Supporting Partner of Minnesota Tourism Growth Coalition
The purpose of the Minnesota Tourism Growth Coalition (MTGC) is to coordinate activities to increase the marketing budget for Explore Minnesota Tourism through the Minnesota Legislature and increase awareness of the importance of the tourism industry in Minnesota. Supporting partners can be for-profit businesses, non-profit organizations, or individuals throughout Minnesota.
· Investing in tourism promotion is critical to Minnesota’s economic health and well being. Minnesota needs to update and diversify its source of promotional funding in order to stay competitive, attract more out-of-state visitors, and grow Minnesota’s tourism business.
· Minnesota is being outspent in tourism marketing by its competitors; the Minnesota tourism office budget ranks 30th in the country and current funding is at 1990 levels at $8.4 million. Regional competitors, including Wisconsin, South Dakota, Illinois, Michigan and Montana, outspend Minnesota in tourism marketing.
· Minnesota leisure and hospitality businesses generate $700 million in sales taxes or 17% of state sales tax revenues. Statewide leisure and hospitality businesses also employ 240,000 Minnesotans from entry level positions to high level managers and business owners.
The goal of the MTGC in the 2013 Legislative session is to increase the EMT budget from about $8 million to $15.7 million for 2014. The revenue generated would be used solely for tourism marketing and promotion, directed at attracting more visitors. (Please refer to the Make Minnesota Tourism Competitive document for more details).
The funds raised will be used to support government affairs and marketing activities to ensure passage of legislation to increase the Explore Minnesota Tourism (EMT) budget in the 2013 legislative session.
Fundraising Goal: $40,000
Yes! I want to help the Minnesota tourism industry grow as a partner of MTGC!
£ Enclosed is my donation of $3,000 £ Enclosed is my donation of $2,000
£ Enclosed is my donation of $1,000 £ Enclosed is my donation of $500
£ Enclosed is my donation of $______
Please make checks payable to MTGC and mail to 124 North 6th Street, Brainerd, MN 56401
Your Name ______
Bus./Org. ______
Address ______
Phone ______Email: ______
Thank you for your support. How do you want to be involved?
£ Keep me informed of progress of the MTGC.
£ I am interested in contributing my time to supporting this effort through contacts to legislators.
£ I am interested in contributing my time to supporting this effort through communication with media.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Lisa Paxton, Brainerd Lakes Chamber, 218-822-7111 or Brad Jones, Rochester CVB, at 507-424-0821