MINNEAPOLIS
Bloomington CVB, Meet Minneapolis, Visit Saint Paul and Mall of America recently announced the launch of 30 Signature Experiences across the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area.
Signature Experiences is a collection of new and unique tours, performances and demonstrations that offer groups exclusive and interactive activities, ranging from outdoor adventure to culinary arts, to arts and culture. The new experience offerings will drive visitation to the four destinations for conventions, meetings and groups. Meet Minneapolis launched their Go Minneapolis Signature Experience program in fall 2013 with 19 experiences as a first phase of the rollout, including some at the Mall of America.
The other destinations joined for this second phase, adding to and enhancing the program to create a new collection of Signature Experiences for visitors and residents alike.
“Partners from our first round of Signature Experiences experienced such positive results that it was natural for expansion to occur,” said Melvin Tennant, president and CEO, Meet Minneapolis. “We are pleased that we can work with our friends from Saint Paul, Bloomington and [the] Mall of America.”
Examples of some of the unique, new experiences include:
- Como Zoo: Behind the Scenes, where visitors hear stories from Como’s past, make a treat for polar bears, feed a giraffe and meet one of the many zookeepers.
- Saint Paul Saints: Saint for a Day, where groups will take the field and see individuals’ names in lights at CHS Field, just like a member of the St. Paul Saints. The visit includes a tour of CHS Field, team work out, official jersey, Saints-issued cap and a meal.
- Spoonriver: Harvest Your Health, where attendees will become inspired to be healthier by learning about how to support local and sustainable agriculture through a four-course luncheon and discussion at Chef Brenda Langton’s restaurant Spoonriver in Minneapolis’ Mill District.
- Textile Center: Felting Fun, where guests will discover this ancient technique for crafting designs from a variety of wool textures, colors and materials and leave with a hand-made mug rug, colorful coaster or felted artwork.
- VOM FASS Presents: The Art of Delicious Dining | Mediterranean Style, where visitors will experience an interactive tasting, learn the benefits of cooking with oils, vinegars and spices and be inspired by an international small business success story.
- Hard Rock Café: Behind the Scenes, where guests will discover the stories that have built Hard Rock Cafe into an iconic global brand, test their skills with trivia and meet a special guest.
Each partner was selected to take part in the program after research was conducted by Joe Veneto of Opportunities Unlimited. The partner businesses will be represented at the launch event to promote their experiential offerings to hotel sales managers, corporate meeting planners and DMOs.
Each partner implemented Veneto’s experience formula with their organization. This process included scripting, staging, testing and training their docents and guides. The Signature Experiences will be marketed to conferences, small meetings, motor coach groups, family reunions, and more.
“Bloomington is very excited to offer our customers these new experiences and believe it will give them more choices throughout the metro area showcasing all we have to offer,” said Bonnie Carlson, president and CEO, Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Veneto collaborated in conjunction with the four destinations and each partner to engineer these unique tourism experiences. He has worked with a number of destinations throughout the country to create competitive advantage for each that drives visitation and create economic development.
“Saint Paul is thrilled to add these one-of-a-kind experiences,” said Terry Mattson, president & CEO, Visit Saint Paul. “While creating quite a buzz these six offerings highlight the genuineness of our destination.”
More information on each area’s signature experiences is available via the Bloomington and Mall of America, Minneapolis and Saint Paul CVB websites. And planners can also check out our April 2016 coverage for more info on new meeting developments in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area.
