota Tourism Growth Coalition (MTGC) is an industry-led organization established in 2013 to expand tourism and grow tourism funding at our State Capitol.
The work of the MTGC has been critical in securing increases in the Explore Minnesota Tourism (EMT) marketing and promotion budget in multiple legislative sessions. MTGC led the effort to secure state funding for the creation of the Major Tourism Events grant program to support tourism events across the state of Minnesota, in every size community, in 2016 and 2017. Events shine a spotlight on Minnesota and attract first-time visitors who return for both leisure and business.
MTGC has taken the message to the Minnesota Capitol telling state elected officials “Tourism is the Front Door to Economic Development.” During the legislative session, MTGC members and lobbyists testified at multiple committee hearings in the House and Senate advocating for tourism funding. We met individually with members of the Legislature and recognized tourism supporters at the EMT Annual Conference. These efforts resulted in funding increases for tourism. Even with these successes, Minnesota continues to lag behind budgets of our competitors.
2019 Objective: In the next legislative session, the Governor and Minnesota Legislature will adopt a tourism budget for the next two years.
- MTGC will be the lead voice advocating for increased tourism funding during the legislative session.
- EMT is requesting an annual increase of $5.768 million to the base budget and expanding the events program to $1 million each year in the next biennium.
- MTGC will work with Legislators to increase visibility of the tourism and hospitality sector at the Capitol.
- MTGC will continue educating elected officials about the economic benefits from tourism investment
As partners, we all benefit when tourism is valued at the Minnesota Capitol! The MTGC can only succeed with support from the hospitality industry.
Thank you to all the current, past, and future MTGC members! We ask that you consider a financial commitment supporting the future work of the MTGC.
If you have any questions on how to join our effort, please contact any of these local MTGC members or contact us:
MTGC President – Anna Tanski, Visit Duluth, (218) 625-8103 or [email protected]
MTGC Vice President – Terry Mattson, Visit Saint Paul, (651) 265-4902 or [email protected]
MTGC Secretary – Megan Christensen, Visit Grand Rapids, (218) 326-9607 or [email protected]
MTGC Treasurer – Luci Botzek, Minnesota Ski Areas Association, (651) 293-9295 or [email protected]
MTGC Leadership Team – Anna Thill, Visit Mankato, (507) 385-6664 or [email protected]
MTGC Leadership Team – Paul Larsen, Ed-Ventures, Inc., (507) 281-9747 or [email protected]
MTGC Legislative Representative – Sarah Psick, (952) 200-4400 or [email protected]