2021.01.26 City Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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VI. Business Items A. Twin Cities Gateway Visitors Bureau Presentation Gozola stated Twin Cities Gateway Visitors Bureau is the local convention and visitor's bureau that represents the City of New Brighton and eight other north metro member cities. Its primary purpose is to generate incremental visitation into and throughout these member cities to stimulate tourism -related economic impacts and growth. In addition to New Brighton, the member cities include Anoka, Blaine, Coon Rapids, Fridley, Ham Lake, Lino Lakes, Mounds View, and Shoreview. He explained Steve Markuson and Al Stauffacher have joined the EDC meeting to provide an overview of their organization, and to educate us on how they can be of service to the City moving forward. Steve Markuson, Twin Cities Gateway Bureau, thanked the Commission for their time. He stated it was a pleasure to provide the EDC with a presentation on tourism. He discussed how tourism works for Minnesota noting the industry brought in $16 billion each year, $44 million per day and created 273,000 full and part time jobs. He noted tourism was responsible for 11% of private sector jobs and 18% of the total State sales tax in Minnesota. He reviewed the amount of tourism sales that occurred in Anoka and Ramsey Counties, noting 69% of Minnesota's visitor spending occurred in the metro area. The "Halo" effect of tourism was discussed in further detail. He described what happens when more visitors come to town and how dollars trickle down to lodging, food and beverage, shopping, recreation and transportation. He reviewed the strategic goals for Twin Cities Gateway which was to reach targeted prospects, drive incremental overnight stays, enhance non -peak periods of business, maximize prospect engagement, leverage resources and increase hotel page views. Al Stauffacher, Twin Cities Gateway Bureau, explained he was a proud Irondale graduate and noted he recently served on the Parks Comprehensive Master Plan focus group. He discussed the sports marketing that was occurring in the nine member cities. He described how he markets the Twin Cities Gateway at various marketing shows and events. He commented on the sporting and club events that occur in New Brighton each year. He discussed how he works to bring new sporting events to Minnesota. He stated he works each year to meet with city park directors, golf course heads, college AD's and rink managers in order to discuss availability and upcoming events. He reported he has a great relationship with the NSC and Super Rink. He commented on new events he was working to bring to the Gateway. Discussion included: • The Commission asked if the Gateway had tools in place to make suggestions to cities in order to attract more events. Mr. Markuson stated the Gateway did not have tools in place but he would be more than willing to make comments or suggestions.