Leslie Zeck was so impressed with Minneapolis this week that she booked a 2027 conference in downtown for a few thousand dental research professionals.
Zeck is among 2,600 event planners and hospitality vendors at the Minneapolis Convention Center for the Connect Marketplace 2023, which runs Tuesday to Thursday.
"We have a golden opportunity to expose our destination to a large number of meeting planners who might not have come here otherwise," said Melvin Tennant, president and chief executive of the convention and visitors association Meet Minneapolis.
Hotel occupancy hasn't returned to 2019 levels in Minneapolis, largely because of the nationwide business travel slump. But Taylor Swift concerts, Twins games, downtown theater and other events have all drawn visitors this summer, even with three more hotels to fill than a year ago.
Nationally, nearly a quarter of large and small companies said their firms were already back to pre-COVID travel levels, and 34% anticipated a full recovery by the end of 2023, according to a Morgan Stanley survey late last year of 100 global corporate travel managers. Still, another 22% don't think their firms will return to pre-pandemic traveling.
That's why the conference this week was another crucial moment for the region's marketers to showcase the city for the planners who organize conventions and events.
The kickoff night Tuesday centered on a Nicollet Mall block party with Chase & Ovation, a Prince tribute band, at Peavey Plaza. Guests spilled into the Orchestra Hall lobby and Brit's Pub bar. Attendees said they planned dinners at Café Lurcat, Devil's Advocate and Zelo and might even squeeze in a Twins game at Target Field.
"This gives us the opportunity to meet with them face-to-face, especially after COVID," said Leah Wellnitz, sales director for the InterContinental in St. Paul, who came away with some leads.