Media Contacts

Kristen Montag
Minneapolis Convention Center
Convention trade
General Inquiries
Travel and leisure
Local media
612.767.8038

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Meet in Minneapolis

Meet [in] Minneapolis is a sales and marketing initiative led by Meet Minneapolis in partnership with area hotels and meeting venues. It is designed to encourage local corporations to keep their meetings in their own hometown, instead of taking them to other cities. Launching in April 2009, the initiative will use multiple tactics, including one-on-one sales, presentations, events, advertising and other online and offline efforts.

Strategic Plan Overview
Read a summary of what the campaign is about and hopes to achieve.

Meet in Minneapolis overview(PDF)>>

Ad Campaign
Experience the ads that will be running in local business publications, on radio and in downtown Minneapolis skyways. .

Web Section
A section of Minneapolis.org will highlight the assets Minneapolis has to offer corporate meetings.

Booking Incentives
See the details of booking incentives at the Minneapolis Convention Center, hotels and other venues

Press Releases
Read supplemental media materials on this campaign.

Meet in Minnesota press release >>
Other Meet Minneapolis press releases

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Media Assistance

If you are coming Minneapolis to write a story, we can assist with accommodations, logistics, spokespeople and other needs. Contact Kristen Montag.

Executive Staff + Spokespeople

The staff of Meet Minneapolis™, the Official Convention + Visitors Association, are experts in many areas of the tourism and convention industry.

Melvin Tennant
CEO and President

Melvin oversees the day-to-day operations at Meet Minneapolis and iDSS, including the professional and support staff. Melvin serves as the voice of Meet Minneapolis through speaking engagements, civic activities and political council meetings. He has served as president and CEO of Meet Minneapolis since November 2007.

Areas of expertise: Overall direction and goals of the organization, industry trends, innovative solutions, public speaking
Liva Wolf
Senior Vice President of Destination Branding & Strategy

Serving as Senior Vice President of Destination Branding & Strategy, Liva brings a healthful resume with a wide variety of expertise. She is a graduate of the University of Minnesota’s Architecture program and has a background in sports, fashion and entertainment. Joining the Meet Minneapolis team in 2009, Liva has overseen a new advertising initiative that seeks to bring the city’s marketing direction into the 21st century.

Areas of Expertise: Marketing guru, team building and high-profile advertising expert. Her enthusiasm and knowledge are valuable assets to the entire staff.
Leslie Wright
Senior Vice President of Sales + Services

With more than 20 years of sales and management experience in the hospitality industry, Wright joined Meet Minneapolis in 2009. She oversees the destination sales and services staff at Meet Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Convention Center. She also manages all destination services functions to ensure maximum customer satisfaction and repeat business.

Areas of Expertise: Hotel information—occupancy, new development; convention bookings, multi-cultural meetings, industry-wide convention travel trends; Meet Minneapolis destination services
Bill Deef
Vice President of International Relations

Bill and his department promote Minneapolis as a viable travel destination to tour operators, individual tourists, media and niche markets in order to attract international leisure travelers. Since 1987, Deef has made significant contributions to the Minnesota tourism industry—from serving as a chair of the Washburn Academy of Hospitality and Tourism to working as a liaison for Minneapolis's sister city program.

Areas of expertise: Minneapolis Saint Paul's international travel markets, Minneapolis sister cities, group travel, airline service to and from the market, what attracts travelers to Minneapolis Saint Paul.
Adam Heffron
Director of Sales, Minneapolis Convention Center

As Director of Sales at the Minneapolis Convention Center since 2004, Adam manages the 10-member sales team and builds relationships with area hotels and convention facilities to organize bids for local and national conventions.

Areas of Expertise: Minneapolis Convention Center facility and sales, Sales management and team building; relationship building with clients and employees
Jeff Johnson
Executive Director

Jeff was named Executive Director in 2010 after joining the Convention Center in 2004 and managing Guest Services and as Director of Event Services. Jeff brings an event-focused background to this position, which he has cultivated from an employee-focused and client-centered approach to management. His varied event experience includes a background in professional and collegiate sports, arenas, stadiums, concerts, special events and the convention industry. Under Jeff’s leadership, as a multi-use facility, the Convention Center will be focused on providing opportunities for our clients to create successful events through our experienced staff, world-class facility and great community.

Areas of Expertise: crowd and sports management, Convention Center event operations, technology services, event coordination, guest and security/safety services.
Kristen Montag
Marketing Communication Manager

Kristen is responsible for public and media relations at Meet Minneapolis. She serves as the primary liaison between Meet Minneapolis and local and national media while managing marketing communications for the Minneapolis Convention Center and convention business. Kristen has been at Meet Minneapolis since March 2009.

Areas of Expertise: Minneapolis Convention Center facility updates and general operations, upcoming conventions booked by Meet Minneapolis, general Minneapolis hotel, travel and leisure information, all general inquiries or to schedule interviews with anyone at Meet Minneapolis or the Minneapolis Convention Center. Contact Kristen at 612-767-8038.

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Media Contacts

Keep Up to Date

Meet in Minneapolis

Strategic Plan Overview
Read a summary of what the campaign is about and hopes to achieve.

Ad Campaign
Experience the ads that will be running in local business publications, on radio and in downtown Minneapolis skyways. .

Web Section
A section of Minneapolis.org will highlight the assets Minneapolis has to offer corporate meetings.

Booking Incentives
See the details of booking incentives at the Minneapolis Convention Center, hotels and other venues

Press Releases
Read supplemental media materials on this campaign.

Media Assistance

Executive Staff + Spokespeople

Sign Up for E-mail on the latest Minneapolis Deals and News

Visitor Information Packet

612.767.8000

Book Your Hotel Online

Media Contacts

Keep Up to Date

Meet in Minneapolis

Strategic Plan Overview Read a summary of what the campaign is about and hopes to achieve.

Ad Campaign Experience the ads that will be running in local business publications, on radio and in downtown Minneapolis skyways. .

Web Section A section of Minneapolis.org will highlight the assets Minneapolis has to offer corporate meetings.

Booking IncentivesSee the details of booking incentives at the Minneapolis Convention Center, hotels and other venues

Press Releases Read supplemental media materials on this campaign.

Media Assistance

Executive Staff + Spokespeople

Sign Up for E-mail on the latest Minneapolis Deals and News

Visitor Information Packet

612.767.8000

Strategic Plan Overview
Read a summary of what the campaign is about and hopes to achieve.

Ad Campaign
Experience the ads that will be running in local business publications, on radio and in downtown Minneapolis skyways. .

Web Section
A section of Minneapolis.org will highlight the assets Minneapolis has to offer corporate meetings.

Booking Incentives
See the details of booking incentives at the Minneapolis Convention Center, hotels and other venues

Press Releases
Read supplemental media materials on this campaign.