Christy Loy has joined Meet Minneapolis as senior vice president of destination sales. Formerly the general manager of the Canopy by Hilton Minneapolis Mill District, she replaced Brent Foerster, who is retiring from Meet Minneapolis after 10 years in the role. Loy joined the Meet Minneapolis team on Feb. 1.
“Loy’s extensive background in the hospitality industry, particularly in hotel management and sales, aligns perfectly with the key responsibilities of this role,” says Meet Minneapolis President and CEO Melvin Tennant in a prepared statement. “She will be instrumental in developing innovative sales strategies and expanding key relationships, ensuring that our tourism industry continues to thrive and grow.”
“As a local travel and hospitality leader, a city resident, and a Minneapolis evangelist, I am intimately attuned to the critical role our destination sales efforts play in our tourism ecosystem,” says Loy. “I am excited to contribute to the sales, development, and strategic planning of Meet Minneapolis to drive revenue growth and expand market share by telling our bold and diverse story. For me, it’s a mission, not a job.”
Loy’s long tenure in the hotel industry includes past general manager roles with Minneapolis hotels such as W Minneapolis – The Foshay and The Chambers Hotel. Prior to that, she served as the multisite general manager for dual lifestyle hotel brands Aloft & Element Boston Seaport. In all, Loy has spent more than 20 years in the hotel industry.
Locally, Loy has deep connections with the tourism and hospitality community through roles leading the Greater Minneapolis Hotel Association and serving as the secretary/treasurer of the board of Meet Minneapolis.
“A national search firm was used, and a selection committee of current board members and key stakeholders viewed her hotel leadership experience and drive for building organizational culture and inclusion as significant factors in selecting Loy,” adds Tennant. “Her passion and expertise align with our mission to drive economic and social prosperity for our city by attracting visitors, meetings, and events. I am excited to have Loy join an already stellar team.”
“I know experiences make memories,” says Loy. “People do business with people they like. And Minneapolis is still an undiscovered treasure for many people in the world. I look forward to working with the Meet Minneapolis team to bring even more meetings and events, large conventions, and key sporting events to our city—and to be the destination of choice for tens of millions of travelers in the years to come.”
