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New Board Members Elected and Award Recipients Announced at Meet Minneapolis Annual Meeting

27 March 2008

Convention Industry Downtown Minneapolis Innovative business Creative Class Educated

(MINNEAPOLIS) – March 27, 2008– Today Meet Minneapolis, the Official Convention and Visitors Association, announced the 2007 annual award recipients and elected new board members.

Newly elected board members
The Meet Minneapolis board is comprised of 36 individuals, representing local businesses, corporations and public organizations. Each individual directs Meet Minneapolis in selling and marketing Minneapolis as a convention, business and leisure destination.

Newly elected board members are:

  • John Buntemeyer, Minneapolis Marriott City Center
  • Andy Haversack, General Mills Interactive Marketing
  • Trish Santini, Guthrie Theater

The Nominating Committee selected four individuals to serve a second and final three-year term on the Meet Minneapolis board:

  • John Luke, Hilton Minneapolis Hotel
  • Rob Moor, Minnesota Timberwolves & Lynx
  • Mark Stenglein, Hennepin County Commissioner
  • Kathy Tunheim, Tunheim Partners

2008 Meet Minneapolis officers are:

  • Chair: Jay Novak, publisher and editor, Twin Cities Business Monthly
  • Vice Chair: Lynn Casey, chairman and chief executive officer, Padilla Speer Beardsley, Inc.
  • Secretary: Peter Mihalov, partner, Parasole Restaurant Holdings, Inc.
  • Treasurer: Rob Moor, chief executive officer, Minnesota Timberwolves
  • Immediate past chair: Dave Mona, chairman, Weber Shandwick, and founder of Mona, Meyer, McGrath and Gavin

2007 Award Recipients
Annual awards are presented to individuals and companies that have contributed significantly toward making Minneapolis a more desirable destination for convention business and leisure tourism.

The Lifetime Achievement award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a long-time dedication to the hospitality industry.

Winner: Tom Chase received the Lifetime Achievement award for his lifetime of commitment and dedication to the hospitality industry. A with a 33-year run in the hospitality industry, Tom served as general manager of Marriott City Center, worked as the Minneapolis Area Manager of Marriott Properties and most recently served as Chair of the Minnesota Hotel Association and Chair of Hospitality Minnesota.

OD Gay Award is presented to an organization or individual whose efforts have enhanced the infrastructure of Minneapolis.

Winner: Minnesota Zoo was presented the award for their continuous contribution to the local tourism industry. Currently undergoing a $24 million project which includes a renovation of the Zoo’s central plaza and the construction of Russia’s Grizzly Coast, the Minnesota Zoo is scheduled to open this summer during its 30 year anniversary.

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