The Minnesota Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus (MACVB) advocates for Minnesota’s tourism industry, lobbying state and local government in efforts to strengthen tourism marketing budgets statewide.
MACVB also campaigns for an increased tourism marketing grant budget for Explore Minnesota Tourism. Executive Director Deb McMillan explains, “These grant dollars are important to MACVB members’ tourism marketing efforts and support communities in every corner of Minnesota. Grant dollars are limited and competitive, so we work closely with Explore Minnesota Tourism to increase the grant budget.”
Directly and indirectly, these efforts bolster the meetings and events industry in the state. McMillan notes, “Many members either have on staff or work closely with meeting and event planners from convention centers, hotels, and meeting venues. It is customary for MACVB members to include those venues and staff in our lobbying efforts.”
