The eastern Twin Cities suburb of Woodbury recently launched its destination marketing organization (DMO), Destination: Woodbury, in fall 2023. Eric Satre, destination marketing manager for the organization, came on board last May. “The exciting thing is this is a brand-new DMO, so it’s really a blank slate,” Satre says, describing his work developing the organization from the ground up. But blank does not mean “empty,” and Satre has been developing tools to promote the thriving city of Woodbury since his hiring, including the launch of the organization’s website and branding in early April. Satre adds, “We have top-tier facilities and venues for meetings, events, and tournaments, plus the city is easy to get to, easy to get around, and has ample free parking.”
Vibe: Satre describes Woodbury as a “convenient gateway to the Twin Cities,” noting that it is 17 miles from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and 10 miles east of downtown St. Paul. It is a modern city rich with natural beauty, including 60 parks encompassing 3,600 acres, eight lakes, and 180 miles of trails.
Transportation: All major airlines serve Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, which is a hub for Delta Air Lines and Sun Country Airlines. In late March, Metro Transit launched the Metro Gold Line bus rapid transit line from Woodbury to downtown St. Paul, with connections via Metro Green Line light-rail trains to Minneapolis and beyond. Once in Wood-bury, visitors can take advantage of Metro Transit’s convenient ride-sharing service, Metro Micro, to move around the city.
Venues: Central Park, a community hub, reopens this fall after a $40 million renovation. It includes versatile meeting space for up to 325 attendees seated, catering, free parking, and a visitors center. M Health Fairview Sports Center is one of the largest multiuse sports facilities in the state and contains 90,000 square feet of turf in its indoor Field House. Stylish venue Sweet Magnolias is suitable for smaller gatherings of up to 40 people.
Hotels: Woodbury has nine hotels and 1,035 hotel rooms. The largest hotels with event space are the Sheraton St. Paul Woodbury Hotel, a full-service Marriott hotel; the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Woodbury, MN; and the Courtyard St. Paul Woodbury. The Court-yard has the largest meeting space, with its 3,000-square-foot Rivers Ballroom.
Restaurants: Angelina’s Kitchen, with Italian fare, has event space and a catering menu. Southern Social serves up fried green tomatoes, jambalaya, and many more Southern delicacies. Hazelwood Food + Drink plates comfort food, including wood-fired pizzas, burgers, and pasta specialties. For the thirsty, Northern Taphouse caters to diverse tastes with its many beers, including Belgian-style witbier and multiple India pale ales.
Must-Sees & -Dos: “If you really like golf, we have you taken care of,” notes Satre. Places to tee up in Woodbury include Prestwick Golf Club and Eagle Valley Golf Course, as well as simulation facilities like Birdi Golf, X-Golf Woodbury, and—coming this fall—Topgolf. Woodbury also is a Twin Cities shopping destination, containing retail centers Tamarack Village, Valley Creek Mall, Woodbury Village, and Woodbury Lakes.
