2019 MACVB Annual Conference

Description

The MACVB 2019 Annual Conference, hosted by the Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, connects you with like-minded tourism professionals.  Our goal is to arm you with the resources and strategies to make your organization ready for the future – to grow and adapt in a changing industry.  The event provides an opportunity to gather for learning, networking and leadership.  Whether you’re a seasoned exec or a novice; or an urban, suburban, resort, or other CVB; large or small – you’ll come away new skills, ideas and tips that you can use when you go back home.

Agenda: 

Tuesday, October 1

1:00 p.m. Registration and Vendor Expo

1:30 p.m.    Welcome & Opening Remarks

1:40 p.m. Working with Community Stakeholders – What Could Your Model Look Like?

Tourists view tourism destination as one whole composed of different elements -- like a puzzle comprised of different pieces. Tourism is a complex phenomenon and as such it involves different parties which can be viewed as stakeholders. Each of them has its own specific interests and cam be viewed as the “piece of the puzzle”. If one piece does not fit “the puzzle”, tourist’s experience is spoiled.  There are a number of benefits (and risks) for every stakeholder in tourism.  Applying a stakeholder approach can result in greater synergy, planning and organization of events, coherence among diverse organizations in terms of activities and greater involvement in the decision-making process.

In this interactive session, you’ll hear examples of stakeholder models for CVB/CMOs from your peers.  This session will help you develop your own stakeholder model and understand its purpose and form. 

Facilitated by Nort Johnson (Faribault Chamber of Commerce and Tourism), Joe Henry (Lake of the Woods Tourism), Anna Thill (Visit Mankato) and Bill Deef (Meet Minneapolis)

3:00 p.m. Break

3:15 p.m. Community Stakeholders Panel

What do your community stakeholders want from your organization?  How do you find out?

4:00 p.m. Adjourn for dinner/networking hosted by Faribault Chamber of Commerce (details will be provided at the conference) 

Wednesday, October 2 (Breakfast on your own.)

9:00 a.m. CEO/Executive Roundtable (for CEO, executive director and senior management staff only)

9:00 a.m.     Staff Roundtable (for marketing, event, administrative, membership and other staff)

The roundtable format has been popular among attendees! Bring your burning questions and challenges – someone will be able to give you advice, guidance and new approaches.

10:30 a.m. Tourism Districts:  What are they?  What do they do?  Are they good for Minnesota?  What’s at risk?

You may have heard about TID’s that are in place in communities across the country.  Here’s the opportunity to get smart about what they are and to discuss the implications for Minnesota.

Featuring John Lambeth, Civitas Advisors.

John Lambeth, attorney and Civitas’ President & CEO, specializes in developing unique funding strategies for tourism and travel promotion. He has over twenty years of experience working with destination marketing organizations and state travel offices. Whether adopting enabling legislation, building support among businesses and electeds, or guiding the formation process, Mr. Lambeth is the expert in tourism district creation. He has assisted in over 300 improvement districts, including 177 tourism focused districts, and helped create the first property-based improvement districts in California.

12:00 p.m. MACVB Annual Member Meeting/Lunch Members will elect 2020 Directors and Officers.

Keynote Address Featuring John Edman, Director Explore Minnesota

Growing Tourism in Minnesota

1:00 p.m. General Session: Public Policy Primer:  Looking Out To 2020

MACVB lobbyists, Todd Hill and Tony Kwilas, represent our association at the State Capitol. Alongside MACVB Public Policy Committee Chair, Bill Deef, you’ll gain insight into how the State Legislature works and why what happens in Saint Paul (or Plymouth, or Sleepy Eye, or any other community matters to you, your CVB/DMO and your community.  This session will include a look into the future, the MACVB platform, predictions and perils.

2:30 p.m.    General Session:  NEW RELEASE!  Webinar Series Preview

You asked for information to help early and mid-level CVB/DMO executives learn about the “business”.  And (working with the University of Tourism Center) we’re ready to deliver.  Cynthia Messer, Director of the Tourism Center, will reveal the six-part webinar series to be launched in November of this year.  MACVB members will have first access to the product.

3:30 p.m.    Closing Remarks & Adjourn